guix.texi

When set to @code{#t} in conjunction with @var{auto-login}, the user
will have to press a key before the log-in shell is launched.

@item @code{mingetty} (default: @var{mingetty})
The Mingetty package to use.

@end table
@end deftp

@cindex name service cache daemon
@cindex nscd
@deffn {Scheme Procedure} nscd-service [@var{config}] [#:glibc glibc] @
                [#:name-services '()]
Return a service that runs libc's name service cache daemon (nscd) with the
given @var{config}---an @code{<nscd-configuration>} object.  @xref{Name
Service Switch}, for an example.
@end deffn

@defvr {Scheme Variable} %nscd-default-configuration
This is the default @code{<nscd-configuration>} value (see below) used
by @code{nscd-service}.  This uses the caches defined by
@var{%nscd-default-caches}; see below.
@end defvr

@deftp {Data Type} nscd-configuration
This is the type representing the name service cache daemon (nscd)
configuration.

@table @asis

@item @code{name-services} (default: @code{'()})
List of packages denoting @dfn{name services} that must be visible to
the nscd---e.g., @code{(list @var{nss-mdns})}.

@item @code{glibc} (default: @var{glibc})
Package object denoting the GNU C Library providing the @command{nscd}
command.

@item @code{log-file} (default: @code{"/var/log/nscd.log"})
Name of nscd's log file.  This is where debugging output goes when
@code{debug-level} is strictly positive.

@item @code{debug-level} (default: @code{0})
Integer denoting the debugging levels.  Higher numbers mean more
debugging output is logged.

@item @code{caches} (default: @var{%nscd-default-caches})
List of @code{<nscd-cache>} objects denoting things to be cached; see
below.

@end table
@end deftp

@deftp {Data Type} nscd-cache
Data type representing a cache database of nscd and its parameters.

@table @asis

@item @code{database}
This is a symbol representing the name of the database to be cached.
Valid values are @code{passwd}, @code{group}, @code{hosts}, and
@code{services}, which designate the corresponding NSS database
(@pxref{NSS Basics,,, libc, The GNU C Library Reference Manual}).

@item @code{positive-time-to-live}
@itemx @code{negative-time-to-live} (default: @code{20})
A number representing the number of seconds during which a positive or
negative lookup result remains in cache.

@item @code{check-files?} (default: @code{#t})
Whether to check for updates of the files corresponding to
@var{database}.

For instance, when @var{database} is @code{hosts}, setting this flag
instructs nscd to check for updates in @file{/etc/hosts} and to take
them into account.

@item @code{persistent?} (default: @code{#t})
Whether the cache should be stored persistently on disk.

@item @code{shared?} (default: @code{#t})
Whether the cache should be shared among users.

@item @code{max-database-size} (default: 32@tie{}MiB)
Maximum size in bytes of the database cache.

@c XXX: 'suggested-size' and 'auto-propagate?' seem to be expert
@c settings, so leave them out.

@end table
@end deftp

@defvr {Scheme Variable} %nscd-default-caches
List of @code{<nscd-cache>} objects used by default by
@code{nscd-configuration} (see above.)

It enables persistent and aggressive caching of service and host name
lookups.  The latter provides better host name lookup performance,
resilience in the face of unreliable name servers, and also better
privacy---often the result of host name lookups is in local cache, so
external name servers do not even need to be queried.
@end defvr


@deffn {Scheme Procedure} syslog-service [#:config-file #f]
Return a service that runs @code{syslogd}.  If configuration file name
@var{config-file} is not specified, use some reasonable default
settings.
@end deffn

@anchor{guix-configuration-type}
@deftp {Data Type} guix-configuration
This data type represents the configuration of the Guix build daemon.
@xref{Invoking guix-daemon}, for more information.

@table @asis
@item @code{guix} (default: @var{guix})
The Guix package to use.

@item @code{build-group} (default: @code{"guixbuild"})
Name of the group for build user accounts.

@item @code{build-accounts} (default: @code{10})
Number of build user accounts to create.

@item @code{authorize-key?} (default: @code{#t})
Whether to authorize the substitute key for @code{hydra.gnu.org}
(@pxref{Substitutes}).

@item @code{use-substitutes?} (default: @code{#t})
Whether to use substitutes.

@item @code{extra-options} (default: @code{'()})
List of extra command-line options for @command{guix-daemon}.

@item @code{lsof} (default: @var{lsof})
@itemx @code{lsh} (default: @var{lsh})
The lsof and lsh packages to use.

@end table
@end deftp

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} guix-service @var{config}
Return a service that runs the Guix build daemon according to
@var{config}.
@end deffn

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} udev-service [#:udev udev]
Run @var{udev}, which populates the @file{/dev} directory dynamically.
@end deffn

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} console-keymap-service @var{file}
Return a service to load console keymap from @var{file} using
@command{loadkeys} command.
@end deffn


@node Networking Services
@subsubsection Networking Services

The @code{(gnu services networking)} module provides services to configure
the network interface.

@cindex DHCP, networking service
@deffn {Scheme Procedure} dhcp-client-service [#:dhcp @var{isc-dhcp}]
Return a service that runs @var{dhcp}, a Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP) client, on all the non-loopback network interfaces.
@end deffn

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} static-networking-service @var{interface} @var{ip} @
       [#:gateway #f] [#:name-services @code{'()}]
Return a service that starts @var{interface} with address @var{ip}.  If
@var{gateway} is true, it must be a string specifying the default network
gateway.
@end deffn

@cindex wicd
@deffn {Scheme Procedure} wicd-service [#:wicd @var{wicd}]
Return a service that runs @url{https://launchpad.net/wicd,Wicd}, a
network manager that aims to simplify wired and wireless networking.
@end deffn

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} ntp-service [#:ntp @var{ntp}] @
  [#:name-service @var{%ntp-servers}]
Return a service that runs the daemon from @var{ntp}, the
@uref{http://www.ntp.org, Network Time Protocol package}.  The daemon will
keep the system clock synchronized with that of @var{servers}.
@end deffn

@defvr {Scheme Variable} %ntp-servers
List of host names used as the default NTP servers.
@end defvr

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} tor-service [#:tor tor]
Return a service to run the @uref{https://torproject.org,Tor} daemon.

The daemon runs with the default settings (in particular the default exit
policy) as the @code{tor} unprivileged user.
@end deffn

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} bitlbee-service [#:bitlbee bitlbee] @
         [#:interface "127.0.0.1"] [#:port 6667] @
         [#:extra-settings ""]
Return a service that runs @url{http://bitlbee.org,BitlBee}, a daemon that
acts as a gateway between IRC and chat networks.

The daemon will listen to the interface corresponding to the IP address
specified in @var{interface}, on @var{port}.  @code{127.0.0.1} means that only
local clients can connect, whereas @code{0.0.0.0} means that connections can
come from any networking interface.

In addition, @var{extra-settings} specifies a string to append to the
configuration file.
@end deffn

Furthermore, @code{(gnu services ssh)} provides the following service.

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} lsh-service [#:host-key "/etc/lsh/host-key"] @
       [#:daemonic? #t] [#:interfaces '()] [#:port-number 22] @
       [#:allow-empty-passwords? #f] [#:root-login? #f] @
       [#:syslog-output? #t] [#:x11-forwarding? #t] @
       [#:tcp/ip-forwarding? #t] [#:password-authentication? #t] @
       [#:public-key-authentication? #t] [#:initialize? #t]
Run the @command{lshd} program from @var{lsh} to listen on port @var{port-number}.
@var{host-key} must designate a file containing the host key, and readable
only by root.

When @var{daemonic?} is true, @command{lshd} will detach from the
controlling terminal and log its output to syslogd, unless one sets
@var{syslog-output?} to false.  Obviously, it also makes lsh-service
depend on existence of syslogd service.  When @var{pid-file?} is true,
@command{lshd} writes its PID to the file called @var{pid-file}.

When @var{initialize?} is true, automatically create the seed and host key
upon service activation if they do not exist yet.  This may take long and
require interaction.

When @var{initialize?} is false, it is up to the user to initialize the
randomness generator (@pxref{lsh-make-seed,,, lsh, LSH Manual}), and to create
a key pair with the private key stored in file @var{host-key} (@pxref{lshd
basics,,, lsh, LSH Manual}).

When @var{interfaces} is empty, lshd listens for connections on all the
network interfaces; otherwise, @var{interfaces} must be a list of host names
or addresses.

@var{allow-empty-passwords?} specifies whether to accept log-ins with empty
passwords, and @var{root-login?} specifies whether to accept log-ins as
root.

The other options should be self-descriptive.
@end deffn

@defvr {Scheme Variable} %facebook-host-aliases
This variable contains a string for use in @file{/etc/hosts}
(@pxref{Host Names,,, libc, The GNU C Library Reference Manual}).  Each
line contains a entry that maps a known server name of the Facebook
on-line service---e.g., @code{www.facebook.com}---to the local
host---@code{127.0.0.1} or its IPv6 equivalent, @code{::1}.

