Linux From Scratch - Version r12.0-209

Chapter 8. Installing Basic System Software

8.81. Sysvinit-3.08

The Sysvinit package contains programs for controlling the startup, running, and shutdown of the system.

Approximate build time: less than 0.1 SBU
Required disk space: 4.5 MB

8.81.1. Installation of Sysvinit

First, apply a patch that removes several programs installed by other packages, clarifies a message, and fixes a compiler warning: 

patch -Np1 -i ../sysvinit-3.08-consolidated-1.patch

Compile the package: 

make

This package does not come with a test suite.

Install the package: 

make install

8.81.2. Contents of Sysvinit

Installed programs: bootlogd, fstab-decode, halt, init, killall5, poweroff (link to halt), reboot (link to halt), runlevel, shutdown, and telinit (link to init)

Short Descriptions

bootlogd

Logs boot messages to a log file

fstab-decode

Runs a command with fstab-encoded arguments

halt

Normally invokes shutdown with the -h option, but when already in run-level 0, it tells the kernel to halt the system; it notes in the file /var/log/wtmp that the system is going down

init

The first process to be started when the kernel has initialized the hardware; it takes over the boot process and starts all the processes specified in its configuration file

killall5

Sends a signal to all processes, except the processes in its own session; it will not kill its parent shell

poweroff

Tells the kernel to halt the system and switch off the computer (see halt)

reboot

Tells the kernel to reboot the system (see halt)

runlevel

Reports the previous and the current run-level, as noted in the last run-level record in /run/utmp

shutdown

Brings the system down in a secure way, signaling all processes and notifying all logged-in users

telinit

Tells init which run-level to change to