Linux Debian support - init process + dhcp ?

Author

init process + dhcp ?

Mark Shelby

2007-08-29, 1:13 am

Trying to help my dad track down where/why/when a process is being called
during system boot up sequence. Is there a config file or something that
orders the processes? I know about init.d and rcS, but I'm not sure if
that's really what is needed...

Here's his problem: (running Deb/Sid, by the way...)

During system initialization his system is looking for his wired connection
about midway through the boot process. DHCP sits and "looks" for a host for
about 2 minutes, then it moves on.

I just need to figure out what file is calling that process. I know how to
move the init process by renumbering the process to a later process count.
I wrote a script, for example that started his wireless dhclient last thing
before login so that the device would be initialized by udev and the
module would be accessed by the kernel.

So basically I want to get rid of the dhcp check earlier in the boot
process, but I don't know where to look for the script which shows the
order of sequences called.

I don't think the answer is in init.d anymore but for the life of me I can't
figure anything else out!

Hope this is not too confusing.

Mumia W.

2007-08-29, 7:13 am

On 08/28/2007 04:05 PM, Mark Shelby wrote:
> Trying to help my dad track down where/why/when a process is being called
> during system boot up sequence. Is there a config file or something that
> orders the processes? I know about init.d and rcS, but I'm not sure if
> that's really what is needed...
>
> Here's his problem: (running Deb/Sid, by the way...)
>
> During system initialization his system is looking for his wired connection
> about midway through the boot process. DHCP sits and "looks" for a host for
> about 2 minutes, then it moves on.
>
> I just need to figure out what file is calling that process. I know how to
> move the init process by renumbering the process to a later process count.
> I wrote a script, for example that started his wireless dhclient last thing
> before login so that the device would be initialized by udev and the
> module would be accessed by the kernel.
>
> So basically I want to get rid of the dhcp check earlier in the boot
> process, but I don't know where to look for the script which shows the
> order of sequences called.
>

Please rephrase this. I don't know what the "order of sequences called"
means.

> I don't think the answer is in init.d anymore but for the life of me I can't
> figure anything else out!
>
> Hope this is not too confusing.

Look at /etc/init.d/rc

Dave N

2007-08-29, 7:13 am

Mark Shelby wrote:
> During system initialization his system is looking for his wired connection
> about midway through the boot process. DHCP sits and "looks" for a host for
> about 2 minutes, then it moves on.
>
> I just need to figure out what file is calling that process. I know how to
> move the init process by renumbering the process to a later process count.
> I wrote a script, for example that started his wireless dhclient last thing
> before login so that the device would be initialized by udev and the
> module would be accessed by the kernel.

Seems like a network issue to me, but then I'm no expert. Have you read
through the Debian Reference (Chapter 10) and the following?

/etc/network/interfaces
man interfaces

The "allow-hotplug" and "pre-up" options might help?
--
Dave N

N.B. Mail sent to "nospam" will be rejected. The Reply-To address works.

Rodney

2007-08-29, 7:13 am

> So basically I want to get rid of the dhcp check earlier in the boot
> process, but I don't know where to look for the script which shows the
> order of sequences called.
>

The place to do what you want is as poster Dave N wrote. Remove the
"auto" from the stanza for the wired interface in /etc/network/interfaces.
You could also remove the DHCP from that interface if you don't need it to
obtain an IP address.

Mark, this would have also been the place to do what you have described
for the wireless interface. It seems you've done it a different way with
your script and that is fine if it works for you, there is almost always
more than one way to do things. I wonder where you put this script. I
suggest you follow Dave N's other advice too and read the man page and
reference.

As to the question you asked about the init process you might also want
to read section 2.4, The Debian boot process, in the aforementioned Debian
Reference. Simple answer would be that they are run in alpha-numeric
order, if they start with an "S", for the runlevel you have configured
Debian to start in. Init.d is just the place where the scripts reside,
they are called with links in the various runlevels.
http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/r...n.html#contents