systemd-soft-reboot.service(8) — Linux manual page

NAME | SYNOPSIS | DESCRIPTION | RESOURCE PASS-THROUGH | NOTES | SEE ALSO | NOTES | COLOPHON

SYSTEMD-....SERVICE(8) systemd-soft-reboot.serviceSYSTEMD-....SERVICE(8)

NAME         top

       systemd-soft-reboot.service - Userspace reboot operation

SYNOPSIS         top

       systemd-soft-reboot.service

DESCRIPTION         top

       systemd-soft-reboot.service is a system service that is pulled in
       by soft-reboot.target and is responsible for performing a
       userspace-only reboot operation. When invoked, it will send the
       SIGTERM signal to any processes left running (but does not wait
       for the processes to exit), and follow up with SIGKILL. If the
       /run/nextroot/ directory exists (which may be a regular
       directory, a directory mount point or a symlink to either) then
       it will switch the file system root to it. It then reexecutes the
       service manager off the (possibly now new) root file system,
       which will enqueue a new boot transaction as in a normal reboot.

       Such a userspace-only reboot operation permits updating or
       resetting the entirety of userspace with minimal downtime, as the
       reboot operation does not transition through:

       •   The second phase of regular shutdown, as implemented by
           systemd-shutdown(8).

       •   The third phase of regular shutdown, i.e. the return to the
           initrd context.

       •   The hardware reboot operation.

       •   The firmware initialization.

       •   The boot loader initialization.

       •   The kernel initialization.

       •   The initrd initialization.

       However this form of reboot comes with drawbacks as well:

       •   The OS update remains incomplete, as the kernel is not reset
           and continues running.

       •   Kernel settings (such as /proc/sys/ settings, a.k.a.
           "sysctl", or /sys/ settings) are not reset.

       These limitations may be addressed by various means, which are
       outside of the scope of this documentation, such as kernel
       live-patching and sufficiently comprehensive /etc/sysctl.d/
       files.

RESOURCE PASS-THROUGH         top

       Various runtime OS resources can passed from a system runtime to
       the next, through the userspace reboot operation. Specifically:

       •   File descriptors placed in the file descriptor store of
           services that remain active until the very end are passed to
           the next boot, where they are placed in the file descriptor
           store of the same unit. For this to work, units must declare
           DefaultDependencies=no (and avoid a manual
           Conflicts=shutdown.target or similar) to ensure they are not
           terminated as usual during the system shutdown operation.
           Alternatively, use FileDescriptorStorePreserve= to allow the
           file descriptor store to remain pinned even when the unit is
           down. See systemd.service(5) for details about the file
           descriptor store.

       •   Similar to this, file descriptors associated with .socket
           units remain open (and connectible) if the units are not
           stopped during the transition. (Achieved by
           DefaultDependencies=no.)

       •   The /run/ file system remains mounted and populated and may
           be used to pass state information between such userspace
           reboot cycles.

       •   Service processes may continue to run over the transition,
           past soft-reboot and into the next session, if they are
           placed in services that remain active until the very end of
           shutdown (which again is achieved via
           DefaultDependencies=no). They must also be set up to avoid
           being killed by the aforementioned SIGTERM and SIGKILL via
           SurviveFinalKillSignal=yes, and also be configured to avoid
           being stopped on isolate via IgnoreOnIsolate=yes. They also
           have to be configured to be stopped on normal shutdown,
           reboot and maintenance mode. Finally, they have to be ordered
           after basic.target to ensure correct ordering on boot. Note
           that in case any new or custom units are used to isolate to,
           or that implement an equivalent shutdown functionality, they
           will also have to be configured manually for correct ordering
           and conflicting. For example:

               [Unit]
               Description=My Surviving Service
               SurviveFinalKillSignal=yes
               IgnoreOnIsolate=yes
               DefaultDependencies=no
               After=basic.target
               Conflicts=reboot.target kexec.target poweroff.target halt.target rescue.target emergency.target
               Before=shutdown.target rescue.target emergency.target

