The job of booting and rebooting a machine falls to a special program called init. Init is responsible for finishing the boot process once the kernel is done loading, launching the services necessary to run the computer. Init is also responsible for stopping services when needed and for shutting down or rebooting the computer when instructed.

For decades, the software handling these duties was called SysVinit, or System V init. Modern Linux distributions have begun switching to a replacement called Upstart (a less common replacement, init-ng, we will not discuss). The traditional model, facilitated by SysVinit, divides potential system states into multiple runlevels, each with a distinct purpose. Runlevel 3, for example, indicates a standard booted system; runlevel 6 indicates a reboot. When entering a runlevel N, SysVinit runs all of the commands in the directory /etc/rcN.d. In this manner, the scripts in /etc/rc3.d handle a system’s booting while those in /etc/rc6.d handle a reboot. Various commands (see accompanying table) allow a system administrator to force the system into a given runlevel. The file /etc/inittab specifies what runlevel is entered on boot, as well as configuration for the system’s tty’s.

Upstart replaces this functionality with a more general mechanism for the stopping, starting, and monitoring of services. Upstart operates asynchronously and is a much more powerful system than SysVinit. Thankfully, however, it is backward compatible with SysVinit and most distributions use it in a way in which much of the preceding paragraph remains accurate. Indeed, most modern Linux distributions have moved to Upstart but still manage runlevels via SysVinit-style scripts in /etc/rcN.d.

The biggest change with Upstart is with configuration. Instead of an inittab, Upstart maintains a directory of configuration scripts, /etc/event.d. Files within this directory describe how Upstart should handle tty’s and SysVinit-style runlevels: /etc/event.d/ttyN configures ttyN while /etc/event.d/rcN configures runlevel N.



Common Command on Starting and Stopping the System

chkconfig Manage which services run in a runlevel.
ctrlaltdel Shut down and then soft reboot system.
halt Stop or shut down system.
initctl Manage the Upstart init daemon.
reboot Shut down and then hard reboot system.
runlevel Print system runlevel.
shutdown Shut down system.
telinit Change the current runlevel.
uptime Display uptimes of local machines


Source of Information : OReilly Linux in a Nutshell 6th Edition

Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows® 7 enables IT administrators to manage roles and features that are installed on computers that are...

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PDC 2009 takes place at the LA Convention Center on November 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th. As I wrote before, The Professional Developers Conference is the one event each developer has to attend. Windows 7 will become generally available (GA) to the public on October 22nd. With the pre-release veil of secrecy lifted, during this year's PDC we can dive deep (very deep) into Windows 7 to extend our understanding of how Windows 7 works and, even more importantly, how developers can take advantage of all the great new improvements and features Windows 7 has to offer.

Just in case you missed my previous announcement, there is a FREE Windows 7 (seminar) Boot Camp led by top Microsoft Windows experts like Mark Russinovich, Landy Wang, and Arun Kishan. Then, during the PDC proper, we’ll have several deep-dive Windows 7 sessions.

During this year's PDC, we’ll host the Windows 7 Developer Center. The Windows 7 Developer Center gives you the opportunity to test your application on Windows 7, identify and solve problems with a group of consultants, and eventually get your application Logo-certified. Applications can be loaded onto a secure Windows 7 test platform in a private developer lab environment for Logo testing and submission. Our Windows Applications Developer Consultants can also help with Windows Compatibility questions or offer specific guidance for how you can make your application shine on Windows 7. You can pre-book a time slot right away, book a time when you get to the PDC, or just stop by Room 504/505. And guess what? It is all free; all you need to do is register.

Registration

You can pre-register for a 1-hour timeslot in the lab as outlined below. You can also register upon arrival at PDC09 by signing up at the reception station located in Room 504/505, or just stop by to talk about developing applications for Windows 7.

Monday 11/16	10:00 am	11:00 am	1:00 pm	2:00 pm	3:00 pm	4:00 pm
Tuesday 11/17	11:00 am	1:00 pm	2:00 pm	3:00 pm	4:00 pm	5:00 pm
Wednesday 11/18	11:00 am	1:00 pm	2:00 pm	3:00 pm	4:00 pm	5:00 pm
Thursday 11/19	8:30 am	9:30 am	10:30 am	11:30 am	1:30 pm	2:30 pm

 

Getting Started

Logo Test - To help maximize your time in the lab at PDC, we are asking that you run the Logo test and submit the .xml result report to our team for review prior to the event. Our consultants will analyze your results and prepare a report to review with you on-site at PDC.

VeriSign & WinQual IDs – In order to submit your product for Windows 7 Logo, you will need to obtain both of these credentials. Once obtained, you will be able to work directly with a Microsoft consultant through the submission process while on-site at PDC. (More info here - https://winqual.microsoft.com/.)

