Starting and stopping the system

Choosing the mode of system operation

You can choose the mode of operation as soon as you see the message:

INIT: SINGLE USER MODE

Type CONTROL-d to continue with normal startup, (or give the root password for system maintenance):

The system has two modes: multiuser mode (for normal operation) and single-user mode, also known as maintenance mode. Multiuser mode is for ordinary work on the system and allows users to log in and begin work. Single-user mode is reserved for work to be done by the system administrator, and does not allow multiple users.

To choose multiuser mode, press <Ctrl>D. To choose system maintenance mode, enter the superuser password (also called the root password) and press <Enter>.

NOTE: The superuser (root) password is assigned during system installation. If you do not know the root password, ask the administrator who installed your system.

Single-user mode

Use system maintenance mode only if you must do system maintenance work that requires all other users to be off the system, including checking filesystems, installing updates or new software, and reinstalling system files or packages. Note that many system services (like printing and networking) will not function because the various daemons and startup programs in /etc/rc are not executed. Single-user mode effectively halts the startup process until you exit using <Ctrl>D, when the process continues with setting the system time. While in single-user mode, the superuser prompt ``#'' is displayed.

NOTE: You can also configure the system to skip the single-user mode prompt. See ``Changing the startup process''.

Multiuser mode

When you select multiuser mode, the startup process continues, proceeding with setting the system time. The most important distinction between single-user and multiuser mode is the execution of startup commands found in the /etc/rc directories discussed in ``Changing scripts in /etc/rc2.d''. These scripts generate startup messages for the various system services, such as the printer or network services. Next, the system displays the login: prompt and users are allowed to log in.