               [Service]
               Type=oneshot
               ExecStart=sleep infinity

       •   On top of the above, templated units also need a
           configuration file for their slice, as they by default use a
           slice named after the non-templated part of the unit. For
           example, for a [email protected] instance, a system-foo.slice
           unit may be added with the following content:

               [Unit]
               SurviveFinalKillSignal=yes
               IgnoreOnIsolate=yes
               DefaultDependencies=no

       •   File system mounts may remain mounted during the transition,
           and complex storage attached, if configured to remain until
           the very end of the shutdown process. (Also achieved via
           DefaultDependencies=no, and by avoiding
           Conflicts=umount.target)

       •   If the unit publishes a service over D-Bus, the connection
           needs to be re-established after soft-reboot as the D-Bus
           broker will be stopped and then started again. When using the
           sd-bus library this can be achieved by adapting the following
           example.

               /* SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT-0 */

               /* A D-Bus service that automatically reconnects when the system bus is
                * restarted.
                *
                * Compile with 'cc sd_bus_service_reconnect.c $(pkg-config --libs --cflags libsystemd)'
                *
                * To allow the program to take ownership of the name 'org.freedesktop.ReconnectExample',
                * add the following as /etc/dbus-1/system.d/org.freedesktop.ReconnectExample.conf
                * and then reload the broker with 'systemctl reload dbus':

               <?xml version="1.0"?> <!--*-nxml-*-->
               <!DOCTYPE busconfig PUBLIC "-//freedesktop//DTD D-BUS Bus Configuration 1.0//EN"
                 "http://www.freedesktop.org/standards/dbus/1.0/busconfig.dtd">
               <busconfig>
                 <policy user="root">
                   <allow own="org.freedesktop.ReconnectExample"/>
                   <allow send_destination="org.freedesktop.ReconnectExample"/>
                   <allow receive_sender="org.freedesktop.ReconnectExample"/>
                 </policy>

                 <policy context="default">
                   <allow send_destination="org.freedesktop.ReconnectExample"/>
                   <allow receive_sender="org.freedesktop.ReconnectExample"/>
                 </policy>
               </busconfig>

                *
                * To get the property via busctl:
                *
                * $ busctl --user get-property org.freedesktop.ReconnectExample \
                *                              /org/freedesktop/ReconnectExample \
                *                              org.freedesktop.ReconnectExample \
                *                              Example
                * s "example"
                */

               #include <errno.h>
               #include <stdio.h>
               #include <stdlib.h>
               #include <systemd/sd-bus.h>

               #define _cleanup_(f) __attribute__((cleanup(f)))

               static int log_error(int r, const char *str) {
                 fprintf(stderr, "%s failed: %s\n", str, strerror(-r));
                 return r;
               }

               typedef struct object {
                 const char *example;
                 sd_bus **bus;
                 sd_event **event;
               } object;

               static int property_get(
                               sd_bus *bus,
                               const char *path,
                               const char *interface,
                               const char *property,
                               sd_bus_message *reply,
                               void *userdata,
                               sd_bus_error *error) {

                 object *o = userdata;

                 if (strcmp(property, "Example") == 0)
                   return sd_bus_message_append(reply, "s", o->example);

                 return sd_bus_error_setf(error,
                                          SD_BUS_ERROR_UNKNOWN_PROPERTY,
                                          "Unknown property '%s'",
                                          property);
               }

               /* https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_add_object.html */
               static const sd_bus_vtable vtable[] = {
                 SD_BUS_VTABLE_START(0),
                 SD_BUS_PROPERTY(
                   "Example", "s",
                   property_get,
                   0,
                   SD_BUS_VTABLE_PROPERTY_CONST),
                 SD_BUS_VTABLE_END
               };

               static int setup(object *o);

               static int on_disconnect(sd_bus_message *message, void *userdata, sd_bus_error *ret_error) {
                 int r;

                 r = setup((object *)userdata);
                 if (r < 0) {
                   object *o = userdata;
                   r = sd_event_exit(*o->event, r);
                   if (r < 0)
                     return log_error(r, "sd_event_exit()");
                 }

                 return 1;
               }

               /* Ensure the event loop exits with a clear error if acquiring the well-known
                * service name fails */
               static int request_name_callback(sd_bus_message *m, void *userdata, sd_bus_error *ret_error) {
                 int r;

