An alternative to systemd
Command Line – runit
© Lead Image © Sergey Nivens, 123RF.com
If you find systemd needlessly complicated, runit offers an easy-to-use, minimal init alternative.
On Unix-like systems like Linux, init is the first process to run during bootup, and the one that controls all other processes. For years, most distributions have used SysVinit, an init inspired by the one used in Unix System V. However, in 2012-15, the majority of distributions switched to systemd, which not only provides init services, but an administrative overlay of the entire operating system. Since then, a variety of simpler inits have been written by those who find systemd needlessly complicated. One of the best-known of these alternative inits is Gerrit Pape's runit [1], a collection of utilities designed to be a minimal and easy-to-use init system.
Runit boots and shuts down a system in three stages. Like SysVinit, runit uses runlevels, but, by default, it only uses two: default, which runs all the services linked in /var/service, and single, which is used for rescue and recovery. Other runlevels can be added if desired [2].
Runit's structure offers several advantages:
[...]
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
-
Fedora Continues 32-Bit Support
In a move that should come as a relief to some portions of the Linux community, Fedora will continue supporting 32-bit architecture.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 Drops bcachefs
After a clash over some late fixes and disagreements between bcachefs's lead developer and Linus Torvalds, bachefs is out.
-
ONLYOFFICE v9 Embraces AI
Like nearly all office suites on the market (except LibreOffice), ONLYOFFICE has decided to go the AI route.
-
Two Local Privilege Escalation Flaws Discovered in Linux
Qualys researchers have discovered two local privilege escalation vulnerabilities that allow hackers to gain root privileges on major Linux distributions.
-
New TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300
The TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen10 offers serious power that is ready for your business, development, or entertainment needs.
-
Danish Ministry of Digital Affairs Transitions to Linux
Another major organization has decided to kick Microsoft Windows and Office to the curb in favor of Linux.
-
Linux Mint 20 Reaches EOL
With Linux Mint 20 at its end of life, the time has arrived to upgrade to Linux Mint 22.
-
TuxCare Announces Support for AlmaLinux 9.2
Thanks to TuxCare, AlmaLinux 9.2 (and soon version 9.6) now enjoys years of ongoing patching and compliance.
-
Go-Based Botnet Attacking IoT Devices
Using an SSH credential brute-force attack, the Go-based PumaBot is exploiting IoT devices everywhere.
-
Plasma 6.5 Promises Better Memory Optimization
With the stable Plasma 6.4 on the horizon, KDE has a few new tricks up its sleeve for Plasma 6.5.