LINUX FILE SYSTEM STRUCTURE

Objectives  1. Understaing the Linux file sysem structure

                   2. Understanding the / Directory

                   3. Using file system commands

                   4. Lunux disk mangement

                   5. Working with Linux-supported file systems

CONCEPT  The Linux/Unix file system always begins with a directory called the root, the root directory is designated by a a slash (/).  The standards in which the directory tree in the Linux system should be organixed are set by File systems Hierachy Standard (FHS).  These standards make it easier to write or port software for Linux and to administer Linux machines, since everything is in an organized manner.

File System Structure

Whenever you work in the Linux/Unix system, you are working within a directory.  One of the most important aspects of the system administration is to understand the organization or layout, of the Linuz file system.  Proper functioning of system operations is critical if the administrator, programmers, users, or installed software, knows how and where the files are stored on the system.  Linux follow the standards outlined in File system Hierarchy sStandard (FHS) that specifies locations for specific types of data.   For the complete standard, refe to http://www.patname.com/fhs.

FHS provides specific requirements to organize files in the directory structure.  This way of organizing files is based on the type of information cotained in the files. There are two categories of files : shareable or unshareable, and variable or static.  The files that can be accessed by other hosts are known as shareable files whereas the files that can be accessed only by the local system are know as unshareable files.  Static files include binaries, libraries files that do not change without system administrator intervention while variable file are files that are not static and can be changed at any time.  Program documentation and binary files are examples of static files.  Figure 1 shows the organization of the file system on a typical Linux sysytem.  Following the figure is an explanation o each directory and the types of files it may contain.

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The /Directory (The root file system)