How to Execute simple Linux Command from controller?

Folks,

   I am new to rails and have not found out how to do this. What I am trying to do is execute a Linux command from one of my controllers. For example, I've tried these 2 methods. Both result in a the web-page to hang forever. I get NO response back.

   The question I have is, how do I execute a Linux command and then parse the output from this command to take further action. Much appreciated.

def restore1     render_text `uname -a`   end

      or

def restore2     io = IO.popen("uname -a")     output = io.read     io.close end

Pete M.