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I made some changes to sysctl.conf but now need to run sysctl -p on each boot. I can always create an init script to have it run automatically on boot, but I was wondering if there was an Ubuntu / Debian way of doing it.

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3 Answers 3

Reset to default
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There is a better and more ellegant way:

create your configuration file on /etc/sysctl.d/ directory.

For example, if you changing kernel parameters due to database requirements, create a file:

/etc/sysctl.d/60-mysql.conf

and add your own parameters inside it. To execute it:

service procps restart

Just to note:

  • procps is a system file and it should NEVER be edited.

  • /etc/sysctl.conf should not be edited either because it can be changed on a system/kernel upgrade and if it's differente from expected, upgrade will be halted asking if newer version can replace current one.

Reference: http://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/precise/man8/sysctl.8.html

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You add your desired sysctls into /etc/sysctl.conf and they will be applied at boot time. However, if you have updated /etc/sysctl.conf and what to apply it immediately, run:

sudo sysctl --system
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  • It's actually sysctl -p to reload /etc/sysctl.conf file. You can also read the settings from your own file, by specifying it after the -p option, for example sysctl -p /home/user/custom.conf.
    – Cleankod
    Jan 15, 2014 at 14:33
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On Ubuntu the Upstart job procps (/etc/init/procps.conf) already does that for you.

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  • 1
    Hi Florian, I understand that your post has the intention to be educational. But an unwary user could imagine that he/she have to edit procps.conf what would be a disaster, don't you agree?
    – josircg
    Feb 22, 2014 at 12:56
  • it turns out there is more than just sysctl.conf and procps.conf: the issue with pm-utils and laptop-mode
    – xealits
    Nov 9, 2017 at 11:58

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