6.6. Creating devices (Makedev-1.3)

6.6.1. Creating devices

Note: the MAKEDEV-1.3.bz2 file you have unpacked is not an archive, so it won't create a directory for you to cd into.

Create the device files by running the following commands:

cp MAKEDEV-1.3 /dev/MAKEDEV &&
cd /dev &&
chmod 754 MAKEDEV

Now, depending on whether you are going to use devpts or not, you can run one of two commands:

If you do not intend to use devpts, run:

./MAKEDEV -v generic

If you do intend to use devpts, then run:

./MAKEDEV -v generic-nopty

Note that if you aren't sure, it's best to use the ./MAKEDEV -v generic command as this will ensure you have the devices you need. If you are sure you are going to use devpts however, the other command makes sure that you don't create a set of devices which you don't require.

MAKEDEV will create hda[1-20] to hdh[1-20] and such but keep in mind that you may not be able to use all of those devices due to kernel limitations regarding the max. number of partitions.

6.6.2. Command explanations

./MAKEDEV -v generic: This creates generic devices. Normally, these devices are all the devices you need. It's possible that you are missing some special devices that are needed for your hardware configuration. Create them with ./MAKEDEV -v <device>. The generic-nopty option does a similar job but skips some devices which are not needed if you are using devpts.

6.6.3. Contents

The MAKEDEV package contains the MAKEDEV script.

6.6.4. Description

MAKEDEV is a script that can help in creating the necessary static device files that usually reside in the /dev directory.

6.6.5. Dependencies

MAKEDEV-1.3 needs the following to be installed:

sh from the bash package

chmod from the fileutils package
chown from the fileutils package
cp from the fileutils package
ln from the fileutils package
mknod from the fileutils package
mv from the fileutils package
rm from the fileutils package

grep from the grep package

expr from the sh-utils package