gistfile1.txt

#!/usr/bin/python

import salt.exceptions
import salt.config
import salt.loader

def status(name='soae'):
     __opts__ = salt.config.minion_config('/etc/salt/minion')
     __salt__ = salt.loader.minion_mods(__opts__)
     __grains__ = salt.loader.grains(__opts__)
     __opts__['grains'] = __grains__

     state = __salt__['service.status'](name)
     return state