HP Certified: HP-UX System Administration

In this chapter, you looked into the file system hierarchy of HP-UX. Now you know how different files and directories are arranged in the file system and which directories contain what types of files. Specifically, we studied the following concepts:

• Difference of static and dynamic parts of the file system. The static part contains those files and directories that don't change after installation of HP-UX. On the other hand, the dynamic part of the file system contains those files and directories that can change from time to time. The static directories are also called shared directories because these can be shared among many systems on a network.

• Arrangements of directories relative to root directories.

• Types of files contained in each directory.

• Directories that contain files related to HP-UX system administration.

• Directories where log files reside.

• Directories containing commands and other executable files.

• Place of installation of additional applications.

• Directory where the HP-UX kernel resides.

• Place of files and directories needed for system startup and shutdown.

In addition, you also use some commands to find particular types of files in HP-UX. You again used the man command and had an introduction to the sections of the manual pages.

I am of the strong opinion that if you understand the file system hierarchy well, half of the system administration task is done. This is the most important chapter in the first part of the book and you may need to have a look at it from time to time until you feel everything is at your fingertips.