This variable is typically used in the @code{hosts-file} field of an
@code{operating-system} declaration (@pxref{operating-system Reference,
@file{/etc/hosts}}):

@example
(use-modules (gnu) (guix))

(operating-system
  (host-name "mymachine")
  ;; ...
  (hosts-file
    ;; Create a /etc/hosts file with aliases for "localhost"
    ;; and "mymachine", as well as for Facebook servers.
    (plain-file "hosts"
                (string-append (local-host-aliases host-name)
                               %facebook-host-aliases))))
@end example

This mechanism can prevent programs running locally, such as Web
browsers, from accessing Facebook.
@end defvr

The @code{(gnu services avahi)} provides the following definition.

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} avahi-service [#:avahi @var{avahi}] @
          [#:host-name #f] [#:publish? #t] [#:ipv4? #t] @
          [#:ipv6? #t] [#:wide-area? #f] @
          [#:domains-to-browse '()]
Return a service that runs @command{avahi-daemon}, a system-wide
mDNS/DNS-SD responder that allows for service discovery and
"zero-configuration" host name lookups (see @uref{http://avahi.org/}), and
extends the name service cache daemon (nscd) so that it can resolve
@code{.local} host names using
@uref{http://0pointer.de/lennart/projects/nss-mdns/, nss-mdns}.

If @var{host-name} is different from @code{#f}, use that as the host name to
publish for this machine; otherwise, use the machine's actual host name.

When @var{publish?} is true, publishing of host names and services is allowed;
in particular, avahi-daemon will publish the machine's host name and IP
address via mDNS on the local network.

When @var{wide-area?} is true, DNS-SD over unicast DNS is enabled.

Boolean values @var{ipv4?} and @var{ipv6?} determine whether to use IPv4/IPv6
sockets.
@end deffn


@node X Window
@subsubsection X Window

Support for the X Window graphical display system---specifically
Xorg---is provided by the @code{(gnu services xorg)} module.  Note that
there is no @code{xorg-service} procedure.  Instead, the X server is
started by the @dfn{login manager}, currently SLiM.

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} slim-service [#:allow-empty-passwords? #f] @
  [#:auto-login? #f] [#:default-user ""] [#:startx] @
  [#:theme @var{%default-slim-theme}] @
  [#:theme-name @var{%default-slim-theme-name}]
Return a service that spawns the SLiM graphical login manager, which in
turn starts the X display server with @var{startx}, a command as returned by
@code{xorg-start-command}.

@cindex X session

SLiM automatically looks for session types described by the @file{.desktop}
files in @file{/run/current-system/profile/share/xsessions} and allows users
to choose a session from the log-in screen using @kbd{F1}.  Packages such as
@var{xfce}, @var{sawfish}, and @var{ratpoison} provide @file{.desktop} files;
adding them to the system-wide set of packages automatically makes them
available at the log-in screen.

In addition, @file{~/.xsession} files are honored.  When available,
@file{~/.xsession} must be an executable that starts a window manager
and/or other X clients.

When @var{allow-empty-passwords?} is true, allow logins with an empty
password.  When @var{auto-login?} is true, log in automatically as
@var{default-user}.

If @var{theme} is @code{#f}, the use the default log-in theme; otherwise
@var{theme} must be a gexp denoting the name of a directory containing the
theme to use.  In that case, @var{theme-name} specifies the name of the
theme.
@end deffn

@defvr {Scheme Variable} %default-theme
@defvrx {Scheme Variable} %default-theme-name
The G-Expression denoting the default SLiM theme and its name.
@end defvr

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} xorg-start-command [#:guile] @
  [#:configuration-file #f] [#:xorg-server @var{xorg-server}]
Return a derivation that builds a @var{guile} script to start the X server
from @var{xorg-server}.  @var{configuration-file} is the server configuration
file or a derivation that builds it; when omitted, the result of
@code{xorg-configuration-file} is used.

Usually the X server is started by a login manager.
@end deffn

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} xorg-configuration-file @
  [#:drivers '()] [#:resolutions '()] [#:extra-config '()]
Return a configuration file for the Xorg server containing search paths for
all the common drivers.

@var{drivers} must be either the empty list, in which case Xorg chooses a
graphics driver automatically, or a list of driver names that will be tried in
this order---e.g., @code{(\"modesetting\" \"vesa\")}.

