Re: [PATCH] Overriding rc.conf in loader

Kevin Oberman wrote:
>> From: Marcin Wisnicki <mwisnicki+freebsd_at_gmail.com>
>> Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2007 20:50:03 +0000 (UTC)
>> Sender: owner-freebsd-current_at_freebsd.org
>>
>> On Sun, 04 Nov 2007 12:40:45 -0500, 韓家標 Bill Hacker wrote:
>>
>>> Marcin Wisnicki wrote:
>>>> Hi
>>>>
>>>> I thought it would be nice if there was a way to override rc.conf
>>>> variables during boot. Proposed patch implements this using kenv.
>>>>
>>>> With it, you can override any rc variable from loader.conf by prefixing
>>>> its name with 'rc.', some useful examples:
>>>>
>>> Pardon my stupidity... but does this over-ride over rides with other
>>> over rides...
>>>
>>> or what?
>> Pretty much, yes. Assuming I didn't overlook something, the order of
>> assignment is following:
>>
>> 1. suck in /etc/defaults/rc.conf
>> 2. try to set $rc_conf_files from kenv rc.rc_conf_files [*]
>>    otherwise leave it as defined in defaults
>> 3. source $rc_conf_files
>> 4. source /etc/rc.conf.d/$name_of_script
>> 5. for each kenv variable named rc.$var set $var [*]
>>
>> lines marked by [*] are added by my patch
>>
>>> ..and if so, ISTR there may be a better way already...
>>>
>> Not that I know of.
> 
> While I'm sure many will question the value of this if they use FreeBSD
> only on servers, I think it is of some value for desktops and
> substantial value for laptops where the environment is always changing.
> 
> For example, I might want to change network configuration or shutdown
> the Bluetooth and WiFi when flying.

Clearly a need for that. This PowerBook 17" has 'many' round the world trips on 
it, as does the '96 vintage Kapok that preceeded it, and a 486-class Thinkpad 
before that.

At the end of the day those toggles should be no more difficult w/o reboot on 
FreeBSD than they are on OS X ('nuf said..) or were even on OS/2 // eCS (swap 
config.sys w/o 'apparent' reboot).

And most are NOT more difficult. In nay case, I don't know that the proposed 
patch is particularly relevant to that need.

Mind - I like the concept.

My pet 'hot button' the BSD box that comes up to sshd, quasi-multi,  and with a 
usable 'fix the fat fingered comma fault' editor.

And 'mined' - static compiled into /bin - is nice to have even if I *am* within 
arm's length.

;-)

Bill