Start, Stop, and Restart Services in Linux using 3 Effective Ways

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: August 1, 2023

Expert verified

As a system administrator or Linux enthusiast, understanding how to manage services in Linux is essential for maintaining a stable and efficient system. Linux services are background processes that run independently and perform specific tasks to keep the system running smoothly. Services play a vital role in the functioning of a Linux machine, and knowing how to start, stop, and restart them is fundamental knowledge. In this comprehensive guide, I will explore various methods to start, stop, and restart services in Linux. I will also explore six best practices for better productivity.

How to Start Services in Linux

Starting services correctly ensures that they function as intended and contribute to a stable system. If you encounter any issues during the startup process, check for error messages in the log files or system journal. To start services in Linux, you have three different methods at your disposal. Let’s explore the step-by-step process using the most common techniques:

1. Using systemctl

Using systemctl is a powerful and standard method to manage services in modern Linux distributions. It allows you to start, stop, restart, enable, and disable services easily, providing a centralized control over the system services. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Terminal.

2. To start a service, use the following command:

<strong>sudo systemctl start service_name</strong>

Replace service_name with the name of the service you want to start.

3. You may need to enter your password, as this command requires administrative privileges.

2. Using service command

The service command is a legacy method to manage services in Linux, often found in older distributions or system setups. Though not as feature-rich as systemctl, it still offers basic service management functionalities. Here is the step-by-step guide:

1. Access your command window and to start a service with the service command, use the following syntax:

<strong>sudo service service_name start</strong>

Replace service_name with the name of the service you want to start.

2. Enter your password if prompted.

3. Using init scripts

Init scripts are the traditional way of managing services in Linux. While they are not as user-friendly as systemctl or service, they offer more control over service management. Follow these steps:

1. Locate the init script of the service you wish to start. These scripts are typically stored in the /etc/init.d/ directory.
2. In your Terminal run the following command to start the services:

<strong>sudo /etc/init.d/service_name start</strong>

Replace service_name with the actual name of the service.

How to Stop Services in Linux

When you no longer need a service to run, stopping it appropriately is essential to prevent data corruption or conflicts. It is vital to avoid potential conflicts or data loss. Make sure to handle dependencies properly when stopping services that other services rely on. Here’s how you can stop services in Linux:

1. Using systemctl

With systemctl, you can stop services gracefully, ensuring that they terminate properly and release system resources. Here is how to do it:

1. Launch your command prompt.
2. To stop a service with systemctl, use the following command:

<strong>sudo systemctl stop service_name</strong>

Replace service_name with the name of the service you want to stop.

2. Using service command

The service command also allows you to stop services, but it lacks some advanced features present in systemctl. Follow these steps to stop services in Linux using service command:

1. Enter your Terminal and to stop a service using the service command, run the following syntax:

<strong>sudo service service_name stop</strong>

Replace service_name with the name of the service you want to stop.

3. Using init scripts

Init scripts can be used to stop services in Linux, and they offer more control over the shutdown process compared to higher-level tools. Here is the step-by-step guide:

1. Access your command Terminal and to stop a service using the init script, enter the following command:

<strong>sudo /etc/init.d/service_name stop</strong>

Replace service_name with the actual name of the service.

How to Restart Services in Linux

Restarting services can be useful when a service encounters issues or requires a configuration update. Always consider the impact of restarting a service, especially if it has dependencies on other services. Here’s how you can safely restart services in Linux:

1. Using systemctl

systemctl allows you to restart services with ease, providing a seamless way to refresh their configurations or resolve issues. Follow these steps:

1. Launch your Terminal.
2. To restart a service with systemctl, use the following command:

<strong>sudo systemctl restart service_name</strong>

Replace service_name with the name of the service you want to restart.

2. Using service command

Like starting and stopping services, the service command can be used to restart services, but it might lack some features of systemctl. Here is the step-by-step guide to do it:

1. Open your command window and to restart a service using the service command, run the following syntax:

<strong>sudo service service_name restart</strong>

Replace service_name with the name of the service you want to restart.