Likewise, when @var{resolutions} is the empty list, Xorg chooses an
appropriate screen resolution; otherwise, it must be a list of
resolutions---e.g., @code{((1024 768) (640 480))}.

Last, @var{extra-config} is a list of strings or objects appended to the
@code{text-file*} argument list.  It is used to pass extra text to be added
verbatim to the configuration file.
@end deffn

@node Desktop Services
@subsubsection Desktop Services

The @code{(gnu services desktop)} module provides services that are
usually useful in the context of a ``desktop'' setup---that is, on a
machine running a graphical display server, possibly with graphical user
interfaces, etc.

To simplify things, the module defines a variable containing the set of
services that users typically expect on a machine with a graphical
environment and networking:

@defvr {Scheme Variable} %desktop-services
This is a list of services that builds upon @var{%base-services} and
adds or adjust services for a typical ``desktop'' setup.

In particular, it adds a graphical login manager (@pxref{X Window,
@code{slim-service}}), a network management tool (@pxref{Networking
Services, @code{wicd-service}}), energy and color management services,
the @code{elogind} login and seat manager, the Polkit privilege service,
the GeoClue location service, an NTP client (@pxref{Networking
Services}), the Avahi daemon, and has the name service switch service
configured to be able to use @code{nss-mdns} (@pxref{Name Service
Switch, mDNS}).
@end defvr

The @var{%desktop-services} variable can be used as the @code{services}
field of an @code{operating-system} declaration (@pxref{operating-system
Reference, @code{services}}).

The actual service definitions provided by @code{(gnu services dbus)}
and @code{(gnu services desktop)} are described below.

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} dbus-service [#:dbus @var{dbus}] [#:services '()]
Return a service that runs the ``system bus'', using @var{dbus}, with
support for @var{services}.

@uref{http://dbus.freedesktop.org/, D-Bus} is an inter-process communication
facility.  Its system bus is used to allow system services to communicate
and be notified of system-wide events.

@var{services} must be a list of packages that provide an
@file{etc/dbus-1/system.d} directory containing additional D-Bus configuration
and policy files.  For example, to allow avahi-daemon to use the system bus,
@var{services} must be equal to @code{(list avahi)}.
@end deffn

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} elogind-service [#:config @var{config}]
Return a service that runs the @code{elogind} login and
seat management daemon.  @uref{https://github.com/andywingo/elogind,
Elogind} exposes a D-Bus interface that can be used to know which users
are logged in, know what kind of sessions they have open, suspend the
system, inhibit system suspend, reboot the system, and other tasks.

Elogind handles most system-level power events for a computer, for
example suspending the system when a lid is closed, or shutting it down
when the power button is pressed.

The @var{config} keyword argument specifies the configuration for
elogind, and should be the result of a @code{(elogind-configuration
(@var{parameter} @var{value})...)} invocation.  Available parameters and
their default values are:

@table @code
@item kill-user-processes?
@code{#f}
@item kill-only-users
@code{()}
@item kill-exclude-users
@code{("root")}
@item inhibit-delay-max-seconds
@code{5}
@item handle-power-key
@code{poweroff}
@item handle-suspend-key
@code{suspend}
@item handle-hibernate-key
@code{hibernate}
@item handle-lid-switch
@code{suspend}
@item handle-lid-switch-docked
@code{ignore}
@item power-key-ignore-inhibited?
@code{#f}
@item suspend-key-ignore-inhibited?
@code{#f}
@item hibernate-key-ignore-inhibited?
@code{#f}
@item lid-switch-ignore-inhibited?
@code{#t}
@item holdoff-timeout-seconds
@code{30}
@item idle-action
@code{ignore}
@item idle-action-seconds
@code{(* 30 60)}
@item runtime-directory-size-percent
@code{10}
@item runtime-directory-size
@code{#f}
@item remove-ipc?
@code{#t}
@item suspend-state
@code{("mem" "standby" "freeze")}
@item suspend-mode
@code{()}
@item hibernate-state
@code{("disk")}
@item hibernate-mode
@code{("platform" "shutdown")}
@item hybrid-sleep-state
@code{("disk")}
@item hybrid-sleep-mode
@code{("suspend" "platform" "shutdown")}
@end table
@end deffn

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} polkit-service @
                         [#:polkit @var{polkit}]
Return a service that runs the Polkit privilege manager.
@uref{http://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/polkit/, Polkit} allows
system administrators to grant access to privileged operations in a
structured way.  For example, polkit rules can allow a logged-in user
whose session is active to shut down the machine, if there are no other
users active.
@end deffn

