Disabling hald on SLES10 SP3 s390x architecture

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Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 3

Situation

Concerns s390x architecture only.
Modern mainframe setups often have a huge number of devices attached and active. While hotplugging (done by udev) is quite important on these systems, activation by a desktop user via hal is rarely needed. To avoid quite expensive CPU cycles by monitoring the system for hardware changes and to speed up the boot process, hald can be disabled. This TID explains how.

Resolution

An updated "sysconfig" rpm package needs to be installed to the system. The rpm is not distributed as a maintenance update. Customers are advised to contact SUSE Technical Services to request a Problem Temporary Fix (PTF) package.

Once the sysconfig PTF is installed the file /etc/init.d/network has to be edited. Move the word "haldaemon" from the "Required-Start" line to the "Should-Start" line, like in the following example:

# Required-Start: $local_fs dbus

# Should-Start: isdn haldaemon

Afterwards save the file. To disable hald in the running system, issue the command "rchal stop". In order to prevent the hal daemon from starting at next system startup run the command "insserv -r haldaemon".

Please be aware, that some packages like YaST and NetworkManager depend on hal. If you want to use them, do not disable hal.

Disclaimer

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