ntsysv

Additional Notes

ntsysv is a text-based interface for managing SysV init service runlevels on Red Hat-based Linux distributions. It provides a simple menu showing all installed services and allows the administrator to enable or disable services for different runlevels using the space bar.

ntsysv modifies the same symbolic links in /etc/rc.d/rc*.d/ directories that chkconfig manages. It is part of the chkconfig package and serves as an interactive alternative for users who prefer menu-driven configuration over command-line tools. On systems using systemd, ntsysv is deprecated and systemctl should be used instead.

Syntax

ntsysv [--level levels] [--back]

Parameters

• options: Flags that change how ntsysv behaves.
• target: Optional file, device, interface, user, service, or command target when the command supports one.

Common Options

• --level levels: Specify runlevels to configure. Use --level 3 or --level 235.
• --back: Show a Back button in the interface.
• --help: Show help and exit.

Examples

ntsysv

Open the interactive service configuration for the current runlevel.

ntsysv --level 3

Configure services for runlevel 3 only.

ntsysv --level 35

Configure services for runlevels 3 and 5 simultaneously.

ntsysv --back

Open the interface with a Back button available.

Practical Notes

• ntsysv requires root privileges. Run it with sudo.
• The Enter key confirms changes. Space bar toggles a service on or off.
• Runlevels on Red Hat systems: 0 (halt), 1 (single-user), 2 (multi-user without NFS), 3 (full multi-user), 4 (unused), 5 (graphical), 6 (reboot).
• On modern distributions using systemd, use systemctl enable/disable service and systemctl set-default multi-user.target instead.
• The package containing ntsysv is typically ntsysv or chkconfig on RHEL/CentOS/Fedora systems.