My server is running Ubuntu 7.10.

It runs squid/squidGuard and iptables for the firewall.

I have a firewall script I've named rc.firewall.

I forgot that whenever I change any firewall rules, all of a sudden users can no longer access Hotmail. This has been going on ever since I installed this Ubuntu server (previous one was Mandrake).

It has something to do with the order the firewall script is run - it has to be before or after squid. When I start the server up, the services start in the correct order because at one time I had it figured out. But if I change anything on the fly, and rerun the firewall script, Hotmail stops working.

It is only hotmail - we can access the login page but when you hit "sign in" you get "page cannot be displayed" - it does not happen for any other websites that use HTTPS that I have found.

We are serving public computers where the users check their email. So this has to be resolved.

I have looked in /etc/init.d but can't find any clues as to which file specifies the order the scripts start in. Of course I wrote it down a long time ago... but can't find it...

Thanks for any help.

The process of figuring out the start order is relatively simple.
1- you find the run level you want to modify
2- you go ls into the relevant directory

A run level is basically what defines which service is run/offered by your machine.
The "/etc/inittab" file is at the center of it all, and on my debian box, says:
Which basically sums it all.
Usually, at the beginning of your file is the default runlevel, which looks like this on my debian box:
But YMMV, and runlevel 5 is usually devoted to graphical mode (with an X11 login screen).
Once you figure your usual run level out, you go look into /etc/rcX.d, where X is your usual run level, and you'll find a bunch of symbolic links SNN<name> and KNN<name>.
Basically, when you enter a runlevel, the system execute all the SNN scripts in the order given by the numbers, and that's what you wanted to know.

Now of course, they are a bunch of text/graphic utilities that are going to do al the work for you, but I just wanted to give you enough basics.
If you want tools/more explanation, google "runlevel" "system V init scripts".

pruneau,

Thank you that was exactly what I needed. I did find it exactly as you said, and now it works. thanks again

Write yourself a note for next time

You're welcome.