Modern way of /etc/motd - FireMotd for linux
While developing, playing or working on Linux systems, a dynamic MotD generator script can quickly give you an overview of all used components of your Linux systems.
FireMotD can show you this information in a sanitized and colorful way while you log in with SSH or console.
Depending of the chosen theme FireMotD will output all information defined in the theme on your server.
We need EPEL repository to be installed and enabled in the server to install the dependency packages.
If you don't have root access, just install everything on your user's folder and source the file from your user's .profile file
The recommended way to generate /var/tmp/FireMotD.json is by creating a separate cron file for firemotd like this:
sudo vim /etc/cron.d/firemotd
sudo crontab -e
You may call FireMotD from a few different locations for running globally.
Eg./etc/bash.bashrc, /etc/profile.
we use /etc/profile, so add the line to this file.
Depending of the chosen theme FireMotD will output all information defined in the theme on your server.
We need EPEL repository to be installed and enabled in the server to install the dependency packages.
Install Dependencies
You need to install the required dependencies as shown below.
yum install bc sysstat jq moreutilsAfter installing the dependencies, clone/download or copy the FireMotd to the root directory as shown.
git clone https://github.com/OutsideIT/FireMotD.gitChange to the FireMotd directory and run the below commands
You need to have make installed on the system, if you want to use the Makefile.
To install to /usr/local/bin/FireMotD
sudo make installWith this you can probably run FireMotD from anywhere in your system. If not, you need to add /usr/local/bin to your $PATH variable. To adjust the installation path, change the var IDIR=/usr/local/bin in the Makefile to the path you want.
To install bash autocompletion support
sudo make bash_completionWith this you can use TAB to autocomplete parameters and options with FireMotD. Does not require the sudo make install above (system install), but requires the bash-completion package to be installed and working. Then you should logout-login or source the bash completion file, eg. $ . /etc/bash_completion.d/FireMotD
If you don't have root access, just install everything on your user's folder and source the file from your user's .profile file
Crontab to get system information
Root privilege is required for this operation. Only /etc/crontab and the files in /etc/cron.d/ have a username field.
The recommended way to generate /var/tmp/FireMotD.json is by creating a separate cron file for firemotd like this:
sudo vim /etc/cron.d/firemotd
# FireMotD system updates check (randomly execute between 0:00:00 and 5:59:59)
0 0
* * * root perl -e 'sleep int(rand(21600))' && /usr/local/bin/FireMotD -S &>/dev/null
But you can also put it in root's crontab (without the user field):
But you can also put it in root's crontab (without the user field):
sudo crontab -e
# FireMotD system updates check (randomly execute between 0:00:00 and 5:59:59)
0 0
* * * perl -e 'sleep int(rand(21600))' && /usr/local/bin/FireMotD -S &>/dev/null
Edit the user's ~/.profile file, ~/.bash_profile file, or the ~/.bashrc file
nano ~/.profile
Add the FireMotD call at the end of the file (choose your theme)
Adding FireMotD to run on login
Choosing where to run your script is kind of situational. Some files will only run on remote logins, other local logins, or even both. You should find out what suits best your needs on each case.
To add FireMotD to a single user
Edit the user's ~/.profile file, ~/.bash_profile file, or the ~/.bashrc file
nano ~/.profile
Add the FireMotD call at the end of the file (choose your theme)
/usr/local/bin/FireMotD -t blue
To add FireMotD to all users
You may call FireMotD from a few different locations for running globally.
Eg./etc/bash.bashrc, /etc/profile.
we use /etc/profile, so add the line to this file.
Color outputs :
Blue
Red
Gray
