---
name: "intro"
section: "8"
platform: "openbsd"
package: "man"
version: "8.0-current-20261101"
release: "OpenBSD 8.0-current (2026-11-01)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/intro/8"
---

# intro(8)

introduction to system maintenance and operation commands

## NAME

**intro** – introduction to system maintenance and operation commands

## DESCRIPTION

The manual pages in section 8 contain information related to system operation and maintenance. They describe commands concerning file systems, such as [edquota(8)](/edquota/8.md), [fsck(8)](/fsck/8.md), [mount(8)](/mount/8.md), and [newfs(8)](/newfs/8.md). They also cover commands concerning system backup/recovery, such as [dump(8)](/dump/8.md) and [restore(8)](/restore/8.md).

There are pages which document the running of the system, such as afterboot(8), [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md), [security(8)](/security/8.md), and the configuration files located in */etc*. Procedures concerning system failure are documented in [crash(8)](/crash/8.md).

Section 8 pages also describe network services and daemons. The rest of this page discusses some of the main daemons available on the OpenBSD system, and how to enable/disable them.

System daemons are controlled by the script [rc(8)](/rc/8.md), which is in turn configured by [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md). For example the HTTP daemon [httpd(8)](/httpd/8.md) is controlled by the following line from [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md):

```
httpd_flags=NO
```

Thus it is not started by default. To enable or disable daemon processes, administrators should edit the file rc.conf.local(8) or use the [rcctl(8)](/rcctl/8.md) utility. The rc.conf.local(8) file overrides variable assignments in [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md). So to enable [httpd(8)](/httpd/8.md), the following line might be added to */etc/rc.conf.local*:

```
httpd_flags="-v"
```

As can be seen above, this method is also used to specify additional options.

Below is a list of some of the daemons available. For further information, see [rc(8)](/rc/8.md) and the individual pages for the utilities.

### Automounter daemon (amd)

If using the [amd(8)](/amd/8.md) daemon, go into the */etc/amd* directory and set it up by renaming *master.sample* to *master* and editing it and creating other maps as needed. Alternatively, you can get your maps with YP.

Relevant [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md) variables: *amd\_flags* and *amd\_master*.

### DNS server

If you are using a name server, check the */etc/resolv.conf* file. It may look something like:

```
domain nts.umn.edu
nameserver 128.101.101.101
nameserver 134.84.84.84
search nts.umn.edu. umn.edu.
lookup file bind
```

If using a caching name server, add the line "nameserver 127.0.0.1" first.

Relevant [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md) variables: *nsd\_flags* and *unbound\_flags*.

### Clock synchronisation

In order to make sure the system clock is correct, it may be synchronised with a number of external sources. The utilities available are: [ntpd(8)](/ntpd/8.md) and [rdate(8)](/rdate/8.md).

Relevant [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md) variables: *ntpd\_flags*.

### BOOTP/DHCP server

If this is a BOOTP or DHCP server, edit */etc/dhcpd.conf* as needed. See also [diskless(8)](/diskless/8.md).

Relevant [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md) variables: *bootparamd\_flags*, *dhcpd\_flags*, and *dhcrelay\_flags*.

### HP remote boot server

Edit */etc/rbootd.conf* if needed for remote booting. If you do not have HP computers doing remote booting, do not enable this. See also [diskless(8)](/diskless/8.md).

Relevant [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md) variables: *rbootd\_flags*.

### httpd web server (HTTP)

On OpenBSD it will [chroot(2)](/chroot/2.md) to */var/www*. Detailed information is available in [httpd(8)](/httpd/8.md) and [httpd.conf(5)](/httpd.conf/5.md).

Relevant [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md) variables: *httpd\_flags*.

### NFS server

If this is an NFS server, edit */etc/exports*.

Relevant [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md) variables: *mountd\_flags* and *nfsd\_flags*.

### Relay Daemon

A relay daemon, [relayd(8)](/relayd/8.md), able to run as a load-balancer, application layer gateway, or transparent proxy.

Relevant [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md) variables: *relayd\_flags*.

### Routing Daemons

Various daemons for managing routing tables are available: [bgpd(8)](/bgpd/8.md), [eigrpd(8)](/eigrpd/8.md), [ospfd(8)](/ospfd/8.md), and [ripd(8)](/ripd/8.md).

Relevant [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md) variables: *bgpd\_flags*, *eigrpd\_flags*, *ospfd\_flags*, and *ripd\_flags*.

### RPC-based network services

Several services depend on the RPC portmapper, [portmap(8)](/portmap/8.md), being running for proper operation. This includes YP and NFS exports, among other services.

Relevant [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md) variables: *portmap\_flags*.

### YP setup

Check the YP domain name with the [domainname(1)](/domainname/1.md) command. If necessary, correct it by editing the */etc/defaultdomain* file (see [defaultdomain(5)](/defaultdomain/5.md)). The */etc/netstart* script reads this file on boot to determine and set the domain name. You may also set the running system's domain name with the [domainname(1)](/domainname/1.md) command.

Relevant [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md) variables: *ypbind\_flags*.

After starting YP client services, perform the remaining YP activation as described in [passwd(5)](/passwd/5.md) and [group(5)](/group/5.md).

In particular, to enable YP passwd support, you'll need to add the following line to */etc/master.passwd*:

```
+:*::::::::
```

You do this by using [vipw(8)](/vipw/8.md).

There are many more YP man pages available to help you. You can find more information by starting with [yp(8)](/yp/8.md).

## SEE ALSO

afterboot(8), [rc(8)](/rc/8.md), [rc.conf(8)](/rc.conf/8.md), [rcctl(8)](/rcctl/8.md)

## HISTORY

An **intro** manual for section 8 appeared in 4.2BSD.