inetdconf

inetdconf is a configuration tool for the inetd (Internet Daemon) service. Inetd acts as a super-server, listening for incoming network requests on behalf of other network services. When a request arrives, inetd starts the appropriate service program to handle it. inetdconf simplifies the process of configuring which services inetd should manage and how it should manage them.

The configuration for inetd is typically stored in a file, often named /etc/inetd.conf. This file contains entries that specify the service, the network protocol it uses (e.g., TCP or UDP), the port number it listens on, the user account under which the service should run, and the path to the executable program that handles the service.

inetdconf provides a user-friendly interface to edit this configuration file. Instead of manually editing the plain text file, which can be error-prone, inetdconf offers a structured way to add, remove, or modify service entries. It often validates the input to ensure that the configuration is syntactically correct, preventing common mistakes that could lead to inetd failing to start or manage services properly.

After making changes with inetdconf, the inetd service usually needs to be reloaded or restarted for the new configuration to take effect. This ensures that inetd begins listening for requests according to the updated settings. In essence, inetdconf serves as a management utility to streamline the administration of the inetd super-server and its associated network services.