OpenLinux Directory Structure

OpenLinux Directory Structure

Last week we began a look at the directory structure of Corel OpenLinux. This structure is interesting as an example of how directory stuctures can vary from distribution to distribution. It also provides an opportunity to talk about the standard directories in more depth, something many of you have requested.

Today, we’ll talk about three of the subdirectories in the root directory, with a pause to note and discuss in detail those that vary from the standard structure.

/netware. The first directory in our discussion clearly points up the focus of Corel OpenLinux - business. The /NetWare directory is an automount point for NetWare volumes and NDS trees. Obviously, this isn’t something found often in home use.

/auto. The /Auto directory serves as the automount point for such devices as CD-ROMs in Linux. This can be denoted in other Linux distributions my modifying the /etc/fstab directory, configuring a device as “auto.” OpenLinux, by using the /Auto directory, offers the additional advantage of clarity. There should be no doubt where devices will automatically mount - the /auto directory.

/bin. This is a standard directory for Linux distributions. It contains system and user tools, specifically compiled code and shell scripts. This is the repository for system-wide, user-available programs and scripts.

As noted, the first two of today’s three directories point out the business focus of Caldera OpenLinux. The /netware and /auto directories address the needs of business from both the software and clarity perspectives. Creating a NetWare specific directory simplifies the tasks of system administrators, while creating an /auto directory makes it quite simple to determine where removable media will be mounted.