Q. I run a Linux webserver and down time is not an option for me. Now I I made some changes to my /etc/inittab file. How do I make those changes effective without rebooting my Debian Linux server?
A. The inittab file describes which processes are started at bootup and during normal operation (e.g. /etc/init.d/boot, /etc/init.d/rc, gettys...). Init distinguishes multiple runlevels, each of which can have its own set of processes that are started. Valid runlevels are 0-6 plus A, B, and C for ondemand entries.
telinit or init q option
You need to use /sbin/telinit command. It takes a one-character argument and signals init to perform the appropriate action. Q or q tell init to re-examine the /etc/inittab file.
To make changes to the /etc/inittab effective without a reboot, use init or telinit as follows:
# init q
OR
# telinit q
Featured Articles:
- 20 Linux System Monitoring Tools Every SysAdmin Should Know
- 20 Linux Server Hardening Security Tips
- My 10 UNIX Command Line Mistakes
- Linux: 20 Iptables Examples For New SysAdmins

- 25 PHP Security Best Practices For Sys Admins
- The Novice Guide To Buying A Linux Laptop
- 10 Greatest Open Source Software Of 2009
- Top 5 Email Client For Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows Users
- Top 20 OpenSSH Server Best Security Practices
- Top 10 Open Source Web-Based Project Management Software
- Top 5 Linux Video Editor Software
Facebook it - Tweet it - Print it -


{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Also can be accomplished by sending SIGHUP to the init process: