Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 08:02:16 -0800 From: Cy Schubert - ITSD Open Systems Group <cschuber@uumail.gov.bc.ca> To: Mike Smith <mike@smith.net.au> Cc: Cy Schubert - ITSD Open Systems Group <cschuber@uumail.gov.bc.ca>, gkshenaut@ucdavis.edu, stable@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: More problems with new slice code Message-ID: <199803161603.IAA19705@passer.osg.gov.bc.ca> In-Reply-To: Your message of "Sun, 15 Mar 1998 14:19:33 PST." <199803152219.OAA12091@dingo.cdrom.com>
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> > > > Actually, I've always wondered by MAKEDEV sits in /dev--of course,
> > > > there is now a considerable tradition for it, but doesn't it make
> > > > more sense to split it into a standard utility, "makedev", which
> > > > lives in /sbin, plus a standard-but-modifiable database which lives
> > > > in /etc called "devtab" and "devtab.local" or whatever?
> > >
> > > Makedev will (god willing) not be a standard part of the system in 3.0;
> > > device nodes will appear and disappear by magic.
> > >
> > > (I am, incidentally, not kidding.)
> >
> > Kind of like boot -r under Solaris... Right? Or will these device
> > nodes appear when a new kernel is built, like DEC UNIX?
>
> The nodes are completely dynamic; when a device is found (eg. at boot
> time, or when a PCCARD is inserted, or when a PCI LKM is loaded, or
> whenever) they appear, and when a device goes away (card removed, etc.)
> they disappear.
>
> > If this is done automatically without a SysAdmin being aware, e.g.
> > asking via an option, like Solaris, or installing a new kernel, like
> > DEC UNIX, won't this cause some confusion?
>
> I expect there to be a moderately loud acclimatisation period, yes. 8)
> However the tradeoff is that you will never have to explain to anyone
> what MAKEDEV is all about, or why there are devices listed in /dev/
> that don't exist on the system.
Forgive my ignorance, but is this implemented using a new devfs
filesystem?
Regards, Phone: (250)387-8437
Cy Schubert Fax: (250)387-5766
UNIX Support OV/VM: BCSC02(CSCHUBER)
ITSD BITNET: CSCHUBER@BCSC02.BITNET
Government of BC Internet: cschuber@uumail.gov.bc.ca
Cy.Schubert@gems8.gov.bc.ca
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