UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi Guys,

Our user crontab files are located at /var/spool/cron/crontabs.
I have to make some modifications to it.
I have all the crontab entries in a file called 'crontab.actual'. I made changes to this file and now I want to reload these changes from the crontab.actual file to my crontab file at /var/spool/cron/crontabs.

Could any of you suggest me how to reload the crontab file.

Thanks

I would make a backup of the original crontab file for each user, then overwrite it with the new file.
To let cron(d) recognize the change, you can use maybe on Linux something like

Code:

$> /etc/init.d/cron
Usage: /etc/init.d/cron {start|stop|status|try-restart|restart|force-reload|reload|probe}

If you happen to be on AIX, just kill the cron demon since it will be restartet be the respawn inittab entry.
No idea which Unix/Linux you are using.

Would this not do?:

Code:

crontab crontab.actual

Do I also need to give username?

Hi.

Sorry, I thought it was for the same user.

You can use:

Code:

su user -c "crontab file"

We are using solaris.

and our group name is "ems". The entry in the /var/spool/cron/crontabs is


Now, I have to modify this crontab file ems.

I have a backup of this file, I took a copy of the backup file and the file is crontab.actual. I made chnages to this file and now want to reload the entire crontab.actual file.

please suggest.

Does my previous suggestion not work? (I updated it perhaps after you first read it, but before you replied).