rc2(1M)

rc2 -- run commands performed for multi-user environment

Synopsis

/sbin/rc2

Description

This file is executed via an entry in /etc/inittab and is responsible for those initializations that bring the system to a ready-to-use state, traditionally state 2, called the ``multi-user'' state.

The actions performed by rc2 are found in files in the directory /etc/rc.d and files beginning with ``S'' in /etc/rc2.d. These files are executed by /usr/bin/sh in ASCII sort-sequence order. When functions are added that need to be initialized when the system goes multi-user, an appropriate file should be added in /etc/rc2.d.

The functions done by the rc2 command and associated /etc/rc2.d files include:

Setting and exporting the TIMEZONE variable.
Cleaning up (remaking) the /tmp and /var/tmp directories.
Loading the network interface and ports cards with program data and starting the associated processes.
Starting the cron daemon by executing /usr/sbin/cron.
Cleaning up (deleting) uucp locks status, and temporary files in the /var/spool/uucp directory.

Other functions can be added, as required, to support the addition of hardware and software features.

Files

/etc/rc.d
/etc/rc2.d

Usage

Here are some hints about files in /etc/rc.d:

The order in which files are executed is important. Since they are executed in ASCII sort-sequence order, using the first character of the filename as a sequence indicator will help keep the proper order. Thus, files starting with the following characters would be:

[0-9]: very early
[A-Z]: early
[a-n]: later
[o-z]: last

Files in /etc/rc.d that begin with a dot (.) will not be executed. This feature can be used to hide files that are not to be executed for the time being without removing them. The command can be used only by a privileged user.

Files in /etc/rc2.d must begin with an ``S'' or a ``K'' followed by a number and the rest of the filename. Upon entering run level 2, files beginning with ``S'' are executed with the start option; files beginning with ``K'', are executed with the stop option. Files beginning with other characters are ignored.

Examples

The following are prototypical files found in /etc/rc2.d. In a real installation, these filenames would be prefixed with an ``S'' and a number indicating the execution order of the files.

MOUNTFILESYS

   #    Set up and mount filesystems
   cd /
   /sbin/mountall /etc/fstab

RMTMPFILES

   #  clean up /tmp
   rm -rf /tmp
   mkdir -m /tmp
   chmod 1777 /tmp
   chgrp bin /tmp
   chown bin /tmp

uucp

   #    clean-up uucp locks, status, and temporary files
   rm -rf /usr/spool/locks/*

The file /etc/TIMEZONE is included early in rc2, thus establishing the default time zone for all commands that follow.

References

inittab(4), shutdown(1M)