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} upower-service [#:upower @var{upower}] @
                         [#:watts-up-pro? #f] @
                         [#:poll-batteries? #t] @
                         [#:ignore-lid? #f] @
                         [#:use-percentage-for-policy? #f] @
                         [#:percentage-low 10] @
                         [#:percentage-critical 3] @
                         [#:percentage-action 2] @
                         [#:time-low 1200] @
                         [#:time-critical 300] @
                         [#:time-action 120] @
                         [#:critical-power-action 'hybrid-sleep]
Return a service that runs @uref{http://upower.freedesktop.org/,
@command{upowerd}}, a system-wide monitor for power consumption and battery
levels, with the given configuration settings.  It implements the
@code{org.freedesktop.UPower} D-Bus interface, and is notably used by
GNOME.
@end deffn

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} colord-service [#:colord @var{colord}]
Return a service that runs @command{colord}, a system service with a D-Bus
interface to manage the color profiles of input and output devices such as
screens and scanners.  It is notably used by the GNOME Color Manager graphical
tool.  See @uref{http://www.freedesktop.org/software/colord/, the colord web
site} for more information.
@end deffn

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} geoclue-application name [#:allowed? #t] [#:system? #f] [#:users '()]
Return an configuration allowing an application to access GeoClue
location data.  @var{name} is the Desktop ID of the application, without
the @code{.desktop} part.  If @var{allowed?} is true, the application
will have access to location information by default.  The boolean
@var{system?}  value indicates that an application is a system component
or not.  Finally @var{users} is a list of UIDs of all users for which
this application is allowed location info access.  An empty users list
means that all users are allowed.
@end deffn

@defvr {Scheme Variable} %standard-geoclue-applications
The standard list of well-known GeoClue application configurations,
granting authority to GNOME's date-and-time utility to ask for the
current location in order to set the time zone, and allowing the Firefox
(IceCat) and Epiphany web browsers to request location information.
Firefox and Epiphany both query the user before allowing a web page to
know the user's location.
@end defvr

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} geoclue-service [#:colord @var{colord}] @
                         [#:whitelist '()] @
                         [#:wifi-geolocation-url "https://location.services.mozilla.com/v1/geolocate?key=geoclue"] @
                         [#:submit-data? #f]
                         [#:wifi-submission-url "https://location.services.mozilla.com/v1/submit?key=geoclue"] @
                         [#:submission-nick "geoclue"] @
                         [#:applications %standard-geoclue-applications]
Return a service that runs the GeoClue location service.  This service
provides a D-Bus interface to allow applications to request access to a
user's physical location, and optionally to add information to online
location databases.  See
@uref{https://wiki.freedesktop.org/www/Software/GeoClue/, the GeoClue
web site} for more information.
@end deffn

@node Database Services
@subsubsection Database Services

The @code{(gnu services databases)} module provides the following service.

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} postgresql-service [#:postgresql postgresql] @
       [#:config-file] [#:data-directory ``/var/lib/postgresql/data'']
Return a service that runs @var{postgresql}, the PostgreSQL database
server.

The PostgreSQL daemon loads its runtime configuration from
@var{config-file} and stores the database cluster in
@var{data-directory}.
@end deffn

@node Web Services
@subsubsection Web Services

The @code{(gnu services web)} module provides the following service:

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} nginx-service [#:nginx nginx] @
       [#:log-directory ``/var/log/nginx''] @
       [#:run-directory ``/var/run/nginx''] @
       [#:config-file]

Return a service that runs @var{nginx}, the nginx web server.

The nginx daemon loads its runtime configuration from @var{config-file}.
Log files are written to @var{log-directory} and temporary runtime data
files are written to @var{run-directory}.  For proper operation, these
arguments should match what is in @var{config-file} to ensure that the
directories are created when the service is activated.

@end deffn

@node Various Services
@subsubsection Various Services

The @code{(gnu services lirc)} module provides the following service.

@deffn {Scheme Procedure} lirc-service [#:lirc lirc] @
       [#:device #f] [#:driver #f] [#:config-file #f] @
       [#:extra-options '()]
Return a service that runs @url{http://www.lirc.org,LIRC}, a daemon that
decodes infrared signals from remote controls.

Optionally, @var{device}, @var{driver} and @var{config-file}
(configuration file name) may be specified.  See @command{lircd} manual
for details.

