Internet super server Introduction The Internet super server daemon _i_n_e_t_d is responsible for basic system services. These services are the original Internet services like tel- net, ftp and login. Inetd reads its configuration file _i_n_e_t_d_._c_o_n_f and listens for connections on the specified ports. When a connection is made, inetd executes the corresponding server program to handle the service. 11.. SSeerrvviiccee nnaammee Each _s_e_r_v_e_r depends on a specific _s_e_r_v_i_c_e which must be defined. The _s_e_r_v_i_c_e defines which _p_o_r_t and _p_r_o_t_o_c_o_l is used. 22.. EEnnaabblleedd oorr ddiissaabblleedd A service can be enabled or disabled. Disabled services are marked as comments in the configuration file (/etc/inetd.conf). 33.. SSoocckkeett ttyyppee _S_o_c_k_e_t _t_y_p_e is typically _s_t_r_e_a_m. 44.. CCoonnccuurrrreenntt pprroocceesssseess Concurrent processes specifies if more than one server is allowed to execute at the same time. If only one process is allowed the server process itself must handle any future connections. _C_o_n_c_u_r_r_e_n_t _p_r_o_c_e_s_s_e_s is typically _Y_e_s. 55.. MMaaxx pprroocceesssseess ppeerr mmiinnuuttee Max processes per minute can be specified. Default is 40. 66.. UUsseerr aanndd ggrroouupp Determines which user and group the server is to run as. Normally this is user _r_o_o_t with group unspecified. 77.. SSeerrvveerr ppaatthh aanndd aarrgguummeenntt The server path is often _t_c_p_d. This is a program which can perform basic security checks. In this case the server program path is specified in the arguments. If the path is not absolute (lacking a beginning /), the server must be in tcpd daemon directory (usually /usr/sbin). A special case is _i_n_t_e_r_n_a_l. This is used if the service is handled by inetd internally. The argument is left empty. 88.. CCoommmmaanndd lliinnee aarrgguummeennttss To enable or disable a service: --enable service [service ...] --disable service [service ...] To check and update services in /etc/inetd.conf use: --server-path --check --server-path --check-update The last command disables services which are active but where the server path or name is invalid.