Runlevel

The runlevel is simply a description of the system state. For our purposes, it is easiest to say that (forRed Hat, at least – other systems, like_Suse_may differ):

• runlevel 0 = shutdown

• runlevel 1 = single user mode

• runlevel 3 = full multiuser mode / text login

• runlevel 5 = full multiuser / X11 / graphical login

• runlevel 6 = reboot

In the file_/etc/inittab_you will see a line similar to:

id:3:initdefault:

It is here that the default runlevel for the system is set. If you want a text login (which I would strongly suggest), set the above value to “3”. You can always use “startx” to get to the X Window GUI system. If you want a graphical login, you would edit the above line to contain a “5”.