Control panel _L_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f is a configuration tool. Its special menu, the control panel, lets you change the operating mode of your computer. 11.. AAccttiivvaattee ccoonnffiigguurraattiioonn Changing the configuration of your computer is a two-step process. You must first enter the parameters of the new configuration and then perform whatever step is needed to make those configurations effective. On many operating systems, this is generally done by rebooting the system. 11..11.. PPrriinncciipplleess _L_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f lets you probe your computer and compare, step by step, the current configuration (how your computer is performing now) and the intended configuration. This implies, for example, the following operations: +o Read some kernel state and compare it with the new configuration. Information compared includes: +o network interface status +o routing table +o firewall rules +o rarp table +o availability of a given device driver +o Read the start up time for a given daemon and compare it with the associated configuration file modification time. The _A_c_t_i_v_a_t_e _c_o_n_f_i_g_u_r_a_t_i_o_n menu produces a small report showing exactly what has to be done to make the new configuration operational. At this point you will be allowed to either let _L_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f implement the change or do nothing. If you decide against activating the configuration, all is not lost. You can select this menu again and _l_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f will report the same results, even if meanwhile you have quit _l_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f. 11..22.. IImmpplliicciitt ""aaccttiivvaattee ccoonnffiigguurraattiioonn"" Each time you quit _l_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f, it triggers the same process as this menu item and lets you accept the changes (make the new configuration operational) or not. This "activate configuration" menu will be used infrequently with the interactive mode of _l_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f. It is essential with the HTML mode where there is no such a thing as quitting _l_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f: Each HTML page is in itself a small linuxconf session. 22.. SShhuuttddoowwnn//RReebboooott You can shutdown (halt) or reboot your computer with this menu. It leads you to a dialog controlling the details of the operation. You can still back up from there at this point.