OpenLinux File Structure

As we start into Caldera OpenLinux this week, it’s important to understand the directory structure of this evolving distribution. We’ll take a look today at the basic filesystem structure, with a more detailed view over the course of the remaining week.

OpenLinux adds some directories to the basic Linux structure not found in other distributions. Ostensibly, these are created to simplify and further organize the placement of key system binary files. They can, however, cause some confusion if you’re used to other layouts, such as those in Mandrake or RedHat. The following is the layout of the root directory in Caldera OpenLinux:

    NetWare/
    auto/
    bin/
    boot/
    bru/
    dev/
    etc/
    home/
    initrd/
    install@
    lib/
    lost+found/
    mnt/
    opt/
    proc/
    root/
    sbin/
    tmp/
    usr/
    var/
    vmlinuz

As you can see, there are considerable similarities between OpenLinux and other Linux systems. There are, however, some significant differences. With this directory layout in hand, we’ll look tomorrow at the directories not normally found in other distributions and the reasons for their inclusion in Caldera OpenLinux.