Why is a process started if the dependent file does not exist?

[Claus Klein]

Hi,

I want to disable the start of a daemon until an barier file exist.
So I tried the following example configuration.

I do not expect that 'crond' is started if the
dependent file does not exist.

Too, after the message: 
        'crond' service timed out and will not be checked anymore

it should not started anymore, or not?

claus

P3linux:/etc # monit -v summary
monit: Debug: Adding host allow 'localhost' (127.0.0.1).
Runtime constants:
 Control file       = /etc/monitrc
 Log file           = syslog
 Pid file           = /var/run/monit.pid
 Debug              = True
 Log                = True
 Use syslog         = True
 Is Daemon          = True
 Use process engine = True
 Poll time          = 120 seconds
 Mail server(s)     = localhost
 Mail from          = address@hidden
 Mail subject       = monit alert --  $EVENT $SERVICE
 Mail message       = $EVENT Service $SERV..(truncated)
 Start monit httpd  = True
 httpd bind address = localhost
 httpd portnumber   = 2812
 httpd signature    = True
 Use ssl encryption = False
 httpd auth. style  = Basic Authentication and Host/Net allow list
 Alert mail to      = address@hidden
 Alert on           = All events

The service list contains the following entries:

...

Process Name          = crond
 Group                     = system
 Pid file                    = /var/run/crond.pid
 Monitoring mode    = active
 Start program        = /bin/logger -p local0.notice -t monit 'crond start'
 Stop program         = /bin/logger -p local0.notice -t monit 'crond stop'
 Depends on Service   = cron_rc
 Pid                          = if changed 1 times within 1 cycle(s) then alert
 Ppid                        = if changed 1 times within 1 cycle(s) then alert
 Timeout                  = If 5 restart within 5 cycles then unmonitor else if 
passed then alert

File Name                = cron_rc
 Group                     = system
 Path                       = /etc/init.d/crond
 Monitoring mode   = active

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The monit daemon 4.6 uptime: 33m

System 'P3linux'                    [1.30] [1.24] [1.38]
Process 'privoxy'                   running
Process 'snmpd'                    running
Process 'sshd'                       running
P3linux:/etc #                                    

P3linux:/etc # grep monit  /var/log/messages | tail -40
Nov  9 21:31:34 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' process is not running
Nov  9 21:31:34 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' trying to restart
Nov  9 21:31:34 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' start: /bin/logger
Nov  9 21:31:34 P3linux monit: crond start
Nov  9 21:31:34 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' file doesn't exist
Nov  9 21:31:34 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' trying to restart
Nov  9 21:33:34 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' failed to start
Nov  9 21:33:36 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' process is not running
Nov  9 21:33:36 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' trying to restart
Nov  9 21:33:36 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' start: /bin/logger
Nov  9 21:33:36 P3linux monit: crond start
Nov  9 21:33:36 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' file doesn't exist
Nov  9 21:33:36 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' trying to restart
Nov  9 21:35:36 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' failed to start
Nov  9 21:35:38 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' process is not running
Nov  9 21:35:38 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' trying to restart
Nov  9 21:35:38 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' start: /bin/logger
Nov  9 21:35:38 P3linux monit: crond start
Nov  9 21:35:38 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' file doesn't exist
Nov  9 21:35:38 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' trying to restart
Nov  9 21:37:38 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' failed to start
Nov  9 21:37:40 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' process is not running
Nov  9 21:37:40 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' trying to restart
Nov  9 21:37:40 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' start: /bin/logger
Nov  9 21:37:40 P3linux monit: crond start
Nov  9 21:37:40 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' file doesn't exist
Nov  9 21:37:40 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' trying to restart
Nov  9 21:39:40 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' failed to start
Nov  9 21:39:42 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' service timed out and will not be 
checked anymore
Nov  9 21:39:42 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' file doesn't exist
Nov  9 21:39:42 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' trying to restart
Nov  9 21:39:42 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' start: /bin/logger
Nov  9 21:39:42 P3linux monit: crond start
Nov  9 21:41:42 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' failed to start
Nov  9 21:41:44 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' process is not running
Nov  9 21:41:44 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' trying to restart
Nov  9 21:41:44 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' start: /bin/logger
Nov  9 21:41:44 P3linux monit: crond start
Nov  9 21:41:44 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' file doesn't exist
Nov  9 21:41:44 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' trying to restart

...

Nov  9 21:47:50 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' trying to restart
Nov  9 21:47:50 P3linux monit[2113]: 'crond' start: /bin/logger
Nov  9 21:47:50 P3linux monit: crond start
Nov  9 21:47:50 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' file doesn't exist
Nov  9 21:47:50 P3linux monit[2113]: 'cron_rc' trying to restart

P3linux:/etc #