I am a Linux user, but I don’t really know how most things work, even after years of casual use on my Main, I just started getting into Devuan and wondered then, what exacly does systemd do that most distros have it? What even is init freedom? And why should I care?

  • @[email protected]
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    211 months ago

    So if sytemd just tells the OS what to run next where does the complaint that it doesn’t “do only one thing well” come from?

    • Kevin
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      11 months ago

      Because systemd (the project) extends more than just systemd (the init system). It also includes things like:

      • systemd-journald (system logging)
      • systemd-timesyncd (Network Time Sync)
      • NetworkManager systemd-networkd (network interface/connection management)
      • systemd-homed (Home directory management)
      • systemd-resolved (DNS Resolver)

      and so many more

      Now, in my personal opinion, I do find it good in that these being under one umbrella project led to fairly good integration between these aspects of “system management” as a whole. But I do also concede that this may feel like too many responsibilities handled by one project

      • @cdombroski
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        511 months ago

        NetworkManager (network interface/connection management)

        Pretty sure you mean systemd-networkd here. I find systemd-networkd to be very nice for headless systems, but NetworkManager seems to be a better fit for desktops because of the integrations it has available with KDE/Gnome/system tray

        • Kevin
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          111 months ago

          Ah I figured I had that one wrong, thanks!

    • jsveiga
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      111 months ago

      It doesn’t do “only” that; I was comparing it with other init systems and described their main, basic init functionality. Sorry if I didn’t do it well.