Filesystem Basics

Question 1

What kind of filesystems are supported by Linux?

Answer 1

• Conventional disk filesystems, like ext3, NTFS, vfat
• Flash storage filesystems, like ubifs, jffs2
• Database filesystems
• special purpose filesystems, like sysfs, tmpfs, debugfs

Question 2

What is a partition?

Answer 2

• dedicated subsection of physical storage media
• “fixed area” to be treated as a whole

Question 3

What is a filesystem?

Answer 3

• method of storing and accessing files
• can span more than one partition if a symbolic link is used

Question 3

What is the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS)

Answer 3

• standard layout that says how important files are to be stored by linux systems
• maintained by Linux Foundation

Question 4

Where can one find more information about the FHS?

Answer 4

https://refspecs.linuxfoundation.org/FHS_3.0/fhs-3.0.pdf

Question 5

How are multiple drives and partitions mounted?

Answer 5

• as directories in a single filesystem

Question 6

Where are removable media like usb drives shown in the filesystem?

Answer 6

Mounted at
/run/media/yourusername/disklabel
for recent distros

/media for older distros

Question 7

What folders are part of the FHS?

Answer 7

/bin/
/boot/
/dev/
/etc/
/home/
/lib/
/media/
/mnt/
/opt/
/sbin/
/srv/
/tmp/
/usr/
/var/
/root/
/proc/

Question 8

What is the following directory used for?
/bin/

Answer 8

Essential user command binaries

Question 9

What is the following directory used for?
/boot/

Answer 9

Static files of the boot loader

Question 10

What is the following directory used for?
/dev/

Answer 10

device files

Question 11

What is the following directory used for?
/etc/

Answer 11

Host-specific system configuration

Question 12

What is the following directory used for?
/home/

Answer 12

User home directories

Question 13

What is the following directory used for?
/lib/

Answer 13

Essential shared libraries and kernel modules

Question 14

What is the following directory used for?
/media/

Answer 14

Mount point for removable media

Question 15

What is the following directory used for?
/mnt/

Answer 15

mount point for a temporarily mounted filesystem

Question 16

What is the following directory used for?
/opt/

Answer 16

Add-on application software packages

Question 17

What is the following directory used for?
/sbin/

Answer 17

system binaries

Question 18

What is the following directory used for?
/srv/

Answer 18

data for services provided by this system

Question 19

What is the following directory used for?
/tmp/

Answer 19

temporary files

Question 20

What is the following directory used for?
/usr/

Answer 20

(multi-)user utilities and applications

Question 21

What is the following directory used for?
/var/

Answer 21

variable files

Question 22

What is the following directory used for?
/root/

Answer 22

home directory for the root user

Question 23

What is the following directory used for?
/proc/

Answer 23

virtual filesystem documenting kernel and process status as text files

Question 24

Are Linux filesystems case-sensitive?

Answer 24

Yes /boot, /Boot and /BOOT are three different directories

Question 25

What difference is usually made between core processes needed for system operation and other programs?

Answer 25

- other programs are usually stored in /usr (like user)