Finally, @var{extra-options} is a list of additional command-line options
passed to @command{lircd}.
@end deffn


@node Setuid Programs
@subsection Setuid Programs

@cindex setuid programs
Some programs need to run with ``root'' privileges, even when they are
launched by unprivileged users.  A notorious example is the
@command{passwd} program, which users can run to change their
password, and which needs to access the @file{/etc/passwd} and
@file{/etc/shadow} files---something normally restricted to root, for
obvious security reasons.  To address that, these executables are
@dfn{setuid-root}, meaning that they always run with root privileges
(@pxref{How Change Persona,,, libc, The GNU C Library Reference Manual},
for more info about the setuid mechanisms.)

The store itself @emph{cannot} contain setuid programs: that would be a
security issue since any user on the system can write derivations that
populate the store (@pxref{The Store}).  Thus, a different mechanism is
used: instead of changing the setuid bit directly on files that are in
the store, we let the system administrator @emph{declare} which programs
should be setuid root.

The @code{setuid-programs} field of an @code{operating-system}
declaration contains a list of G-expressions denoting the names of
programs to be setuid-root (@pxref{Using the Configuration System}).
For instance, the @command{passwd} program, which is part of the Shadow
package, can be designated by this G-expression (@pxref{G-Expressions}):

@example
#~(string-append #$shadow "/bin/passwd")
@end example

A default set of setuid programs is defined by the
@code{%setuid-programs} variable of the @code{(gnu system)} module.

@defvr {Scheme Variable} %setuid-programs
A list of G-expressions denoting common programs that are setuid-root.

The list includes commands such as @command{passwd}, @command{ping},
@command{su}, and @command{sudo}.
@end defvr

Under the hood, the actual setuid programs are created in the
@file{/run/setuid-programs} directory at system activation time.  The
files in this directory refer to the ``real'' binaries, which are in the
store.

@node X.509 Certificates
@subsection X.509 Certificates

@cindex HTTPS, certificates
@cindex X.509 certificates
@cindex TLS
Web servers available over HTTPS (that is, HTTP over the transport-layer
security mechanism, TLS) send client programs an @dfn{X.509 certificate}
that the client can then use to @emph{authenticate} the server.  To do
that, clients verify that the server's certificate is signed by a
so-called @dfn{certificate authority} (CA).  But to verify the CA's
signature, clients must have first acquired the CA's certificate.

Web browsers such as GNU@tie{}IceCat include their own set of CA
certificates, such that they are able to verify CA signatures
out-of-the-box.

However, most other programs that can talk HTTPS---@command{wget},
@command{git}, @command{w3m}, etc.---need to be told where CA
certificates can be found.

@cindex @code{nss-certs}
In GuixSD, this is done by adding a package that provides certificates
to the @code{packages} field of the @code{operating-system} declaration
(@pxref{operating-system Reference}).  GuixSD includes one such package,
@code{nss-certs}, which is a set of CA certificates provided as part of
Mozilla's Network Security Services.

Note that it is @emph{not} part of @var{%base-packages}, so you need to
explicitly add it.  The @file{/etc/ssl/certs} directory, which is where
most applications and libraries look for certificates by default, points
to the certificates installed globally.

Unprivileged users can also install their own certificate package in
their profile.  A number of environment variables need to be defined so
that applications and libraries know where to find them.  Namely, the
OpenSSL library honors the @code{SSL_CERT_DIR} and @code{SSL_CERT_FILE}
variables.  Some applications add their own environment variables; for
instance, the Git version control system honors the certificate bundle
pointed to by the @code{GIT_SSL_CAINFO} environment variable.


@node Name Service Switch
@subsection Name Service Switch

@cindex name service switch
@cindex NSS
The @code{(gnu system nss)} module provides bindings to the
configuration file of libc's @dfn{name service switch} or @dfn{NSS}
(@pxref{NSS Configuration File,,, libc, The GNU C Library Reference
Manual}).  In a nutshell, the NSS is a mechanism that allows libc to be
extended with new ``name'' lookup methods for system databases, which
includes host names, service names, user accounts, and more (@pxref{Name
Service Switch, System Databases and Name Service Switch,, libc, The GNU
C Library Reference Manual}).

The NSS configuration specifies, for each system database, which lookup
method is to be used, and how the various methods are chained
together---for instance, under which circumstances NSS should try the
next method in the list.  The NSS configuration is given in the
@code{name-service-switch} field of @code{operating-system} declarations
(@pxref{operating-system Reference, @code{name-service-switch}}).

