Modifying System Startup Mode on CentOS 7
In the past, modifying the system startup mode on CentOS Linux typically involved editing the /etc/inittab file by adding an id directive with a specific number, followed by initdefault: to set the default startup mode. However, with the introduction of CentOS 7, this approach has become obsolete. Upon rebooting the system, the modified settings in /etc/inittab would be ignored, leading to confusion.
Upon closer inspection of the /etc/inittab file, it becomes clear that CentOS 7 has adopted a new approach to managing system startup modes. The comments within the file reveal that the systemctl command is now used to view and set the default startup mode.
To view the current default startup mode, use the following command:
$ sudo systemctl get-default
graphical.target
To set the default startup mode to a specific target, use the following command:
$ sudo systemctl set-default multi-user.target
This change will also create a symbolic link from /etc/systemd/system/default.target to /usr/lib/systemd/system/multi-user.target.
Verify the change by running the systemctl get-default command again:
$ sudo systemctl get-default
multi-user.target
By following these steps, you can modify the system startup mode on CentOS 7 and ensure that your changes are preserved across reboots.
Example Use Cases:
- To set the system to boot into the graphical user interface (GUI), use
sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target. - To set the system to boot into the multi-user mode, use
sudo systemctl set-default multi-user.target.
Systemd Target Modes:
graphical.target: Boots the system into the graphical user interface (GUI).multi-user.target: Boots the system into the multi-user mode, suitable for servers and other non-GUI applications.
By adopting the systemctl command to manage system startup modes, CentOS 7 provides a more streamlined and efficient approach to configuring the system’s default behavior.