                 if (!sd_bus_message_is_method_error(m, NULL))
                   return 1;

                 const sd_bus_error *error = sd_bus_message_get_error(m);

                 if (sd_bus_error_has_names(error, SD_BUS_ERROR_TIMEOUT, SD_BUS_ERROR_NO_REPLY))
                   return 1; /* The bus is not available, try again later */

                 fprintf(stderr, "Failed to request name: %s\n", error->message);
                 object *o = userdata;
                 r = sd_event_exit(*o->event, -sd_bus_error_get_errno(error));
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_event_exit()");

                 return 1;
               }

               static int setup(object *o) {
                 int r;

                 /* If we are reconnecting, then the bus object needs to be closed, detached
                  * from the event loop and recreated.
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_detach_event.html
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_close_unref.html
                  */
                 if (*o->bus) {
                   r = sd_bus_detach_event(*o->bus);
                   if (r < 0)
                     return log_error(r, "sd_bus_detach_event()");
                   *o->bus = sd_bus_close_unref(*o->bus);
                 }

                 /* Set up a new bus object for the system bus, configure it to wait for D-Bus
                  * to be available instead of failing if it is not, and start it. All the
                  * following operations are asynchronous and will not block waiting for D-Bus
                  * to be available.
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_new.html
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_set_address.html
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_set_bus_client.html
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_negotiate_creds.html
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_set_watch_bind.html
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_set_connected_signal.html
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_start.html
                  */
                 r = sd_bus_new(o->bus);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_bus_new()");
                 r = sd_bus_set_address(*o->bus, "unix:path=/run/dbus/system_bus_socket");
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_bus_set_address()");
                 r = sd_bus_set_bus_client(*o->bus, 1);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_bus_set_bus_client()");
                 r = sd_bus_negotiate_creds(*o->bus, 1, SD_BUS_CREDS_UID|SD_BUS_CREDS_EUID|SD_BUS_CREDS_EFFECTIVE_CAPS);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_bus_negotiate_creds()");
                 r = sd_bus_set_watch_bind(*o->bus, 1);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_bus_set_watch_bind()");
                 r = sd_bus_start(*o->bus);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_bus_start()");

                 /* Publish an interface on the bus, specifying our well-known object access
                  * path and public interface name.
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_add_object.html
                  * https://dbus.freedesktop.org/doc/dbus-tutorial.html
                  */
                 r = sd_bus_add_object_vtable(*o->bus,
                                              NULL,
                                              "/org/freedesktop/ReconnectExample",
                                              "org.freedesktop.ReconnectExample",
                                              vtable,
                                              o);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_bus_add_object_vtable()");
                 /* By default the service is only assigned an ephemeral name. Also add a
                  * well-known one, so that clients know whom to call. This needs to be
                  * asynchronous, as D-Bus might not be yet available. The callback will check
                  * whether the error is expected or not, in case it fails.
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_request_name.html
                  */
                 r = sd_bus_request_name_async(*o->bus,
                                               NULL,
                                               "org.freedesktop.ReconnectExample",
                                               0,
                                               request_name_callback,
                                               o);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_bus_request_name_async()");
                 /* When D-Bus is disconnected this callback will be invoked, which will set up
                  * the connection again. This needs to be asynchronous, as D-Bus might not yet
                  * be available.
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_match_signal_async.html
                  */
                 r = sd_bus_match_signal_async(*o->bus,
                                               NULL,
                                               "org.freedesktop.DBus.Local",
                                               NULL,
                                               "org.freedesktop.DBus.Local",
                                               "Disconnected",
                                               on_disconnect,
                                               NULL,
                                               o);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_bus_match_signal_async()");
                 /* Attach the bus object to the event loop so that calls and signals are
                  * processed.
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_attach_event.html
                  */
                 r = sd_bus_attach_event(*o->bus, *o->event, 0);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_bus_attach_event()");

                 return 0;
               }

               int main(int argc, char **argv) {
                 /* The bus should be relinquished before the program terminates. The cleanup
                  * attribute allows us to do it nicely and cleanly whenever we exit the block.
                  */
                 _cleanup_(sd_bus_flush_close_unrefp) sd_bus *bus = NULL;
                 _cleanup_(sd_event_unrefp) sd_event *event = NULL;
                 object o = {
                   .example = "example",
                   .bus = &bus,
                   .event = &event,
                 };
                 int r;

