Learning Red Hat Linux, Second Edition

X and the Shell

You can configure your system to boot into nongraphical mode, if you prefer. If your video adapter is not compatible with X, you have no alternative but to do so. However, some Linux users prefer to configure their system to boot into nongraphical mode. A simple command lets such users launch an X session whenever they wish.

Configuring a Nongraphical Login

Linux provides several runlevels. Each runlevel has an associated set of services. For instance, runlevel 3 is associated with a text-based login and run level 5 is associated with an X-based, graphical login. Changing runlevels automatically starts and stops services associated with the old and new run levels.

You can determine the current runlevel by issuing the following command:

[bill@home bill]$ runlevel

The output of the command shows the previous and current runlevels. For example, the output:

3 5

indicates that the current run level is 5 and that the previous run level was 3.

To change the current runlevel, issue the init command. For example, to enter runlevel 3, issue the following command while logged in as root:

[bill@home bill]$ init 3

In response to this command, the system will start and stop services as required to enter runlevel 3.

The /etc/inittab file specifies the default runlevel, which the system enters when booted. By changing the default run level to 3, you can configure your system to provide a nongraphical login when it boots. To do so, log in as root and load the /etc/inittab file ...