what is run level, could any one please explain a bit, and direct me to some good source where i can read more about it.
Thanks

I'd recommend the Linux-From-Scratch guide
and From-PowerUp-To-Bash-Prompt
on http://www.tldp.org for reading ...


Cheers,
Tink

Amen for reading so check all that out, but you also asked for a bit of explanation, so for the Cliff notes version: depending on your distro, there's a set of scripts or set of directories containing links in /etc/rc.d or the like. Runlevel means that these scripts are run. If 0 is set to reboot, 6 to halt, 5 for X, 3 for multiuser, 1 for single-user, etc., those scripts are run to set the machine up for those tasks or modes. So that 5 will start the X server when 3 won't, say, because it's needed for runlevel 5 and not for 3 and is in the scripts for 5 and not 3. t least, that's my understanding.

Sometimes the extended reading can leave me more confused than before, depending on the question I have and the context or simple understanding I may lack. Once I've got *any* handle, the more detailed explanations make more sense. And sometimes I'm in the middle of something and under time pressures so a quick grasp helps. But lotsa reading is always recommended.

Here is my two cents. Saying stuff similar to what digiot has said, but adding another perspective.


Linux can be set to run in various ways. These setting can be set so that it boots up a certain way.

If you set the run level to 5, Linux will boot up and run X Windows. If you set the run level to 3, it will boot up to the command prompt.

It is a bad idea to set the levels to 0 and 6 because these will cause the machine to reboot and halt, respectively.

There is a file where you can set the run level option. I cannot remember the name just now but the available literature should give you the name.

If you can't find the info, give us a shout.

Yeah - that's the default runlevel, though - from CLI you can do an 'init 6' or whatever instead of the three-finger salute but you definitely don't want that as default. *g* Unless you just like to watch your computer do loops.

And reading over what I said, I realize at least one thing was off about the way I put it. It's not like '5' means anything. You don't need X for 'runlevel 5' - you need X for a GUI and *if* you want that to be runlevel 5, then the scripts for that runlevel go accordingly. Maybe a minor difference, but just pointing out that different distro's runlevels are set up different ways and the number doesn't mean anything but what it's configured to mean.

edit - the file's inittab, btw. or usually is, anyway. I think it always is.

Use command "init ?" to specify any runlevel (where n is number 1 to 6)