Adding a common service on Ubuntu/Debian OS

In order to add a service on boot, we are using our own CLI tool called servicectl.

It is as easy to use as this:

sudo servicectl -e <service_name>

(Make sure the service is already running first with service <service_name> start)

So for mariadb, it would be:

sudo servicectl -e mariadb

To get more information on how to use servicectl, you can always display the full help:

sudo servicectl -h
Usage:

      --enable, -e [service]         Enable a service
      --disable, -d [service]        Disable a service
      --start, -s                    Start all enabled services
      --list, -l                     List all enabled services
      --help, -h                     Display this help message

servicectl is a Custom Wrapper that we have created to allow you to add on boot service to you containerized operating system. Servicectl is not the same as service or systemctl.

Creating and Managing Custom Services

Creating custom services allows you to run your own scripts or applications as services.

Our VPSmini doesn't use Systemd, we are using System V init scripts.

Creating a Custom SysVinit Service

source

Create the Init Script:

sudo nano /etc/init.d/myservice

Add Script Content:

#!/bin/sh
   ### BEGIN INIT INFO
   # Provides:          myservice
   # Required-Start:    $network
   # Required-Stop:     $network
   # Default-Start:     2 3 4 5
   # Default-Stop:      0 1 6
   # Short-Description: My Custom Service
   ### END INIT INFO

   case "$1" in
       start)
           echo "Starting myservice"
           /usr/local/bin/myscript.sh &
           ;;
       stop)
           echo "Stopping myservice"
           pkill -f /usr/local/bin/myscript.sh
           ;;
       *)
           echo "Usage: /etc/init.d/myservice {start|stop}"
           exit 1
           ;;
   esac
   exit 0

Make the Script Executable:

sudo chmod +x /etc/init.d/myservice

Enable the Service:

sudo update-rc.d myservice defaults

Start the Service:

sudo service myservice start

Managing Custom Services with SysVinit

Check the status of the custom service:

sudo service myservice status

Stop the custom service:

sudo service myservice stop

Restart the custom service:

sudo service myservice restart

Updated on: 25/02/2025