3. Using init scripts

Init scripts enable you to restart services in a manner that suits your specific requirements, making them useful for fine-tuned control. Here is the step-by-step guide to restart services using init scripts:

1. In your Terminal window execute the following command to restart a service using the init script.

<strong>sudo /etc/init.d/service_name restart</strong>

Replace service_name with the actual name of the service.

6 Best Practices to Manage Services in Linux

Managing services in Linux efficiently is crucial for ensuring system stability and optimal performance. From starting and stopping services to troubleshooting issues, following best practices can make your Linux administration experience smoother and more secure. Here are six best practices to follow:

• 🔍 Regular Updates: Keeping your Linux system and services up to date with the latest security patches is a fundamental best practice. Regular updates not only fix vulnerabilities but also enhance the performance and reliability of services. Utilize package managers like apt or yum to update your system and services regularly, and consider automating the update process to stay on top of critical updates promptly. Regularly check for updates from official repositories and trusted sources to protect your services from the latest threats and vulnerabilities.
• 🔒 Secure Configurations: Implement secure configurations for your services to minimize potential security risks. Review documentation and community guidelines to ensure you configure services with the appropriate security settings. Restrict access to services and follow the principle of least privilege, granting only necessary permissions to users and applications. Avoid using default settings and passwords, as attackers easily exploit them. Additionally, regularly audit the security configurations of your services to identify and address any potential weaknesses proactively.
• 📊 Monitor Services Proactively: Implement a monitoring solution to identify service issues and potential failures proactively. Monitoring tools like Nagios, Zabbix, or Prometheus offer real-time insights into service performance and availability. Set up alerts for critical service metrics to get notified immediately when issues arise, allowing you to address problems promptly and avoid potential downtime. Create dashboards to visualize the health of your services and track their resource utilization over time. Regularly review historical monitoring data to identify trends and patterns that could indicate underlying issues.
• 📅 Schedule Automatic Service Startup: Configure essential services to start automatically during system boot. Use the systemctl enable command to enable services at boot time, ensuring critical services are readily available after system restarts or power failures. Additionally, prioritize services based on their importance and impact on system functionality. For instance, database services or web servers that are crucial for your applications should start automatically, while non-essential services can be started manually as needed.
• 🔧 Handle Service Dependencies: Understand and manage service dependencies to prevent disruptions and ensure smooth service operations. Incorrect handling of dependencies can lead to service failures and system instability. Regularly review and update service dependencies to adapt to changes in your system environment. Implement proper error handling and failover mechanisms to deal with scenarios where dependent services are unavailable. Moreover, consider creating a comprehensive dependency diagram to visualize the relationships between different services and their respective dependencies.
• 🚦 Plan Safe Service Restarts: Before restarting services, ensure you understand the impact of doing so, especially if they have dependencies on other services. Schedule restarts during maintenance windows or periods of low activity to minimize any potential disruption to users or applications. Always take backups of critical data and configurations before performing a service restart to prevent data loss in case of unexpected issues. Additionally, communicate scheduled restarts to users and stakeholders to manage expectations and ensure a smooth user experience during the restart process.

In A Nutshell

Throughout this guide, I’ve discussed various methods to start, stop, and restart services in Linux, such as using systemctl, service command, and init scripts. By following best practices like regular updates, secure configurations, proactive monitoring, scheduling automatic service startup, handling dependencies, and planning safe service restarts, you can ensure a smooth and secure service management experience.

As you continue your Linux journey, consider exploring advanced service configuration, service performance optimization, and automating service management tasks. Keep reading, learning, and experimenting with Linux to become a seasoned Linux administrator or enthusiast. Embrace the vast Linux community and its wealth of knowledge, and let it fuel your passion for exploring new horizons in the world of Linux.

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