Red Hat Knowledgebase

Linux has several methods for running programs automatically, without direct input from a user. One of these methods is the Sys5 initscripts. Programs started by these initscripts are called initscript services or simply services.

Every initscript service has a name associated with it. You can get a list of the services installed on a system using the chkconfig command:

chkconfig --list

An initscript service can be setup to run, or not run, automatically when the system is booted:

chkconfig <service-name> on

will cause the service to start when the system is booted and

chkconfig <service-name> off

will cause the service to not be started when the system is booted.

The chkconfig command does not immediately start or stop a service, it only changes what happens to the service at the next reboot. To immediately start, stop, or check the current status of a service, use the service command:

   service <service-name> start
   service <service-name> stop
   service <service-name> status

For more information on the chkconfig command, see the chkconfig man page. For more information on SYS5 initscripts in general, see the documentation included in the initscripts RPM.