Editing and Understanding /etc/rc.conf: Turn on Services, Not Drama!

 

If FreeBSD is the operating system, then /etc/rc.conf is like its remote control. Through this file, you're telling the system:
“Hey, turn this on at boot time, will ya?” 

Let’s break down what’s inside rc.conf — don’t worry, you don’t need to be a wizard sysadmin to understand it.

What is /etc/rc.conf?

/etc/rc.conf is FreeBSD’s main configuration file for enabling services and setting basic system options. When the system boots, it reads this file to find out:

• What's your hostname?
• Which services should start automatically?
• Are you using DHCP or static IP?
• Should the firewall or SSH daemon start?

Spoiler alert: it won’t fix your life problems — just system ones. 

Location and Format

The file is located at:

/etc/rc.conf

The format is super simple:

variable="value"

Example:

hostname="funbsd.local"
sshd_enable="YES"
ifconfig_em0="DHCP"

YES or NO

Most entries follow this format:
servicename_enable="YES" or "NO"

• "YES" means start the service on boot.
• "NO" means don’t start it. Duh.

Example:

ntpd_enable="YES"      # enable NTP (for time sync)
mysql_enable="YES"     # start MySQL at boot

How to Edit rc.conf

Use your favorite text editor:

sudo vi /etc/rc.conf

Hate vi? Try:

sudo ee /etc/rc.conf

(ee stands for Easy Editor — perfect for folks who don’t want to fight their keyboard.)

Sample Configuration

hostname="myserver"
ifconfig_em0="DHCP"
sshd_enable="YES"
ntpd_enable="YES"
ntpdate_enable="YES"
mysql_enable="YES"
firewall_enable="YES"
firewall_type="open"

---

Check Running Services

Want to know which services are currently enabled?

service -e

Adding or Disabling Services

Installed something (e.g., nginx) and want it to run at boot?

echo 'nginx_enable="YES"' >> /etc/rc.conf

Or the cleaner way:

sysrc nginx_enable=YES

Want to disable it?

sysrc nginx_enable=NO

Tips

• Use sysrc to safely add/edit entries — it avoids typos and keeps the format clean.
• You can also use /etc/rc.conf.local to override settings without touching the main file.
• Don’t put comments mid-line. Place them at the end.

sshd_enable="YES"   # Enable SSH

/etc/rc.conf is FreeBSD’s startup control center. With this file, you can:

• Turn services on or off at boot
• Set your hostname, network, and firewall
• Look like a hacker while just typing “YES”