I am just learning Linux and I want a FULL understanding of how it works not just that it works when I install it.

Where is the first place that Linux looks at boot up. Like a linux version of autoexec.bat or config.sys.

What file tells Linux to check the file for firewall configuration and so on. Anyone happen to have a nice flowchart of all of this?

Thanks in advance,

Paul

a flowchart???

while booting, linux will run rc.something files. first it starts with /etc/rc.sysinit, and from this will load all relevant /etc/rc{runlevel}.d/ scripts and then go for /etc/rc.local. Often ther will be other files like /etc/rc.firewall or such like. after this they tend to go for /etc/profile, and then /etc/bashrc. Each of these files will in turn use a whole host of other other configuration files, so you often want to have a look through to get an idea of what's going on.

Generally speaking tho, the autoexec equivalent is the bashrc or profile files.

acid_kewpie,

Thanks for the info! It isn't a flowchart but it will do.

Paul

How about reading this howto for an extensive explanation:

http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/From-P...mpt-HOWTO.html

Actually /etc/inittab is the very first file it will read, which in turns runs the rc scripts.

Just write 'man init' and you will get the description of initialization process in Linux. Init is the father of all processes, all ather processes are simply forked from init.