devnm Command

Purpose

Names a device.

Syntax

devnm Path ...

Description

The devnm command reads the Path parameter, identifies the special file associated with the mounted file system where the Path parameter resides, and writes the special file name to standard output. Each Path parameter must be a full path name.

The most common use of the devnm command is by the /etc/rc command file to construct a mount table entry for the root device.

Examples

1. To identify the device on which a file resides, enter:

   devnm /diskette0/bob/textfile

   This displays the name of the special device file on which the /diskette0/bob/textfile file resides. If a diskette is mounted as the /diskette0 device, the devnm command displays:

   fd0 /diskette0/bob/textfile
   rfd0 /diskette0/bob/textfile

   This means the /diskette0/bob/textfile file resides on the /dev/fd0 diskette drive.
2. To identify the device on which a file system resides, enter:

   devnm /

   This displays the name of the device on which the root file system(/) resides. The following list is displayed on the screen:

   hd0 /

   This means that the root file system (/) resides on the /dev/hd0 device.

Files