Gentoo Forums
Gentoo Forums
Gentoo Forums
Quick Search: in
KC2: devfs
View unanswered posts
View posts from last 24 hours

 
Reply to topic    Gentoo Forums Forum Index Frequently Asked Questions
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
yokem55
Guru
Guru


Joined: 18 Apr 2002
Posts: 360
Location: Oregon

PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 2002 7:29 am    Post subject: KC2: devfs Reply with quote

Navigation: [prev KC1: Won't boot with new kernel] [next KC3: Networking] [Kernel Compilation] [Table of Contents]

Notice: as of kernel-2.6.13 devfs is no longer included in the kernel in favour of udev.

KC2. What is devfs? Do I really need it in my kernel? How do I enable it?

Devfs isn't a file system in the traditional sense of the term with regard to how data is structured inside a partion. Rather, devfs is a system that allows the kernel to automagically make relevent hardware device entries in your /dev/ directory when it initializes a driver that is either built into the kernel or when a module is loaded.

While Gentoo can be run without devfs, you will have to manually make new device entries in the /dev/ directory on your own with the mknod or mkdev commands, which introduces some extra (and usually needless) complexity.

To enable devfs in the kernel, start by bringing up the kernel configuration screen with "make menuconfig" in your /usr/src/linux directory. You may first have to enable experimental options support by going into the very first section "Code Maturity Level Options -->" and say yes to the option "Prompt for development and/or incomplete drivers". Then exiting out of that section, go into the "File Systems -->" section. Then scroll down with the down arrow key until you see the option for "/dev file system support (EXPERIMENTAL)". Select yes to this option and the sub-option that will come up beneath it "Mount automatically at boot." You can then exit out of this section and then either make any more changes you wish to your kernel, or simply exit out of the kernel configuration screen alltogether. You can now build your kernel as normal, and it will have proper devfs support.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
pjp
Administrator
Administrator


Joined: 16 Apr 2002
Posts: 20053

PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2003 2:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

From the old FAQ:

Do I really need to have devfs support in my kernel?

Technically, no. However, it's highly recommended. For more information, see the Installation Guide.

How do I enable devfs?

When recompiling your kernel, turn on 'Prompt for development and/or incomplete code/drivers' under 'Code maturity level options', and then look under 'File systems' for '/dev file system support'.
_________________
Quis separabit? Quo animo?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Gentoo Forums Forum Index Frequently Asked Questions All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum