System information

/var/spo o l /po stfi x/
/var/spo o l /repackag e/
/var/spo o l /rwho /
/var/spo o l /samba/
/var/spo o l /sq ui d /
/var/spo o l /sq ui rrel mai l /
/var/spo o l /up2d ate/
/var/spo o l /uucp/
/var/spo o l /uucppubl ic/
/var/spo o l /vbo x/
2.2. Special Red Hat Ent erprise Linux File Locat ions
Red Hat Enterprise Linux extends the FHS structure slightly to accommodate special files.
Most files pertaining to RPM are kept in the /var/l i b/rpm/ directory. For more information on RPM,
refer to man rpm.
The /var/cache/yum/ directory contains files used by the Packag e U p dat er, including RPM
header information for the system. This location may also be used to temporarily store RPMs
downloaded while updating the system. For more information about the Red Hat Network, refer to the
documentation online at https://rhn.redhat.com/.
Another location specific to Red Hat Enterprise Linux is the /etc/sysco nfi g / directory. This
directory stores a variety of configuration information. Many scripts that run at boot time use the files
in this directory.
2.3. The /proc Virt ual File Syst em
Unlike most file systems, /pro c contains neither text nor binary files. Instead, it houses virtual files; as
such, /pro c is normally referred to as a virtual file system. These virtual files are typically zero bytes
in size, even if they contain a large amount of information.
The /pro c file system is not used for storage. Its main purpose is to provide a file-based interface to
hardware, memory, running processes, and other system components. Real-time information can be
retrieved on many system components by viewing the corresponding /pro c file. Some of the files
within /pro c can also be manipulated (by both users and applications) to configure the kernel.
The following /pro c files are relevant in managing and monitoring system storage:
/p ro c/devices
Displays various character and block devices that are currently configured.
/p ro c/f ilesyst ems
Lists all file system types currently supported by the kernel.
/p ro c/md st at
Chapt er 2 . File Syst em St ruct ure and Maint enance
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