Re: AX25 in /etc/init.d

[Patrick Ouellette <pat@flying-gecko.net>]

On Fri, May 01, 2009 at 04:40:02PM -0400, C Schuman wrote:
>>
>> FWIW, Debian includes a startup script in the ax25-tools package.  It sets up
>> the mheardd, ax25d, and netromd.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Pat
>>   
> Thanks Pat,
> Yes, your assumption is correct.
>
> I use Ubuntu and Debian.  I have never seen any of the Debian Startup  
> scripts for AX.25. 
>
> The problem with with most of the supplied or example start scripts is  
> that they never do what you want them to do.
> The Linux HAM Radio community are an assorted lot.  I have approx 14  
> Packet Radio servers and no two are the same.
> I have been Elmering a number of individuals who are attempting their  
> first installion of Linux. Some just want a RMS Gate.
> Others want a BBS, Node and an assortment of other apps.
>
> My point was not really "We need to add Header Info", but more toward  
> the "We need a more versatile script"
> By pointing our start up script at /etc/ax25/ax25-up & down we can use a  
> common script to transition to an uncommon system initialization.
>

Well, I just checked, and the most recent ax25-tools does not install
the startup script.  There used to be one in the debian source package.

Anyway, I agree in principle that ax25 should have startup scripts - BUT
as you point out, each system is different.  Several (> 7) years ago I
looked at creating comprehensive set up scripts for Debian's ax25 packages
and decided there were just too many variables and not enough interest to
make it worth the time.  It was easier and faster to set up the boxes 
individually.

The upstream ax25 package has *almost* not changed for a very long time.
Either it is completely debugged, there is not a bug that hits anyone's
"button," or there are not enough users to push for lots of activity there.
(I'm not saying it is unmaintained, but that there has been little change
in both the ax25 apps/tools and the kernel ax25 code for quite some time.)

There is a wiki at www.linux-ax25.org and a few other efforts around.

73,
Pat

-- 

Patrick Ouellette                 pat@flying-gecko.net
ne4po (at) arrl (dot) net         Amateur Radio: NE4PO 
"Crank the amp to 11, this needs more cowbell - and a llama wouldn't hurt either"
"Your arguments are an odd mix of overly optimistic on one side and overly 
pessimistic on the other"