Category: programming

Python Threads

I had to check the reachability of many IPs so I decided to “write” a python script to get this done quickly (yes, I can use nmap but not in this case). I realized that the script was very slow, even just sending two probes…. so I decided to find something else and this was perfect for me. So thanks for the original author as it helped me a lot. I have never tried python threads before so I was quite happy that it worked so smoothly. I adapted for my needs and this is what I have. I remember reading about threads in golang so it helped to understand what it is doing. But likely I will be able to use this as base for more tasks.

As well, I realized that I havent pushed anything in git and that there are extra security layers in place. So I had to create a new token for being able to push my changes to the repo.

Decorators

Trying to make a small change to a python program in my job, I came across something I didnt know in python and only after reading this article (a couple of times) I managed to understand (ask me again in 3 weeks 🙂 The best definition I could find was actually from other blog reference and actually I think it was more clear to me.

“A decorator is a function that takes another function and extends the behavior of the latter function without explicitly modifying it.”

1 – Function returning a function:

In [7]: def greet(name): 
   ...:     return f"Hello, {name}!" 
   ...: def simon(func): 
   ...:     return func("Simon") 
   ...:                                                                                                                       

In [8]: simon(greet)                                                                                                          
Out[8]: 'Hello, Simon!'

simon is a function that has a function as argument, and calls that function with the argument “Simon”. So the function greet is receiving the argument “Simon” and returns a string with that name.

2 – Functions inside other functions:

In [9]: def respect(maybe): 
   ...:     def congrats(): 
   ...:         return "Congrats, bro!" 
   ...:     def insult(): 
   ...:         return "You're silly!" 
   ...:     if maybe == "yes": 
   ...:         return congrats 
   ...:     else: 
   ...:         return insult 
   ...:                                                                                                                       

In [10]: respect("hola")()                                                                                                    
Out[10]: "You're silly!"

In this case, to execute the returned function you need to use “()” at the end (because respect(“hola”) it is a function!): respect(“hola”)()

Keep in mind you return the function “congrats” and it is not executed. If you return “congrats()” then yes, you get the result of executing congrats.

3 – A function that takes another function and defines a function:

In [1]: def startstop(func): 
   ...:     def wrapper(): 
   ...:         print("Starting...") 
   ...:         func() 
   ...:         print("Finished!") 
   ...:     return wrapper 
   ...: def roll(): 
   ...:     print("Rolling on the floor laughing XD") 
   ...: roll = startstop(roll)                                                                                                

In [2]: roll()                                                                                                                
Starting...
Rolling on the floor laughing XD
Finished!

In [3]:

This case is the same as before, need to use “()” to “execute” roll because it is a function.

4 – With decorator:

In [3]: def startstop(func): 
   ...:     def wrapper(): 
   ...:         print("Starting...") 
   ...:         func() 
   ...:         print("Finished!") 
   ...:     return wrapper 
   ...: @startstop 
   ...: def roll(): 
   ...:     print("Rolling on the floor laughing XD") 
   ...:                                                                                                                       

In [4]: roll()                                                                                                                
Starting...
Rolling on the floor laughing XD
Finished!

In [5]:

So adding the decorator we avoid writing a line with nested functions. That in a more advanced case, it would make the code easier to read.

You can nest decorators and add arguments too.

python-golang-p1

This week I had to update several spreadsheets…. again donkey job, again try to work smarter. So there was a pattern, and I knew I could copy/paste to the spreadsheet all changes (192 changes per file…). So decided to create a python script to generate the output I needed. It was just new hostnames for devices. So it wasnt really difficult. Although I had to search for basic stuff like how to make a for loop in python. That’s what happens when yo dont use thing often.

Anyway, I managed to get my basic python script. And I could copy paste the output to the spreadsheet just fine.

$ cat rename.py 
for x in range(137,141):
    print("router-p1-r" + str(x) + "01")
    print("router-p1-r" + str(x) + "02")
    print("router-p1-r" + str(x) + "03")
    print()
$ 
$ python rename.py 
router-p1-r13701
router-p1-r13702
router-p1-r13703

router-p1-r13801
router-p1-r13802
router-p1-r13803

router-p1-r13901
router-p1-r13902
router-p1-r13903

router-p1-r14001
router-p1-r14002
router-p1-r14003

But now, I have been trying to learn golang (even though I dont master python neither bash….) and I thought this was a basic stuff to try in golang too. So again, I had to search for basic stuff. How to create a range: link. How to concatenate a string and a integer: link.

