Solaris Transition Guide

Default File Systems and Directories

The SunOS release 5.7 file system is hierarchical. Figure 9-1 graphically depicts SunOS release 5.7 default directories and file systems (indicated by dotted lines). Subdirectories shown are just a sample of what the directory or file system actually holds. Table 9-1 gives a brief description of each.

Figure 9-1 Solaris 7 Default File Systems and Directory Hierarchy

The Solaris 7 software contains a default set of file systems and directories, and uses a set of conventions to group similar types of files together. Table 9-1 lists the default file systems and directories with a brief description.

Table 9-1 Solaris 7 File Systems and Directories


File System or Directory	Type	Description
`/`	File system	The top of the hierarchical file tree. The root directory contains the directories and files critical for system operation, such as the kernel (`/kernel/unix`), the device drivers, and the programs used to boot the system. It also contains the mount point directories where local and remote file systems can be attached to the file tree.
`/etc`	Directory	Contains system files used in system administration.
`/usr`	File system	Contains architecture-dependent and -independent sharable files. Files such as man pages that can be used on all types of systems are in `/usr/share`.
`/home`	File system	The mount point for the users' home directories, which store users' work files. By default, `/home` is now an automounted file system.
`/var`	Directory	Contains system files and directories that are likely to change or grow over the life of the local system. These include system logs, `vi` and `ex` backup files, and `uucp` files.
`/opt`	File system	Mount point for optional third-party software. On some systems `/opt` may be a UFS file system on a local disk partition.
`/tmp`	File system	Temporary files, cleared each time the system is booted or `/tmp` is unmounted
`/vol`	File system	Contains directories for removable media, managed by `vold`(1M)
`/proc`	File system	Contains a list of active system processes, by number. Does not use any disk space.
`/sbin`	Directory	Essential executables used in the booting process and in manual system recovery