System information

Sharing and maintaining SLES 10 SP2 Linux under z/VM 11
“The /lib directory contains kernel modules and those shared library images (the C
programming code library) needed to boot the system and run the commands in the root
file system, i.e. by binaries in /bin and /sbin. Libraries are readily identifiable through their
filename extension of *.so. Windows® equivalent to a shared library would be a DLL
(dynamically linked library) file. They are essential for basic system functionality. Kernel
modules (drivers) are in the subdirectory /lib/modules/'kernel-version'. To ensure proper
module compilation you should ensure that /lib/modules/'kernel-version'/kernel/build
points to /usr/src/'kernel-version' or ensure that the Makefile knows where the kernel
source itself are located.”
/lost+found
The LSB states that:
“Linux should always go through a proper shutdown. Sometimes your system might crash
or a power failure might take the machine down. Either way, at the next boot, a lengthy file
system check using fsck will be done. Fsck will go through the system and try to recover
any corrupt files that it finds. The result of this recovery operation will be placed in this
directory. The files recovered are not likely to be complete or make much sense but there
always is a chance that something worthwhile is recovered.”
/media
The LSB states that:
“Amid much controversy and consternation on the part of system and network
administrators a directory containing mount points for removable media has now been
created. Funnily enough, it has been named /media.”
/mnt
The LSB states that:
“This is a generic mount point under which you mount your file systems or devices.
Mounting is the process by which you make a file system available to the system. After
mounting your files will be accessible under the mount-point.”
The FHS v2.3 has changed the purpose of this directory:
“This directory is provided so that the system administrator may temporarily mount a file
system as needed. The content of this directory is a local issue and should not affect the
manner in which any program is run.
This directory must not be used by installation programs: a suitable temporary directory
not in use by the system must be used instead.”
For this paper, the root directory (/) will be read-only and /mnt/ is not a separate file
system. Therefore mount points under /mnt/ may only be created by file system design.
/opt
The LSB states that:
“This directory is reserved for all the software and add-on packages that are not part of the
default installation. To comply with the FHS, all third party applications should be installed
in this directory. Any package to be installed here must locate its static files (i.e. extra
fonts, clipart, database files) in a separate /opt/'package' or /opt/'provider' directory tree
(similar to the way in which Windows will install new software to its own directory tree
C:\Windows\Progam Files\"Program Name"), where 'package' is a name that describes
the software package and 'provider' is the provider's LANANA registered name.”