How to Deallocate a Device

Deallocate a device by using the deallocate command followed by the device file name.

sar1% deallocate st0

Deallocation enables other users to allocate and use the device when you are finished.

Example—Deallocating a Printer

To deallocate a printer that is named chestnut, type the following command:

# deallocate /dev/lp/chestnut

Example—Forcing a Deallocation

Devices that a user has allocated are not automatically deallocated when the process terminates or when this user logs out. You most commonly need to use the following form of the deallocate command when a user forgets to deallocate a specific device. Then you force its deallocation, so that others users can allocate it.

# deallocate -F st0

Example—Deallocating All Devices

You can deallocate all devices only at system initialization time.

# deallocate -I