How to add a crontab job in Debian Linux

[LotharIrausquin]

We are running CensorNet on a Debian Linux server.

This program is using two important daemons namely the squid daemon "/usr/local/squid/sbin/squid"
and dansguardian daemon "/usr/local/sbin/dansguardian".

Because these daemons tend to stop from time to time I need to configure the daemons to start every hour or so.

I need to edit the /etc/crontab file.

I am not sure if I need to put the "restart" command after the daemon.

If I am correct the crontab should look like something this:

min hr dmon mon wday user command
0 * * * * root /usr/local/squid/sbin/squid
0 * * * * root /usr/local/sbin/dansguardian


Do I have to put the "restart" (or "start" ) command after the daemon? Or can I leave it like this?

 

[Kozusnik]

If they're running as deamons, you may wish to use...

0 * * * * /etc/init.d/squid restart
0 * * * * /etc/init.d/dansguardian restart

Check in the /etc/init.d folder, otherwise, I don't think you need the "root" parameter, just edit the cron as root. That should work.

Your logic for the time is right, it will run the program at 0 minutes every hour.

Mark

 

[Annihilannic]

If they're in /etc/crontab, you do need to specify the user because that crontab file applies to any user.

If it's in root's own crontab (/var/spool/cron/root or something like that), i.e. the one you edit via crontab -e, then no username is required.

Annihilannic.

 

[Kozusnik]

You are correct, I mistakingly overlooked the pointer to the file as listed and suggested the use root's cron only.

Mark

 

[LotharIrausquin]

Kozusnik,

Thank you for your fast reply.

I did find the /etc/init.d/squid and /etc/init.d/dansguardian
services.

I logged in as root and used "crontab -e" to edit the crontab.
I typed :
0 * * * * /etc/init.d/squid restart
0 * * * * /etc/init.d/dansguardian restart

Is that OK or should I add the "root" between the last * and /etc/?

Let me know.

Lothar

 

[Kozusnik]

If you were logged in as root, then those jobs will run as root. That should do it.

Mark