crontab entries not executing

[Matthew Seaman]

Noah wrote:

> I just rebuilt a new 5.5 server and I am finding root's crontab entries
> are not being executed.  any body got some clues about how I can
> troubleshoot this issue so my cron entries are bring executed.

Verify that root's crontab does anything at all by running a simple
command every minute.  Eg. use 'crontab -u root -e' to add this
line to the root crontab:

    */1 * * * * /usr/bin/touch /tmp/foo

Then if you do 'ls -l /tmp/foo' you should see the timestamp changing
every minute.  Remember to remove this line once you're done testing.

If it doesn't, check that cron is enabled and running.  It is enabled
by default in /etc/defaults/rc.conf.

Examine /var/log/cron -- everything cron tries to run should be logged
there.

However, I suspect that the problem is the standard gotcha when using
cron.  Scripts run from cron get a very minimal environment.  In
particular you *will* need to set the PATH explicitly at the top of
your script. Something like this generally suffices:

    PATH=/bin:/usr/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/X11R6/bin:/sbin:/usr/sbin:/usr/local/sbin
    export PATH

Or else use fully qualified paths for any programs you call from the
script.

This is the primary cause of programs that work fine under test when
run from your login account but that do not work when run from cron.

	Cheers,

	Matthew

-- 
Dr Matthew J Seaman MA, D.Phil.                       7 Priory Courtyard
                                                      Flat 3
PGP: http://www.infracaninophile.co.uk/pgpkey         Ramsgate
                                                      Kent, CT11 9PW

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: signature.asc
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 250 bytes
Desc: OpenPGP digital signature
Url : http://lists.freebsd.org/pipermail/freebsd-questions/attachments/20060903/ee9ddbc4/signature.pgp