What is a run level?

●
Run level is simply a number that Linux uses
to distinguish different types of high-level
configurations that the machine should be
booted into.
●
A runlevel is a software configuration of the
system which allows only a selected group of
processes to exist
●
"Run level" defines the state of the machine
after boot
A runlevel is a mode of operation of the Linux
OS, that provides a particular set of services.
The runlevel is defined in the /etc/ inittab file.
The init program launches--- the rc script located in the /etc/rc.d directory,
with a parameter that includes the runlevel to use.
The rc script then starts the appropriate system services based on the selected
runlevel.
A subdirectory exists for each runlevel, located in the /etc/rc.d directory. For
example, the directories /etc/rc.d/rc3.d include files that control which
system services are used in runlevel 3. Runlevel subdirectories, such as
/etc/rc.d/rc3.d, contain files that indicate which services are to be started or
stopped when using that runlevel.

Each file in these runlevel directories begin with a K or an S, followed by a

two-digit number.
The number indicates the order in which services are started or stopped.
Services that begin with a K, are stopped (killed);
Services that begin with an S are started.
 Linux Shell
The shell sits between you and the operating system,
acting as a command interpreter.

It reads your terminal input and translates the

commands into actions taken by the system. The shell
is analogous to command.com in DOS.

When you log into the system you are given a default
shell.

When the shell starts up it reads its startup files and

may set environment variables, command search
paths, and command aliases, and executes any
commands specified in these files.