So managed to get this and looks like it does the same job:

$ cat rename.go 
package main

import "fmt"

func main() {
	for i := 137; i <= 141; i++ {
		fmt.Println(fmt.Sprint("router-p1-r", i, "01"))
		fmt.Println(fmt.Sprint("router-p1-r", i, "02"))
		fmt.Println(fmt.Sprint("router-p1-r", i, "03"))
		fmt.Println()
	}
}
$ 
$ go run rename.go 
router-p1-r13701
router-p1-r13702
router-p1-r13703

router-p1-r13801
router-p1-r13802
router-p1-r13803

router-p1-r13901
router-p1-r13902
router-p1-r13903

router-p1-r14001
router-p1-r14002
router-p1-r14003

router-p1-r14101
router-p1-r14102
router-p1-r14103

So got the same result in both languages. Keep going!

cEOS Netconf – Ncclient

I am still trying to play with / understand Openconfig/YANG/Netconf modelling. Initially I tried to use ansible to configure EOS via netconf but I didnt get very far 🙁

I have found an Arista blog to deal with netconf using the python library ncclient.

This is my adapted code. Keep in mind that I think there is a typo/bug in Arista blog in “def irbrpc(..)” as it should return “snetrpc” instead of “irbrpc”. This is the error I had:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "eos-ncc.py", line 171, in
main()
File "eos-ncc.py", line 168, in main
execrpc(hostip, uname, passw, rpc)
File "eos-ncc.py", line 7, in execrpc
rpcreply = conn.dispatch(to_ele(rpc))
File "xxx/lib/python3.7/site-packages/ncclient/xml_.py", line 126, in to_ele
return x if etree.iselement(x) else etree.fromstring(x.encode('UTF-8'), parser=_get_parser(huge_tree))
AttributeError: 'function' object has no attribute 'encode'

After a couple of prints in “ncclient/xml_.py” I could see “x” was a function but I couldnt understand why. Just by chance I notices the typo in the return.

As well, I couldn’t configure the vxlan interface using XML as per the blog and I had to remove it and add it via a RPC call with CLI commands “intfrpcvxlan_cli”. This is the error I had:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "eos-ncc.py", line 171, in
main()
File "eos-ncc.py", line 168, in main
execrpc(hostip, uname, passw, rpc)
File "eos-ncc.py", line 7, in execrpc
rpcreply = conn.dispatch(to_ele(rpc))
File "xxx/lib/python3.7/site-packages/ncclient/manager.py", line 236, in execute
huge_tree=self._huge_tree).request(*args, **kwds)
File "xxx/lib/python3.7/site-packages/ncclient/operations/retrieve.py", line 239, in request
return self._request(node)
File "xxx/lib/python3.7/site-packages/ncclient/operations/rpc.py", line 348, in _request
raise self._reply.error
ncclient.operations.rpc.RPCError: Request could not be completed because leafref at path "/interfaces/interface[name='Vxlan1']/name" had error "leaf value (Vxlan1) not present in reference path (../config/name)"

So in my script, I make two calls and print the reply:

$ python eos-ncc.py
<rpc-reply xmlns="urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:netconf:base:1.0" message-id="urn:uuid:7b1be88e-36b7-4289-a0d2-396a0f21cf5e"><ok></ok></rpc-reply>
<rpc-reply xmlns="urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:netconf:base:1.0" message-id="urn:uuid:750a50be-3534-442b-bad4-2f8c916afd77"><ok></ok></rpc-reply>

And this is what the logs show:

## first rpc call
2020-08-13T12:52:41.937079+00:00 r01 ConfigAgent: %SYS-5-CONFIG_SESSION_ENTERED: User tomas entered configuration session session630614618267084 on NETCONF (172.27.0.1)
2020-08-13T12:52:42.302111+00:00 r01 ConfigAgent: %SYS-5-CONFIG_SESSION_COMMIT_SUCCESS: User tomas committed configuration session session630614618267084 successfully on NETCONF (172.27.0.1)
2020-08-13T12:52:42.302928+00:00 r01 ConfigAgent: %SYS-5-CONFIG_SESSION_EXITED: User tomas exited configuration session session630614618267084 on NETCONF (172.27.0.1)
2020-08-13T12:52:42.325878+00:00 r01 Launcher: %LAUNCHER-6-PROCESS_START: Configuring process 'HostInject' to start in role 'ActiveSupervisor'
2020-08-13T12:52:42.334151+00:00 r01 Launcher: %LAUNCHER-6-PROCESS_START: Configuring process 'ArpSuppression' to start in role 'ActiveSupervisor'
2020-08-13T12:52:42.369660+00:00 r01 Ebra: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface Vlan100 (VLAN_100), changed state to up
2020-08-13T12:52:42.527568+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-6-WORKER_WARMSTART: ProcMgr worker warm start. (PID=553)
2020-08-13T12:52:42.557663+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-7-NEW_PROCESSES: New processes configured to run under ProcMgr control: ['ArpSuppression', 'HostInject']
2020-08-13T12:52:42.570208+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-7-PROCESSES_ADOPTED: ProcMgr (PID=553) adopted running processes: (SharedSecretProfile, PID=1024) (Lldp, PID=832) (SlabMonitor, PID=555) (Pim, PID=1156) (MplsUtilLsp, PID=902) (Mpls, PID=903) (Isis, PID=1087) (PimBidir, PID=1164) (Igmp, PID=1172) (Acl, PID=920) (StaticRoute, PID=1060) (IgmpSnooping, PID=1030) (IpRib, PID=1064) (Stp, PID=939) (KernelNetworkInfo, PID=940) (Etba, PID=1073) (KernelMfib, PID=1139) (ConnectedRoute, PID=1076) (RouteInput, PID=1080) (EvpnrtrEncap, PID=1082) (McastCommon6, PID=956) (ConfigAgent, PID=702) (Fru, PID=703) (Launcher, PID=704) (Bgp, PID=1089) (McastCommon, PID=834) (SuperServer, PID=836) (OpenConfig, PID=839) (LacpTxAgent, PID=970) (AgentMonitor, PID=845) (Snmp, PID=848) (PortSec, PID=850) (Ira, PID=852) (IgmpHostProxy, PID=1146) (EventMgr, PID=862) (Sysdb, PID=607) (CapiApp, PID=866) (Arp, PID=995) (StpTxRx, PID=871) (KernelFib, PID=1000) (StageMgr, PID=700) (Lag, PID=876) (Qos, PID=1005) (L2Rib, PID=1008) (PimBidirDf, PID=1137) (Tunnel, PID=883) (PimBsr, PID=1150) (Msdp, PID=1142) (BgpCliHelper, PID=1067) (TopoAgent, PID=1017) (Aaa, PID=890) (StpTopology, PID=891) (Ebra, PID=1022) (ReloadCauseAgent, PID=1023)
2020-08-13T12:52:42.586632+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-6-PROCESS_STARTED: 'HostInject' starting with PID=23450 (PPID=553) -- execing '/usr/bin/HostInject'
2020-08-13T12:52:42.604711+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-7-WORKER_WARMSTART_DONE: ProcMgr worker warm start done. (PID=553)
2020-08-13T12:52:42.604786+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-6-PROCESS_STARTED: 'ArpSuppression' starting with PID=23452 (PPID=553) -- execing '/usr/bin/ArpSuppression'
2020-08-13T12:52:42.749880+00:00 r01 HostInject: %AGENT-6-INITIALIZED: Agent 'HostInject' initialized; pid=23453
2020-08-13T12:52:43.102567+00:00 r01 ArpSuppression: %AGENT-6-INITIALIZED: Agent 'ArpSuppression' initialized; pid=23452

## second rpc call
2020-08-13T12:52:43.250995+00:00 r01 ConfigAgent: %SYS-5-CONFIG_SESSION_ENTERED: User tomas entered configuration session session630615932519210 on NETCONF (172.27.0.1)
2020-08-13T12:52:43.465035+00:00 r01 ConfigAgent: %SYS-5-CONFIG_SESSION_COMMIT_SUCCESS: User tomas committed configuration session session630615932519210 successfully on NETCONF (172.27.0.1)
2020-08-13T12:52:43.466480+00:00 r01 ConfigAgent: %SYS-5-CONFIG_SESSION_EXITED: User tomas exited configuration session session630615932519210 on NETCONF (172.27.0.1)
2020-08-13T12:52:43.472728+00:00 r01 Launcher: %LAUNCHER-6-PROCESS_START: Configuring process 'VxlanSwFwd' to start in role 'ActiveSupervisor'
2020-08-13T12:52:43.475470+00:00 r01 Launcher: %LAUNCHER-6-PROCESS_START: Configuring process 'Vxlan' to start in role 'ActiveSupervisor'
2020-08-13T12:52:43.674498+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-6-WORKER_WARMSTART: ProcMgr worker warm start. (PID=553)
2020-08-13T12:52:43.701854+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-7-NEW_PROCESSES: New processes configured to run under ProcMgr control: ['Vxlan', 'VxlanSwFwd']
2020-08-13T12:52:43.714484+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-7-PROCESSES_ADOPTED: ProcMgr (PID=553) adopted running processes: (SharedSecretProfile, PID=1024) (Lldp, PID=832) (SlabMonitor, PID=555) (Pim, PID=1156) (MplsUtilLsp, PID=902) (Mpls, PID=903) (Isis, PID=1087) (PimBidir, PID=1164) (Igmp, PID=1172) (Acl, PID=920) (HostInject, PID=23450) (ArpSuppression, PID=23452) (StaticRoute, PID=1060) (IgmpSnooping, PID=1030) (IpRib, PID=1064) (Stp, PID=939) (KernelNetworkInfo, PID=940) (Etba, PID=1073) (KernelMfib, PID=1139) (ConnectedRoute, PID=1076) (RouteInput, PID=1080) (EvpnrtrEncap, PID=1082) (McastCommon6, PID=956) (ConfigAgent, PID=702) (Fru, PID=703) (Launcher, PID=704) (Bgp, PID=1089) (McastCommon, PID=834) (SuperServer, PID=836) (OpenConfig, PID=839) (LacpTxAgent, PID=970) (AgentMonitor, PID=845) (Snmp, PID=848) (PortSec, PID=850) (Ira, PID=852) (IgmpHostProxy, PID=1146) (EventMgr, PID=862) (Sysdb, PID=607) (CapiApp, PID=866) (Arp, PID=995) (StpTxRx, PID=871) (KernelFib, PID=1000) (StageMgr, PID=700) (Lag, PID=876) (Qos, PID=1005) (L2Rib, PID=1008) (PimBidirDf, PID=1137) (Tunnel, PID=883) (PimBsr, PID=1150) (Msdp, PID=1142) (BgpCliHelper, PID=1067) (TopoAgent, PID=1017) (Aaa, PID=890) (StpTopology, PID=891) (Ebra, PID=1022) (ReloadCauseAgent, PID=1023)
2020-08-13T12:52:43.731810+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-6-PROCESS_STARTED: 'Vxlan' starting with PID=23482 (PPID=553) -- execing '/usr/bin/Vxlan'
2020-08-13T12:52:43.746053+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-7-WORKER_WARMSTART_DONE: ProcMgr worker warm start done. (PID=553)
2020-08-13T12:52:43.746199+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-6-PROCESS_STARTED: 'VxlanSwFwd' starting with PID=23484 (PPID=553) -- execing '/usr/bin/VxlanSwFwd'
2020-08-13T12:52:43.942447+00:00 r01 VxlanSwFwd: %AGENT-6-INITIALIZED: Agent 'VxlanSwFwd' initialized; pid=23487
2020-08-13T12:52:43.974473+00:00 r01 Vxlan: %AGENT-6-INITIALIZED: Agent 'Vxlan' initialized; pid=23485
2020-08-13T12:52:44.310150+00:00 r01 Launcher: %LAUNCHER-6-PROCESS_START: Configuring process 'Fhrp' to start in role 'AllSupervisors'
2020-08-13T12:52:44.512110+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-6-WORKER_WARMSTART: ProcMgr worker warm start. (PID=553)
2020-08-13T12:52:44.538052+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-7-NEW_PROCESSES: New processes configured to run under ProcMgr control: ['Fhrp']
2020-08-13T12:52:44.550918+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-7-PROCESSES_ADOPTED: ProcMgr (PID=553) adopted running processes: (SharedSecretProfile, PID=1024) (Lldp, PID=832) (SlabMonitor, PID=555) (Pim, PID=1156) (MplsUtilLsp, PID=902) (Mpls, PID=903) (Isis, PID=1087) (PimBidir, PID=1164) (Igmp, PID=1172) (Acl, PID=920) (HostInject, PID=23450) (ArpSuppression, PID=23452) (StaticRoute, PID=1060) (IgmpSnooping, PID=1030) (IpRib, PID=1064) (Stp, PID=939) (KernelNetworkInfo, PID=940) (Vxlan, PID=23482) (Etba, PID=1073) (KernelMfib, PID=1139) (ConnectedRoute, PID=1076) (RouteInput, PID=1080) (EvpnrtrEncap, PID=1082) (McastCommon6, PID=956) (ConfigAgent, PID=702) (Fru, PID=703) (Launcher, PID=704) (Bgp, PID=1089) (McastCommon, PID=834) (SuperServer, PID=836) (OpenConfig, PID=839) (LacpTxAgent, PID=970) (AgentMonitor, PID=845) (Snmp, PID=848) (PortSec, PID=850) (Ira, PID=852) (IgmpHostProxy, PID=1146) (EventMgr, PID=862) (Sysdb, PID=607) (CapiApp, PID=866) (Arp, PID=995) (StpTxRx, PID=871) (KernelFib, PID=1000) (StageMgr, PID=700) (VxlanSwFwd, PID=23484) (Lag, PID=876) (Qos, PID=1005) (L2Rib, PID=1008) (PimBidirDf, PID=1137) (Tunnel, PID=883) (PimBsr, PID=1150) (Msdp, PID=1142) (BgpCliHelper, PID=1067) (TopoAgent, PID=1017) (Aaa, PID=890) (StpTopology, PID=891) (Ebra, PID=1022) (ReloadCauseAgent, PID=1023)
2020-08-13T12:52:44.565230+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-7-WORKER_WARMSTART_DONE: ProcMgr worker warm start done. (PID=553)
2020-08-13T12:52:44.565339+00:00 r01 ProcMgr-worker: %PROCMGR-6-PROCESS_STARTED: 'Fhrp' starting with PID=23491 (PPID=553) -- execing '/usr/bin/Fhrp'
2020-08-13T12:52:44.720343+00:00 r01 Fhrp: %AGENT-6-INITIALIZED: Agent 'Fhrp' initialized; pid=23493

I still would like to be able to get the full config via netconf. Just copy/paste the rpc in the ssh shell (like juniper) or maybe using ydk like this. And keep dreaming, to be able to fully configure the switch via netconf/ansible.

Vim + Golang

I am trying to learn a bit of golang (although sometimes I think I should try to master python and bash first..) with this udemy course.

The same way I have pyenv/virtualenv to create python environments, I want to do the same for golang. So for that we have goenv:

Based on goenv install instructions and ex-collegue snipset, this is my goenv snipset in .bashrc:

########################
# Go configuration
########################
#
# git clone -b v0.0.4 https://github.com/wfarr/goenv.git $HOME/.goenv
if [ ! -d "$HOME/.goenv" ]; then
    git clone https://github.com/syndbg/goenv.git $HOME/.goenv
fi

if [ -d "$HOME/.goenv"   ]
then
    export GOENV_ROOT="$HOME/.goenv"
    export PATH="$GOENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"
    if  type "goenv" &> /dev/null; then
        eval "$(goenv init -)"
        # Add the version to my prompt
        __goversion (){
            if  type "goenv" &> /dev/null; then
                goenv_go_version=$(goenv version | sed -e 's/ .*//')
                printf $goenv_go_version
            fi
        }
        #PS1_GO="go:\$(__goversion) "
        export PS1="go:\$(__goversion)|$PS1"
        export PATH="$GOROOT/bin:$PATH"
        export PATH="$PATH:$GOPATH/bin"
    fi
fi

################## End GoLang #####################

From time to time, remember to go to ~.goenv and do a “git pull” to get the latest versions of golang.

Ok, once we can install any golang version, I was thinking about the equivalent to python virtualenv, but it seems it is not really needed in golang. At the moment, I am super beginner so no rush about this.

And finally, as I try to use VIM for everything so I can keep learning, I want to use similar python plugins for golang. So I searched and this one looks quite good: vim-go

So I updated vundle config in .vimrc:

Plugin 'fatih/vim-go', { 'do': ':GoUpdateBinaries' }

Then install the new new plugin once in VIM.

:PluginInstall

or >

:PluginUpdate

There is a good tutorial you can follow to learn the new commands.

I am happy enough with “GoRun”, “GoFmt”, “GoImports”, “GoTest”

Keep practising, Keep learning.

VIM – Indent multiple lines quickly

This is the thing I have to do from time to time and I never remember how to do:

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/235839/indent-multiple-lines-quickly-in-vi

And this what works for me:

Key presses for more visual people:
1- Enter Command Mode:
Escape

2- Move around to the start of the area to indent:
hjkl↑↓←→

3- Start a block:
v

4- Move around to the end of the area to indent:
hjkl↑↓←→

5- Type the number of indentation levels you want
0..9

6- Execute the indentation on the block:
>

Let’s see if I can remember it…

Vim + Python Linters

I was reading an article about tools to write python using VIM with good formatting. I am not a pro-user of VIM neither a pro-python programmer but I would like to be more efficient and write better formatted python code.

So this is the link I was reading and ended here for the specific details.

At the end, my goal is to use more often inside VIM: splits (:sp), nerdtree (file browsing), autocompletion, git and be sure my code is formatted automatically if I make a mistake.

So I enabled most of the plugins from the article although I made some tweaks for me normal usage (I already had enabled some pluggins for jinja2). This is my .vimrc:

set nocompatible              " be iMproved, required
filetype off                  " required

" set the runtime path to include Vundle and initialize
set rtp+=~/.vim/bundle/Vundle.vim

" https://realpython.com/vim-and-python-a-match-made-in-heaven/#syntax-checkinghighlighting
set splitbelow
set splitright
"split navigations
nnoremap  
nnoremap  
nnoremap  
nnoremap  

" Enable folding
set foldmethod=indent
set foldlevel=99
" Enable folding with the spacebar
nnoremap  za

" Automatic formating for tab, whitespace and max 80 chars per line, etc
au BufNewFile,BufRead *.py
    \ set tabstop=4 |
    \ set softtabstop=4 |
    \ set shiftwidth=4 |
    \ set textwidth=79 |
    \ set expandtab |
    \ set autoindent |
    \ set fileformat=unix

highlight BadWhitespace ctermbg=red guibg=darkred
au BufRead,BufNewFile *.py,*.pyw,*.c,*.h match BadWhitespace /\s\+$/

set encoding=utf-8

let python_highlight_all=1

" VUNDLE PLUGINGS

call vundle#begin()
" alternatively, pass a path where Vundle should install plugins
" call vundle#begin('~/some/path/here')

" let Vundle manage Vundle, required
Plugin 'VundleVim/Vundle.vim'
" added nerdtree
Plugin 'scrooloose/nerdtree'

Plugin 'ctrlp.vim'

Plugin 'Jinja'

Plugin 'tmhedberg/SimpylFold'

Plugin 'vim-scripts/indentpython.vim'

Plugin 'vim-syntastic/syntastic'

Plugin 'nvie/vim-flake8'

Plugin 'tpope/vim-fugitive'

Plugin 'Lokaltog/powerline', {'rtp': 'powerline/bindings/vim/'}

" Keep Plugin commands between vundle#begin/end.
" All of your Plugins must be added before the following line
call vundle#end()            " required



filetype plugin indent on    " required
syntax on

nmap  :NERDTreeToggle

" To ignore plugin indent changes, instead use:
"filetype plugin on
"
" Brief help
" :PluginList       - lists configured plugins
" :PluginInstall    - installs plugins; append `!` to update or just :PluginUpdate
" :PluginSearch foo - searches for foo; append `!` to refresh local cache
" :PluginClean      - confirms removal of unused plugins; append `!` to auto-approve removal
"
" see :h vundle for more details or wiki for FAQ
" Put your non-Plugin stuff after this line


au BufNewFile,BufRead *.lmx set filetype=xml
au BufNewFile,BufRead *.dump set filetype=sql
au BufNewFile,BufRead *.j2 set filetype=jinja

"for case-insensitve searches"
set ignorecase

"Override the 'ignorecase' option if the search pattern contains upper"
"case characters.  Only used when the search pattern is typed and"
"'ignorecase' option is on."
set smartcase

" I want to be able to resize the splits quickly so I want the mouse on
set mouse=a

" Always show statusline - This makes powerline always on
set laststatus=2

" autocmd vimenter * NERDTree

BTW, a quick reference for NerdTree (file browser) here.

Let’s see how I get on with these changes.