Noob Linux server question

[Darren S]

If I restart a Linux webserver, will all the services restart without the need to logon after reboot - pretty much like a Windows server?

I've got an issue where the server is not emailing new customers back their 'Click here to activate' emails. Hence, we've several new customers who cannot activate their accounts in order to place new orders. :dapprove:

We're running Red Hat Linux on it, but I'm a total newbie to Linux. Any help or suggestions where I could look to see if any service or procedure has stopped, would be good! I've had a quick shufty at the services, but most of them have their own quirky Linux names. Bugger.

Cheers,
D.

 

[KDF]

Luckily for you i'm red hat enterprise linux certified

Yes they will restart as long as they are set to restart at the runlevel you are brining the machine up to. Most servers only go to runlevel 3 so make sure they are all set to boot at that level.

to check the current runlevel of all services

/sbin/chkconfig --list

check to see if the service you want lists runlevel 3 as "on" if the service is "off"

/sbin/chkconfig thenameofyourservice on

replace thenameofyourservice with the name of your webserver.. i'm assuming apache so the service name is called "httpd".... that will turn it on in the current runlevel you are in (eg 3 for no GUI, 5 for GUI).. runlevel's are inherited so if its on in runlevel 3 it will be on for runlevel 3, 4 and 5

And yes you wont need to log on, although if you are using apache with properly signed SSL certificates installed it will ask you for the password before allowing SSL traffic.

 

[Darren S]

Cheers m8!

I've typed the command line in above (took me a while to find Terminal in the first place! ) and can see all the services and their levels - 1 through to 6 listed. I'll keep that open for now.

I've also checked the Mail log in System Logs to see if there's anything blatantly obvious. Everything seems 'ok' - relay messages ending in the word 'Sent'.

The only obvious issue I can see is that there's a discrepancy between the relay server's names. What Red Hat has it listed as, is different to what its network name is. However, both IP addresses are identical and its clearly listed in the mail log. Methinks that shouldn't be a problem?

I must admit, I'm liking Linux the more I use it. Just with it being SO new to me, everything looks and feels strange!

D.

 

[Darren S]

Luckily for you i'm red hat enterprise linux certified

Yes they will restart as long as they are set to restart at the runlevel you are brining the machine up to. Most servers only go to runlevel 3 so make sure they are all set to boot at that level.

to check the current runlevel of all services

/sbin/chkconfig --list

check to see if the service you want lists runlevel 3 as "on" if the service is "off"

/sbin/chkconfig thenameofyourservice on

replace thenameofyourservice with the name of your webserver.. i'm assuming apache so the service name is called "httpd".... that will turn it on in the current runlevel you are in (eg 3 for no GUI, 5 for GUI).. runlevel's are inherited so if its on in runlevel 3 it will be on for runlevel 3, 4 and 5

And yes you wont need to log on, although if you are using apache with properly signed SSL certificates installed it will ask you for the password before allowing SSL traffic.

Ah. I may just hang fire on that. We do use Apache and have SSL certificates in place.

Bugger.

D.