= Problem Statement =

At present, there are 101 SystemV services in the Precise main archive that have not yet been converted to Upstart jobs(*). This needs to be recified.

= Important services that need conversion =

This is a selected list, but the following are important services that we could start with:

• rabbitmq


• open-iscsi


• bind9


• apache


• postfix


• puppet


• postgresql


• tomcat6


• memcached

= Rationale for Change =

• Upstart is our init system of choice (SystemV is considered legacy).


• Although Upstart does handle SystemV jobs, undesirable behaviour can and does result when there exist relationships between SystemV and Upstart jobs.


• Upstart jobs are easier to maintain than SystemV jobs.


• Upstart jobs are simpler than SystemV jobs.


• Upstart jobs place the burden of managing certain repeated tasks on Upstart, rather than requiring each SystemV service to re-invent the wheel (often badly).


• We wish to segregate SystemV jobs from Upstart jobs to optimize system shutdown.


• See http://upstart.ubuntu.com/cookbook/#critique-of-the-system-v-init-system


• To allow Upstart to be fully integrated into Debian, SysV services scripts and Upstart job files need to exist for a package.

= Proposal =

• Muster Community interest in an effort to port the remaining SystemV jobs to Upstart: It's a great way to learn Upstart!


• Consider having an online sprint to concentrate on this activity for a few days(?)


• Identify individuals who can help out when questions arise (jamesodhunt, spamaps, vorlon, etc?)


• Leverage the work done in Fedora to migrate away from SystemV.


• Concentrate on the most popular services first.


• Review all Upstart jobs.


• Thorough testing required.

= Questions =

• Aside from time, what is slowing down the conversion activity?:
    - lack of examples? (We can blog and provide wiki examples)
    - lack of familiarity with upstart job syntax? (We can hold education sessions)
    - lack of ability to test the Upstart job versus the SysV service? (QA may be able to help here?)
    - concerns over migration to "alternative init systems"? (there are no plans to switch)
    - other?

= See Also =

https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/foundations-o-upstart-convert-main-initd-to-jobs

(*) - this number has fallen from the 122 SysV services in natty, so the number is falling slowly :)