Chkconfig

Chkconfig is a handy tool for managing those symbolic links you find in the /etc/rc[0-6].d directories on UNIX systems that are based on System V. This tool really helps system admins avoid the boring task of managing tons of symbolic links by hand.

History of Chkconfig

Did you know that SGI originally created chkconfig and included it with their IRIX operating system? It was back in 1993 when Italo Lisi and Luigi Genoni made a script version for Linux. Then, a few years later, RedHat came up with their own C version which is what we’re using here today.

What's New in This Version?

This latest version (1.3.30a) adds some cool features like an autoconf style configure script and checks for the /etc/rc.d directory (like '/etc' on Solaris). I even sent patches to RedHat based on their RedHat-5.2 version, but sadly, they never got back to me.

Why Use Chkconfig?

I think this tool could be super useful, especially if you're working on porting RPM spec files to Solaris. So, I'm making it available right here for everyone!

Installation Made Easy

The installation process follows the usual GNU style:

     . /configure

    make

    make install

  

This should automatically detect how your OS is set up and compile everything with the right defaults. If it can’t figure out where your initscript directories are, no worries! There are special options you can check out in INSTALL. And hey, if you try something different with configure, shoot me an email so I can make future versions better!

Customization Options

You also have the option to skip compiling certain programs if you want! Just use --disable-ntsysv to avoid that program or --disable-alternatives to skip compiling the alternatives program.

If you're ready to give it a shot, download Chkdconfig here!