Method(s) to execute Scripts for SSH into another Server

[Markess]

I'm about halfway through my Unraid trial, and loving it!  I currently have a low power Atom machine dedicated to turning the other hardware in my home office  (servers, switches, etc.) on/off each day via scripts using Expect, a program that allows for unattended interactive script execution.  I'm hoping to retire the Atom box and consolidate this functionality into my Unraid installation, but am unsure the best method?

 

I know Expect is available in Slackware.  But reading posts here, it seems that it wouldn't be an easy thing to add Expect, and its dependencies, to Unraid for execution of the scripts via Cron?

 

I think this leaves me with running an OS, like Ubuntu or Debian, in a Docker or VM to execute the scripts?  Is there another option I've missed?

 

If a Docker or VM, is there a clear choice in terms of lower resource overhead?  For my use case, I 'd only be using the Docker/VM to execute short scripts to SSH into other hardware several times a day.

 

The Unraid system itself is set up as a file server, with a low power Xeon, and 8GB RAM, so I'm thinking that I'll want the option that requires the least resources.

 

Thank you!

[trurl]

Searching docker hub for "expect" turns up a lot of result, and some look relevant. 

[Markess]

Thanks!  I also just something in the User Scripts help thread.  Says Nerd Tools includes Expect so I can use that as the interpreter with User Scripts.  My Search Fu on the Unraid forums isn't very good yet, I guess! 

[trurl]

38 minutes ago, Markess said:

Nerd Tools includes Expect

So it does, I hadn't noticed.