Why does a systemd service immediately timeout when "infinity" is set for TimeoutSec, TimeoutStartSec, or TimeoutStopSec?

Solution Verified - Updated -

Issue

  • When a systemd service is configured with a TimeoutSec=infinityvalue, it immediately times out and fails. If an inordinately large timeout is set, such as TimeoutSec=1y, the service doesn't timeout and starts properly.

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
  • systemd

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