The /lost+found directory is used for storing files that the file system cannot identify when it cleans up the file system. If you lose some data unexpectedly, look for it in this directory.
/usr (Applications)
The /usrdirectory is meant for storing applications. The /usrdirectory typically includes the following subdirectories:
◆ lib/. This directory contains application-specific libraries.
◆ sbin/. This directory contains binaries that are not critical to system operation, but without which the system’s functionality would be greatly reduced. For example, some binaries available in this directory are crond,
lpd,edquota,makewhatis, and traceroute.
◆ bin/. Most application binaries reside in this directory.
◆ etc/. This directory contains configfiles for applications.
◆ tmp/. This directory is a temporary storage for your applications.
In addition,/usrhas directories that do not have systemwide counterparts. Some of these directories are listed here:
◆ X11 or X11R6/. This directory represents the X windowing application hierarchy.
◆ dict/. This directory contains a dictionary.
◆ doc/. This directory contains documentation for the applications in
/usr/bin.
◆ games/. This directory contains game programs.
◆ include/. This directory contains files for software development.
◆ info/. This directory is used by the infocommand. The infocommand can be used instead of man, for some applications.
◆ man/. This directory contains manpages.
◆ src/. This directory contains source code for applications. The Linux kernel is stored here.
The /usr/share directory contains the data that you can share across various applications. The /usrdirectory can contain various utilities, such as awk,emacs,
gettext,lyx, and vim. Additionally, the directory can contain the subdirectories listed here:
◆ afterstep/
◆ automake/
◆ games/
◆ icons/
◆ magic
◆ terminfo/
◆ zoneinfo
Some information and applications are specific to a single network of computers, however. For example, you need different applications to run the office and home versions of LAN. The /usr/localdirectory provides storage for this information.
The /usr/local directory generally is a complete file system. Therefore, the
/usr/local directory will probably include the bin, etc, games, include, info,
lib,man,sbin, and srcdirectories. Sometimes, shared and proprietary configura-tion files are located in the /usr/local/share directory. People also store appli-cations like a Web server under WWW, or a database under mysql.
Summary
In this chapter, you learned about various Linux distributions, such as Red Hat, MandrakeSoft, Caldera, Debian, Corel, and SuSE. Next, you learned about the different installation methods of Linux. You can install Linux via CD-ROM, NFS, hard disk drive, and FTP. You also can automate the installation process by using the Kickstart feature. Using Kickstart, you can automate tasks such as lan-guage, keyboard, time zone, package, and mouse selection.
Next, you looked at the file system and drive partitioning in Linux. You learned about fdisk and cfdisktools, which are used to manage partitions in your sys-tem. I discussed in detail two popular boot loaders: LILO and GRUB. LILO is the most commonly used boot loader for Linux. LILO can boot various kernels.
It stores the kernel-related information in a plain text file. You can use LILO to boot MS DOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and so on. GRUB is a boot loader that can load a wide variety of free operating systems and proprietary operating systems with chain loading. GRUB is designed to address the complexity of starting a personal computer.
Finally, you explored the file system of Linux. The /is the root directory of the file system. The root directory contains several standard directories. These stan-dard directories, and the content of each directory, were considered in detail.
Check Your Understanding
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The Red Hat installation program uses the __________ file to deter-mine the packages that are available in the /RedHat/RPMSdirectory for each category of package to be installed.
a. /RedHat/comps
b. /RedHat/comp
c. /RedHat/base/comps
d./RedHat/base/comp
2. The ______ and _______ packages form a part of the base system of Linux operating system.
a. libc b. termcap c. lib d.termpack
3. Select the three main sections of the configfile.
a. System info b. RedHat packages
c. Post-installation shell commands d. Pre-installation shell commands
4. The list of packages that can be installed is available in the __________ file.
a. /RedHat/base/comps
b. /RedHat/comps
c. /RedHat/base/packages
d./RedHat/packages
5. During Kickstart installation, which key combination will you use to view the system log console?
a. Alt+F1 b. Alt+F2 c. Alt+F3 d. Alt+F4
6. Which directory contains the manpages?
a. /etc b. /dev c. /bin d./usr
7. Which directory contains mountand umountutilities?
a. /etc b. /dev c. /bin d./usr
Answers
Multiple Choice Answers
1. The Red Hat installation program uses the /RedHat/base/compsfile to determine the packages that are available in the /RedHat/RPMS direc-tory—for each category of package to be installed.
2. The libcand termcappackages form a part of the base system of the Linux operating system.
3. The three main sections of the configfile are system info, RedHat packages, and post-installation shell commands.
4. The list of packages that can be installed is available in the
/RedHat/base/compsfile.
5. During Kickstart installation, the Alt+F4 key combination is used to view the system log console.
6. The /usrdirectory contains the manpages.
7. The /bindirectory contains mountand umountutilities.
Chapter 4
Linux
Administration
◆ Managing users and groups on a host and network.
◆ Installing, uninstalling, and upgrading software packages.
◆ Configuring services and applications on a server or network.
◆ Monitoring network performance.
◆ Troubleshooting of system and network problems, and disaster recovery.
In this chapter, you will learn about various commands and tools that are critical for the proper administration of a Linux computer. The Linux OS comes with a large number of tools for system administrators’ use. In this chapter, I discuss some of these tools to show you the various administrative tools available for con-figuring a server.