Feb

Common Linux Configuration Files

Rai

Linux

binary, clear, command, config, configuration, files, Linux, reset, screen, terminal, text

Every user who switches from Windows to Linux has the fear of editing configuration files using the command line interface (CLI). If you are one of those people, then I am here to guide you through the most common configuration files found in a Linux system. Please note that to be able to edit these files, you need to have knowledge in file editors such as vim or pico.

/etc/profile
System wide environment variables for all users.

/etc/fstab
List of devices and their associated mount points. Edit this file to add cdroms, DOS partitions and floppy drives at startup.

/etc/motd
Message of the day broadcast to all users at login.

/etc/rc.d/rc.local
Bash script that is executed at the end of login process. Similar to autoexec.bat in DOS.

/etc/hostname
Contains full hostname including domain.

/etc/cron.*
There are 4 directories that automatically execute all scripts within the directory at intervals of hour, day, week or month.

/etc/hosts
A list of all know host names and IP addresses on the machine.

/etc/httpd/conf
Parameters for the Apache web server

/etc/inittab
Specifies the run level that the machine should boot into.

/etc/resolv.conf
Defines IP addresses of DNS servers.