Managing processes with systemd
Get It Started
Sure, you've heard about systemd, which is rapidly replacing the old System V init system as the go-to service management daemon for the Linux world. But what can you do with systemd really? We'll show you some tricks for improving security, managing processes, and analyzing boot times with systemd.
The systemd service management daemon now comes with Red Hat, Debian, Ubuntu, SUSE, Mageia, Gentoo, Arch, and many other Linux alternatives. You might say systemd has finally arrived, but many users still have questions about what it is and why it is different. This article offers some tips on what you can do with systemd.
If you're running a Linux system with systemd onboard, systemd controls and organizes the entire boot process, starting processes and providing information on how those processes are faring.
Why did the world need another way to start processes in Linux? The fact is, the old System V init service that systemd is replacing is showing some serious signs of age. For instance, System V init can only line up the processes in a strictly sequential and rigid order, as opposed to starting different services simultaneously. Additionally, System V init uses shell scripts that are verbose, but still slow and difficult to read. These init scripts are not really suitable for coordinating processes that run in parallel.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Cairo Dock 3.6 Now Available for More Compositors
If you're a fan of third-party desktop docks, then the latest release of Cairo Dock with Wayland support is for you.
-
System76 Unleashes Pop!_OS 24.04 Beta
System76's first beta of Pop!_OS 24.04 is an impressive feat.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 is Available
Linus Torvalds has announced that the latest kernel has been released with plenty of core improvements and even more hardware support.
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.
-
Fedora Linux 43 Beta Now Available for Testing
Fedora Linux 43 Beta ships with Gnome 49 and KDE Plasma 6.4 (and other goodies).
-
USB4 Maintainer Leaves Intel
Michael Jamet, one of the primary maintainers of USB4 and Thunderbolt drivers, has left Intel, leaving a gaping hole for the Linux community to deal with.
-
Budgie 10.9.3 Now Available
The latest version of this elegant and configurable Linux desktop aligns with changes in Gnome 49.
-
KDE Linux Alpha Available for Daring Users
It's official, KDE Linux has arrived, but it's not quite ready for prime time.
-
AMD Initiates Graphics Driver Updates for Linux Kernel 6.18
This new AMD update focuses on power management, display handling, and hardware support for Radeon GPUs.