@cindex nss-mdns
@cindex .local, host name lookup
As an example, the declaration below configures the NSS to use the
@uref{http://0pointer.de/lennart/projects/nss-mdns/, @code{nss-mdns}
back-end}, which supports host name lookups over multicast DNS (mDNS)
for host names ending in @code{.local}:

@example
(name-service-switch
   (hosts (list %files    ;first, check /etc/hosts

                ;; If the above did not succeed, try
                ;; with 'mdns_minimal'.
                (name-service
                  (name "mdns_minimal")

                  ;; 'mdns_minimal' is authoritative for
                  ;; '.local'.  When it returns "not found",
                  ;; no need to try the next methods.
                  (reaction (lookup-specification
                             (not-found => return))))

                ;; Then fall back to DNS.
                (name-service
                  (name "dns"))

                ;; Finally, try with the "full" 'mdns'.
                (name-service
                  (name "mdns")))))
@end example

Don't worry: the @code{%mdns-host-lookup-nss} variable (see below)
contains this configuration, so you won't have to type it if all you
want is to have @code{.local} host lookup working.

Note that, in this case, in addition to setting the
@code{name-service-switch} of the @code{operating-system} declaration,
you also need to use @code{avahi-service} (@pxref{Networking Services,
@code{avahi-service}}), or @var{%desktop-services}, which includes it
(@pxref{Desktop Services}).  Doing this makes @code{nss-mdns} accessible
to the name service cache daemon (@pxref{Base Services,
@code{nscd-service}}).

For convenience, the following variables provide typical NSS
configurations.

@defvr {Scheme Variable} %default-nss
This is the default name service switch configuration, a
@code{name-service-switch} object.
@end defvr

@defvr {Scheme Variable} %mdns-host-lookup-nss
This is the name service switch configuration with support for host name
lookup over multicast DNS (mDNS) for host names ending in @code{.local}.
@end defvr

The reference for name service switch configuration is given below.  It
is a direct mapping of the C library's configuration file format, so
please refer to the C library manual for more information (@pxref{NSS
Configuration File,,, libc, The GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
Compared to libc's NSS configuration file format, it has the advantage
not only of adding this warm parenthetic feel that we like, but also
static checks: you'll know about syntax errors and typos as soon as you
run @command{guix system}.

@deftp {Data Type} name-service-switch

This is the data type representation the configuration of libc's name
service switch (NSS).  Each field below represents one of the supported
system databases.

@table @code
@item aliases
@itemx ethers
@itemx group
@itemx gshadow
@itemx hosts
@itemx initgroups
@itemx netgroup
@itemx networks
@itemx password
@itemx public-key
@itemx rpc
@itemx services
@itemx shadow
The system databases handled by the NSS.  Each of these fields must be a
list of @code{<name-service>} objects (see below.)
@end table
@end deftp

@deftp {Data Type} name-service

This is the data type representing an actual name service and the
associated lookup action.

@table @code
@item name
A string denoting the name service (@pxref{Services in the NSS
configuration,,, libc, The GNU C Library Reference Manual}).

Note that name services listed here must be visible to nscd.  This is
achieved by passing the @code{#:name-services} argument to
@code{nscd-service} the list of packages providing the needed name
services (@pxref{Base Services, @code{nscd-service}}).

@item reaction
An action specified using the @code{lookup-specification} macro
(@pxref{Actions in the NSS configuration,,, libc, The GNU C Library
Reference Manual}).  For example:

@example
(lookup-specification (unavailable => continue)
                      (success => return))
@end example
@end table
@end deftp

@node Initial RAM Disk
@subsection Initial RAM Disk

@cindex initial RAM disk (initrd)
@cindex initrd (initial RAM disk)
For bootstrapping purposes, the Linux-Libre kernel is passed an
@dfn{initial RAM disk}, or @dfn{initrd}.  An initrd contains a temporary
root file system, as well as an initialization script.  The latter is
responsible for mounting the real root file system, and for loading any
kernel modules that may be needed to achieve that.

The @code{initrd} field of an @code{operating-system} declaration allows
you to specify which initrd you would like to use.  The @code{(gnu
system linux-initrd)} module provides two ways to build an initrd: the
high-level @code{base-initrd} procedure, and the low-level
@code{expression->initrd} procedure.

