Migrating Debian and Ubuntu packages to systemd

Skillfully Packaged

Article from Issue 184/2016
Author(s):

You might need to tweak your Debian or Ubuntu packages to get them to work with systemd.

Systemd [1] has finally established itself as the leading Linux init system, but the road has not been easy. The Debian project [2], in particular, had to hold lots of discussions until the developers were able to agree on a replacement for the aging System V init system in a general vote.

The Ubuntu project was actually in the process of developing its own init alternative before the systemd tidal wave washed over Linux world, and many Ubuntu users and developers were just getting used to Ubuntu's Upstart system when Mark Shuttleworth announced that Ubuntu was abandoning the Upstart project in favor of systemd [3]. (A "Benevolent Dictator for Life" is missing in the Debian project – otherwise, it would probably spare itself a lot of tedious discussions.)

Jessie was the first Debian version with a functioning systemd. Many Debian developers are now adapting to the new circumstances and migrating to systemd. Ubuntu developers are also striving to integrate systemd.

[...]

Use Express-Checkout link below to read the full article (PDF).

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
Print Issues
Digital Issues
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Print Subs
Digisubs
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Professor Knopper's Lab – Removing systemd

    The systemd service manager has been widely adopted by many Linux distros, so why would you want to remove it? The professor reveals why and how.

    more »
  • systemd-networkd

    The new networkd component of the systemd project supports basic network configuration. Despite its early stage of development, one thing is clear: This is a daemon with brains.

    more »
  • Systemd Graphical Tools

    Systemd has won the race, as indicated by the several tools that already offer a service just a mouse click away. We look at six of these tools.

    more »
  • Init Systems

    SysV init was formerly the sole candidate for starting processes on Linux, but today, a tech-savvy generation of init systems is waiting in the starting blocks.

    more »
  • Devuan 1.0.0

    In 2014, the Debian project decided to replace the old init system with systemd, but a small group of developers resisted, forking Debian to start the systemd-free Devuan. We decided to take a look at Devuan 1.0.0, the first stable release.

    more »
comments powered by Disqus