Device File System (devfs)

This feature is new in the Software Express pilot program. This feature is included in the Solaris 10 3/05 release.

The devfs file system manages devices in the Software Express releases. Users continue to access all devices through entries in the /dev directory. These entries are symbolic links to entries in the /devices directory. The content of the /devices directory is now controlled by the devfs file system. The entries in the /devices directory dynamically represent the current state of accessible devices on the system. These entries require no administration.

The devfs file system provides the following enhancements:

• Operations in the /devices directory result in attaching device entries. Unused device entries are detached.

• System boot performance is increased because only device entries that are needed to boot the system are attached. New device entries are added as the devices are accessed.

For more information, see the devfs(7FS) man page.