Section 2.14. System Operation

   


2.14. System Operation

Bootstrapping mechanisms are used to start the system running. First, the FreeBSD kernel must be loaded into the main memory of the processor. Once loaded, it must go through an initialization phase to set the hardware into a known state. Next, the kernel must do device-dependent and device-independent initialization. The system begins running in single-user mode while a startup script does disk checks and starts the accounting and quota checking. Finally, the startup script starts the general system services and brings up the system to full multiuser operation.

In multiuser operation the system may act as a general timesharing system, supporting direct or network-based logins by users who then start processes running on their behalf. FreeBSD often acts as a server, providing file services and serving Web requests to network clients. All these network-based services can be started automatically at boot time. When used as a server, there is rarely more than one human user logged into the system (the administrator).


   
 


The Design and Implementation of the FreeBSD Operating System
The Design and Implementation of the FreeBSD Operating System
ISBN: 0201702452
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 183

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