Well, the only issue with rc.local file is that this file does not exist in modern Debian flavors.
For the old fashion guys like me that is an issue, at least for ten minutes. :)
So, what can we do about? We have at least two options:
To forgot about rc.local and start your task using init.d scripts, or
To enable the rc.local script.
Both ways have pluses and minuses and is up to you what way you will choose. For myself, I prefer the first way. Yes, it's a little bit strange to make a script for each task you will run at boot but you have a better granularity and control over the process.
Nevertheless, one way or another, following the next steps you will have a script that run on boot (or in rcS.d, or in rcX.d) :)
The first option:
Making init.d scripts, copy and paste this code and do the modifications in the start, stop sections. Save it to /etc/init.d/ folder and set the executions rights (chmod +x /etc/init.d/your-script-name).
#! /bin/sh
### BEGIN INIT INFO
# Provides: your-script-name
# Required-Start: $remote_fs $syslog
# Required-Stop: $remote_fs $syslog
# Default-Start: 2 3 4 5
# Default-Stop: 0 1 6
# Short-Description: Start daemon at boot time
# Description: Enable service provided by daemon.
### END INIT INFO
# Some scripts that run always (it is not mandatory...)
touch /var/lock/your_script
# Carry out specific functions when asked to by the system
case "$1" in
start)
echo "Starting script your-script-name"
echo "Some info about..."
/usr/local/bin/your-script #of course, this is an example
;;
stop)
echo "Stopping script your-script-name"
echo "Some info about..."
killall -9 your-script #of course, this is an example
;;
restart)
$0 stop
$0 start
;;
*)
echo "Usage: /etc/init.d/your-script-name {start|stop|restart}"
exit 1
;;
esac
exit 0
##################### End script
# Adding the init.d script to default targets (in this case to level 2,3,4, and 5, see the script headers)
root@linuxhorizon:~# update-rc.d your-script-name defaults
# Removing
root@linuxhoriozn:/etc/rc2.d# update-rc.d -f your-script-name remove
The second option:
Making the rc.local script
root@linuxhorizon:~# cat > /etc/rc.local
#!/bin/sh -e
#
# rc.local
#
# This script is executed at the end of each multiuser runlevel.
# Make sure that the script will "exit 0" on success or any other
# value on error.
#
# In order to enable or disable this script just change the execution
# bits.
#
# By default this script does nothing.
/put/your/script/here
exit 0
############### End rc.local
root@linuxhorizon:~# chmod +x /etc/rc.local
root@linuxhorizon:~# systemctl start rc-local
root@linuxhorizon:~# systemctl status rc-local
Now it's a good time for a coffee! :) By the way, do you know how it look the caffeine molecule? Probably you don't, so here it is, click to enlarge!