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submitted 1 year ago by mateowoetam@lemmy.zip to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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?

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[-] BirdyBoogleBop@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 year 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?

[-] technohacker@programming.dev 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year 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@programming.dev 5 points 1 year 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

[-] technohacker@programming.dev 1 points 1 year ago

Ah I figured I had that one wrong, thanks!

[-] jsveiga@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year 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.

this post was submitted on 15 Aug 2023
171 points (98.9% liked)

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