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Changing the Default Target of a System

Runlevels have changed significantly as Linux distributions have migrated from sysvinit to systemd. Understanding how runlevels are configured in systemd is paramount to successfully making that transition. After completing this activity, the student will have a firm understanding of how the new system 'targets' control the runlevels of your distribution.

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Path Info

Level
Clock icon Intermediate
Duration
Clock icon 30m
Last updated
Clock icon Jun 07, 2025

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Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Move New Target Into Appropriate Location

    The student will need to move the file called 'custom.target' to the appropriate system directory so that it can be used to set the new default runlevel.

  2. Challenge

    New Default Target File Permission Set Correctly

    The new 'custom.target' file will need to be in the proper system directory '/etc/systemd/system' and have the permissions of 744.

  3. Challenge

    The Default System Target is Set to the Custom Target

    Finally, the student will be setting the default system runlevel target to be the newly installed 'custom.target'.

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