Linux From Scratch - Version 6.5

Chapter 6. Installing Basic System Software

6.31. Inetutils-1.6

The Inetutils package contains programs for basic networking.

Approximate build time: 0.4 SBU
Required disk space: 17 MB

6.31.1. Installation of Inetutils

Not all programs that come with Inetutils will be installed. However, the Inetutils build system will insist on installing all the man pages anyway. The following patch will correct this situation: 

patch -Np1 -i ../inetutils-1.6-no_server_man_pages-1.patch

Prepare Inetutils for compilation: 

./configure --prefix=/usr --libexecdir=/usr/sbin \
    --localstatedir=/var --disable-ifconfig \
    --disable-logger --disable-syslogd --disable-whois \
    --disable-servers

The meaning of the configure options:

--disable-ifconfig

This option prevents Inetutils from installing the ifconfig program, which can be used to configure network interfaces. LFS uses ip from IPRoute2 to perform this task.

--disable-logger

This option prevents Inetutils from installing the logger program, which is used by scripts to pass messages to the System Log Daemon. Do not install it because Util-linux installs a better version later.

--disable-syslogd

This option prevents Inetutils from installing the System Log Daemon, which is installed with the Sysklogd package.

--disable-whois

This option disables the building of the Inetutils whois client, which is out of date. Instructions for a better whois client are in the BLFS book.

--disable-servers

This disables the installation of the various network servers included as part of the Inetutils package. These servers are deemed not appropriate in a basic LFS system. Some are insecure by nature and are only considered safe on trusted networks. More information can be found at http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/blfs/view/svn/basicnet/inetutils.html. Note that better replacements are available for many of these servers.

Compile the package: 

make

This package does not come with a test suite.

Install the package: 

make install

Move the ping program to its FHS-compliant place: 

mv -v /usr/bin/ping /bin

6.31.2. Contents of Inetutils

Installed programs: ftp, hostname, ping, ping6, rcp, rlogin, rsh, talk, telnet, tftp, and traceroute

Short Descriptions

ftp

Is the file transfer protocol program

hostname

Reports or sets the name of the host

ping

Sends echo-request packets and reports how long the replies take

ping6

A version of ping for IPv6 networks

rcp

Performs remote file copy

rlogin

Performs remote login

rsh

Runs a remote shell

talk

Is used to chat with another user

telnet

An interface to the TELNET protocol

tftp

A trivial file transfer program

traceroute

Traces the route your packets take from the host you are working on to another host on a network, showing all the intermediate hops (gateways) along the way