HP-UX differences

[Heironimus]

Some HP init scripts source in the specific file they need under /etc/rc.config.d, but others source in all the files under /etc/rc.config.d. Since "foo.orig" sorts after "foo" any script that just sources everything in would get the values set in the backup file foo.orig instead of the new values in foo.

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi (again):

Insofar as HP's startup paradigm, the manpages for 'rc(1M)' offer a very good overview and discussion of the requirements.

The original 10.x whitepaper below still applies today when you add the documentation for the return code of >= 4.

As for placing backup copies of files in '/etc/rc.config.d', this *IS* *ALLOWED* *IF* you follow a simple guideline documented in '/etc/rc.config':

That is, filenames containing [.,~#] are not sourced. Rather, they are possible names of
backup files such as file.bak, file.OLD, ~file, file~, file,v, #file, etc.

Simple be very careful to follow this rule. DO NOT create a backup copy of (for example) the '/etc/rc.config.d/netconf' file by naming it 'oldnetconf' or 'netconfold'. A copy like that WILL BE sourced AFTER the real 'netconf' is found and thus its variable values will override the previous settings which are probably the current ones!

Regards!

...JRF...

[Matti_Kurkela]

Yes, I actually know that /etc/rc.config won't source any scripts containing [.,~#] in their names. But has anyone seen this documented anywhere _other than_ the /etc/rc.config script itself?

If it isn't documented, can you trust it won't change without notice in the next HP-UX version? Or that it was exactly like that in some old HP-UX version you might still need to maintain - including 10.20 or earlier?

From the rc.config(4) manpage, HP-UX 11.23:

----------
/etc/rc.config

The file /etc/rc.config is a script that sources all of the /etc/rc.config.d/* scripts[...]
----------

The man page definitely says "all of the /etc/rc.config.d/* scripts". The fact that /etc/rc.config is actually a bit more selective is not mentioned, and I'm forced to conclude that it's an extra feature that is "subject to change without notice". So I won't rely on it, and certainly won't urge less experienced people to do so.

I was on a HP-UX sysadmin course and the instructor recommended a simple policy of not leaving any unnecessary files to /etc/rc.config.d. That was his opinion, and you're free to disagree - but I find it a sensible policy. Doing otherwise allows the chance to experience Murphy's Law in action.

MK

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi (again):

> Matti: Yes, I actually know that /etc/rc.config won't source any scripts containing [.,~#] in their names. But has anyone seen this documented anywhere _other than_ the /etc/rc.config script itself?

No, I can't say that I have.

> Matti: If it isn't documented, can you trust it won't change without notice in the next HP-UX version? Or that it was exactly like that in some old HP-UX version you might still need to maintain - including 10.20 or earlier?

I can't say I always trust the documention, either. There is no substitute for reading the code.

> Matti: From the rc.config(4) manpage, HP-UX 11.23...says "all of the /etc/rc.config.d/* scripts". The fact that /etc/rc.config is actually a bit more selective is not mentioned, and I'm forced to conclude that it's an extra feature that is "subject to change without notice". So I won't rely on it, and certainly won't urge less experienced people to do so.

You are certainly free to hold that advice. Please note that I said that you *CAN* get into trouble if you disregard the rules enforced by the aforementioned script. Otherwise, you *CAN* keep backup files in the directory.

I guess I would agree with you insofaras for the inexperienced, don't do it.

Regards!

...JRF...