Follow these simple steps to register and prepare for PDC 2009:

1. Email srglabs@microsoft.com with 3 timeslots in order of preference from those listed above.

2. Download the Logo toolkit from MS Connect and follow the instructions for testing.

3. Send the .xml result report generated by the Logo toolkit to srglabs@microsoft.com for analysis.

4. Sign up for VeriSign & WinQual IDs that will be required for Logo submission by visiting https://winqual.microsoft.com/.

Additional Resources

• For general questions contact srglabs@microsoft.com

• For questions and more details about the Windows 7 Logo Program visit MS Connect

This is a great opportunity to prepare your applications for Windows 7, but there is limited availability so be sure to register early to get your preferred time slot.

You can learn about Windows 7 using the Windows 7 Training Kit for Developers or by viewing Windows 7 videos on Channel 9

On the cusp of releasing Security Updates for Windows 7 just a couple days ago, Microsoft today, provided a set of stability updates for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

Overview

The update resolves some reliability issues in Windows 7. By applying this update, you can achieve better reliability in various scenarios. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Downloads:

Windows 7 32-bit (15.9MB), Windows 7 64-bit (20.8MB), and Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit (20.8MB)

Some addition information about the update provided by ArsTechnica:

• When you view a PDF file that was created by using an Office 2007 document, the PDF file is displayed on the screen correctly. However, when the document is printed, some characters are missing. This problem occurs in fonts such as Calibri, Cambria, Courier New, or Gabriola, in which characters such as "fi", "ti", "fl", and other combinations are frequently presented as ligatures.
• In certain scenarios, an Emergency Alert System (EAS) message does not automatically tune to the appropriate channel in Windows Media Center.
• You connect a secondary monitor to a computer that is running Windows 7. When the computer resumes from hibernation, a black screen is displayed.
• In certain scenarios, the Windows 7 Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) diagnostic information settings are configured incorrectly for Windows Explorer. Only those users who are enrolled in the Windows 7 CEIP will be affected by this part of the update. This update limits the diagnostic information that can be collected by the CEIP.
• You put an x86-based computer that does not have Physical Address Extension (PAE) enabled into hibernation. However, it does not enter hibernation correctly. When you try to resume the computer from hibernation, a black screen is displayed. This issue does not affect x64-based or Itanium-based computers, or computers that have the Data Execution Prevention (DEP) feature enabled.
• A problem in Windows 7 affects the playback of certain media files in Windows Media Player, when Windows Media Player is started from Internet Explorer. Only those users whose media associations were changed incorrectly will be affected by this part of the update.
• On a computer that is running Windows 7, you use Internet Explorer to open the certificate enrollment webpage and to install an end entity certificate. However, the installation fails. This issue occurs if the certificate chain for the new certificate cannot be built, or if the root certification authority (CA) has not first been installed in the Trusted Roots on the computer.

Related:

First set of Security Updates available for Windows 7

Resources:

1. Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB975467)
2. Cumulative Security Update for ActiveX Killbits for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB973525)
3. Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB974571)
4. Update for Windows 7 (KB974431)
5. Security Update for Windows 7 (KB975467)

Microsoft’s Windows 7 release will be a boon for users as now they will be allowed to change the picture that appears on the Start Menu and Welcome screen in Windows 7.
While using Windows 7 you must have noticed a picture that appears when you click the Start menu or access the Welcome screen. A picture represents your account. You can replace this default picture with your favorite one.
You can follow these steps to perform this task. Click the Start button and then click on your account image to open the "User Accounts" Control Panel. When the "User Accounts" Control Panel opens, click "Change your picture" and then choose the one you like from the gallery and set as a default picture for your account.
After that you will have to click the "Change Picture" button, and then close the "User Accounts" Control Panel.
Taking up another issue, you can use setup to show the computer name on your Windows 7 taskbar.
You usually check computer name manually by right-clicking on My Computer and choosing Properties. But in Windows 7 release you can display it on Taskbar.
You just have to create a new folder in Document folder with the same name as your computer name. You can find your computer name by right-clicking on My Computer and choosing Properties. Right-click on an empty area in the taskbar and choose Toolbars, then click on New Toolbar. Now you want to browse to the location of the folder you just created. Choose that folder and click the Select Folder button.
Thats all. Now your computer name will appear on the Windows 7 taskbar.
Another Windows 7 update is that you can also get an effective package from Dr. Web CuireIt against all virus and spyware in Windows 7
When you update your system with Windows 7, then you need a comprehensive package because your existing antivirus will lose the compatibility.
Dr. Web comes with a most efficient Anti-Virus called Dr. Web CuireIt. Its extensive scanner and virus will scan the complete system even without installation. You can get it from the website link http://www.freedrweb.com, absolutely free. You can combine this package with Windows 7 install package. First, open the website with the above link. Press the button of "Download." Save the file on your desktop. Double click on the file and run the set up. Follow the prompt and at the end accept the Agreement form. Click on "Finish" after the process is complete.
You can run this program anytime, to scan your startup files and main memory. Depending upon the area you want to scan you can run this program under complete scan or custom scan. Press "Scanning" after selecting. After scanning the incurable files are moved to the quarantine directory.