The @code{base-initrd} procedure is intended to cover most common uses.
For example, if you want to add a bunch of kernel modules to be loaded
at boot time, you can define the @code{initrd} field of the operating
system declaration like this:

@example
(initrd (lambda (file-systems . rest)
          ;; Create a standard initrd that has modules "foo.ko"
          ;; and "bar.ko", as well as their dependencies, in
          ;; addition to the modules available by default.
          (apply base-initrd file-systems
                 #:extra-modules '("foo" "bar")
                 rest)))
@end example

The @code{base-initrd} procedure also handles common use cases that
involves using the system as a QEMU guest, or as a ``live'' system whose
root file system is volatile.

@deffn {Monadic Procedure} base-initrd @var{file-systems} @
       [#:qemu-networking? #f] [#:virtio? #f] [#:volatile-root? #f] @
       [#:extra-modules '()] [#:mapped-devices '()]
Return a monadic derivation that builds a generic initrd.  @var{file-systems} is
a list of file-systems to be mounted by the initrd, possibly in addition to
the root file system specified on the kernel command line via @code{--root}.
@var{mapped-devices} is a list of device mappings to realize before
@var{file-systems} are mounted (@pxref{Mapped Devices}).

When @var{qemu-networking?} is true, set up networking with the standard QEMU
parameters.  When @var{virtio?} is true, load additional modules so the initrd can
be used as a QEMU guest with para-virtualized I/O drivers.

When @var{volatile-root?} is true, the root file system is writable but any changes
to it are lost.

The initrd is automatically populated with all the kernel modules necessary
for @var{file-systems} and for the given options.  However, additional kernel
modules can be listed in @var{extra-modules}.  They will be added to the initrd, and
loaded at boot time in the order in which they appear.
@end deffn

Needless to say, the initrds we produce and use embed a
statically-linked Guile, and the initialization program is a Guile
program.  That gives a lot of flexibility.  The
@code{expression->initrd} procedure builds such an initrd, given the
program to run in that initrd.

@deffn {Monadic Procedure} expression->initrd @var{exp} @
       [#:guile %guile-static-stripped] [#:name "guile-initrd"] @
       [#:modules '()]
Return a derivation that builds a Linux initrd (a gzipped cpio archive)
containing @var{guile} and that evaluates @var{exp}, a G-expression,
upon booting.  All the derivations referenced by @var{exp} are
automatically copied to the initrd.

@var{modules} is a list of Guile module names to be embedded in the
initrd.
@end deffn

@node GRUB Configuration
@subsection GRUB Configuration

@cindex GRUB
@cindex boot loader

The operating system uses GNU@tie{}GRUB as its boot loader
(@pxref{Overview, overview of GRUB,, grub, GNU GRUB Manual}).  It is
configured using @code{grub-configuration} declarations.  This data type
is exported by the @code{(gnu system grub)} module, and described below.

@deftp {Data Type} grub-configuration
The type of a GRUB configuration declaration.

@table @asis

@item @code{device}
This is a string denoting the boot device.  It must be a device name
understood by the @command{grub-install} command, such as
@code{/dev/sda} or @code{(hd0)} (@pxref{Invoking grub-install,,, grub,
GNU GRUB Manual}).

@item @code{menu-entries} (default: @code{()})
A possibly empty list of @code{menu-entry} objects (see below), denoting
entries to appear in the GRUB boot menu, in addition to the current
system entry and the entry pointing to previous system generations.

@item @code{default-entry} (default: @code{0})
The index of the default boot menu entry.  Index 0 is for the current
system's entry.

@item @code{timeout} (default: @code{5})
The number of seconds to wait for keyboard input before booting.  Set to
0 to boot immediately, and to -1 to wait indefinitely.

@item @code{theme} (default: @var{%default-theme})
The @code{grub-theme} object describing the theme to use.
@end table

@end deftp

Should you want to list additional boot menu entries @i{via} the
@code{menu-entries} field above, you will need to create them with the
@code{menu-entry} form:

@deftp {Data Type} menu-entry
The type of an entry in the GRUB boot menu.

@table @asis

@item @code{label}
The label to show in the menu---e.g., @code{"GNU"}.

@item @code{linux}
The Linux kernel to boot.

@item @code{linux-arguments} (default: @code{()})
The list of extra Linux kernel command-line arguments---e.g.,
@code{("console=ttyS0")}.

@item @code{initrd}
A G-Expression or string denoting the file name of the initial RAM disk
to use (@pxref{G-Expressions}).

@end table
@end deftp

@c FIXME: Write documentation once it's stable.
Themes are created using the @code{grub-theme} form, which is not
documented yet.

@defvr {Scheme Variable} %default-theme
This is the default GRUB theme used by the operating system, with a