Q. How do I disable services located at /etc/rc.d or /usr/local/etc/rc.d directory? For example I'd like to disable a service called /etc/rc.d/foo
A. FreeBSD services can be controlled by updating /etc/rc.conf file. The file rc.conf contains descriptive information about the local host name, configuration details for any potential network interfaces and which services should be started up at system initial boot time. You can edit file manually to remove entries. It is recommended that you use sysinstall utility to modify the /etc/rc.con file.
sysinstall utility
From the man page - The sysinstall utility is used for installing and configuring FreeBSD systems. It is the first utility invoked by the FreeBSD installation boot floppy and is also available as /usr/sbin/sysinstall on newly installed FreeBSD systems for use in later configuring the system. To start sysinstall login as root and enter:
# sysinstall
Select Configure (Do post installation menu) > Startup (configure system startup options) > Use [Space] or [Enter] key to select / deselect services / items from a menu > Ok to save the changes.
(Fig. 01: FreeBSD sysinstall utility in action)
Manually edit /etc/rc.conf
You can manually edit / update /etc/rc.conf file to enable or disable services:
# vi /etc/rc.conf
To disable sendmail at boot time, find line that read as follows:
sendmail_enable="YES"
With:
sendmail_enable="NONE"
Close and save the file.
Usually all services accepts - YES and NO parameters to enable or disable services. The correct way to figure out service parameter is by reading rc.conf man page. See rc.conf man page for more information:
man rc.conf
man rc
Updated for accuracy.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
To disable Sendmail on FreeBSD you need to use the following in rc.conf:
sendmail_enable="NONE"
not
sendmail_enable="NO"
Hello,
sendmail_enable="NONE"
is to completely disable the sendmail service. Use
sendmail_enable="NO"
to bind it to the localhost only. I prefer it that way.
ddb and sam,
Thanks for pointing out information. The faq has been updated.
when I edit rc.conf, there was mistake I’v made.
ifconfig_xl0=”inet 10.2.1.147 netmask 255.255.255.248
As you can see above. I forgot to write ‘”‘.
then when I reboot my computer, this message appear:
etc/rc.conf: 10 : syntax error : Unterminated quoted string
Enter full pathname of shell or RETURN for /bin/sh :
what shoul I do?
It have not been resolved yet.
That make me mad…
Asnawi,
Just type /bin/sh and enter it will boot the system. Mount the partition if not mounted and edit /etc/rc.conf file. Reboot again.
# Asnawi Says:
May 16th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
when I edit rc.conf, there was mistake I’v made.
ifconfig_xl0=”inet 10.2.1.147 netmask 255.255.255.248
As you can see above. I forgot to write ‘”‘.
then when I reboot my computer, this message appear:
etc/rc.conf: 10 : syntax error : Unterminated quoted string
Enter full pathname of shell or RETURN for /bin/sh :
what shoul I do?
It have not been resolved yet.
That make me mad…
u must enter one more time untul show # symbol
then type mount -t ufs -a enter
so edit rc,conf with editor default on your freebsd machine ee or vi
salamo alikom
@Asnawi
boot in single user(type 4 at menu boot) then mount your ufs partitions :
mount -a -t ufsnow edit your rc.conf :
ee /etc/rc.confthen fix system errors if exist
fsck -yfinally reboot your system and you will get is :
reboot