                 /* Create an event loop data structure, with default parameters.
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_event_default.html
                  */
                 r = sd_event_default(&event);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_event_default()");

                 /* By default the event loop will terminate when all sources have disappeared,
                  * so we have to keep it 'occupied'. Register signal handling to do so.
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_event_add_signal.html
                  */
                 r = sd_event_add_signal(event, NULL, SIGINT|SD_EVENT_SIGNAL_PROCMASK, NULL, NULL);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_event_add_signal(SIGINT)");

                 r = sd_event_add_signal(event, NULL, SIGTERM|SD_EVENT_SIGNAL_PROCMASK, NULL, NULL);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_event_add_signal(SIGTERM)");

                 r = setup(&o);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return EXIT_FAILURE;

                 /* Enter the main loop, it will exit only on sigint/sigterm.
                  * https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_event_loop.html
                  */
                 r = sd_event_loop(event);
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_event_loop()");

                 /* https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/sd_bus_release_name.html */
                 r = sd_bus_release_name(bus, "org.freedesktop.ReconnectExample");
                 if (r < 0)
                   return log_error(r, "sd_bus_release_name()");

                 return 0;
               }

       Even though passing resources from one soft reboot cycle to the
       next is possible this way, we strongly suggest to use this
       functionality sparingly only, as it creates a more fragile system
       as resources from different versions of the OS and applications
       might be mixed with unforeseen consequences. In particular it's
       recommended to avoid allowing processes to survive the soft
       reboot operation, as this means code updates will necessarily be
       incomplete, and processes typically pin various other resources
       (such as the file system they are backed by), thus increasing
       memory usage (as two versions of the OS/application/file system
       might be kept in memory). Leaving processes running during a
       soft-reboot operation requires disconnecting the service
       comprehensively from the rest of the OS, i.e. minimizing IPC and
       reducing sharing of resources with the rest of the OS. A possible
       mechanism to achieve this is the concept of Portable Services[1],
       but make sure no resource from the host's OS filesystems is
       pinned via BindPaths= or similar unit settings, otherwise the
       old, originating filesystem will remain mounted as long as the
       unit is running.

NOTES         top

       Note that because systemd-shutdown(8) is not executed, the
       executables in /usr/lib/systemd/system-shutdown/ are not executed
       either.

       Note that systemd-soft-reboot.service (and related units) should
       never be executed directly. Instead, trigger system shutdown with
       a command such as "systemctl soft-reboot".

       Note that if a new root file system has been set up on
       "/run/nextroot/", a soft-reboot will be performed when the reboot
       command is invoked.

SEE ALSO         top

       systemd(1), systemctl(1), systemd.special(7),
       systemd-poweroff.service(8), systemd-suspend.service(8),
       bootup(7)

NOTES         top

        1. Portable Services
           https://systemd.io/PORTABLE_SERVICES

COLOPHON         top

       This page is part of the systemd (systemd system and service
       manager) project.  Information about the project can be found at
       ⟨http://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/systemd⟩.  If you have
       a bug report for this manual page, see
       ⟨http://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/systemd/#bugreports⟩.
       This page was obtained from the project's upstream Git repository
       ⟨https://github.com/systemd/systemd.git⟩ on 2024-06-14.  (At that
       time, the date of the most recent commit that was found in the
       repository was 2024-06-13.)  If you discover any rendering
       problems in this HTML version of the page, or you believe there
       is a better or more up-to-date source for the page, or you have
       corrections or improvements to the information in this COLOPHON
       (which is not part of the original manual page), send a mail to
       [email protected]

systemd 257~devel                                 SYSTEMD-....SERVICE(8)

Pages that refer to this page: systemctl(1)sd_bus_set_watch_bind(3)systemd.exec(5)bootup(7)systemd.directives(7)systemd.index(7)systemd.special(7)systemd-poweroff.service(8)