Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (Lesson Plan)

• Definition
• Objective
• Elements (and Schedule)
• Errors (and their correction)
  • Application configuration cannot be in /etc.
  • X11 files should be under /[etc usr]/X11.
• Equipment
• Instructor Actions
• Student Actions
• Completion Standards
• Bibliogaphy

Definition

The Filesystem Hierarchy Standard "consists of a set of requirements and guidelines for file and directory placement under UNIX-like operating systems."

Objective

To predict the location of installed files and directories, and to place new files and directories where software expects.

Elements (simple-to-complex) (28 min)

• Introduction (3 min)
  • enables software developers and users to predict pathnames
  • specifies file and directory names
  • provides rationale
  • specifies requirements
  • specifies options
• Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (20 min)
  • Basics
    • shareable/unshareable, static/variable (3 min)
      • /usr
      • /opt
      • /etc
      • /boot
      • /var
    • Requirements vs Specific Options (3 min)
      • Requirements must be present with the specified name.
      • Specific Options may be present with the specified name or totally absent, but may not be misnamed
  • Root Filesystem (1 min)
    • boot
    • recovery and repair
    • restore
  • /usr (2 min)
    • raison d'etre
    • shareable
    • static
    • Specific Options
  • /opt/<package> or /opt/<provider> (3 min)
    • Differences
  • /usr/local (2 min)
    • Host-specific
  • /usr/share (3 min)
    • Architecture-independent
  • Extras (3 min)
    • /proc
    • /var/lock
    • /var/spool
• Usage (5 min)
  • Consult each time
  • Start at Table of Contents
  • Check details
• Summary (5 min)
  • Consult every time
  • Requirements vs Specific Options
  • static/variable/shareable/unshareable

Equipment

• Prelecture Handouts
  • Filesystem Hierarchy Standard v2.3
• media (1 of the following)
  • laptop
    • web server
    • vga projector
    • vga connector with correct ends
  • transparencies
    • masters
    • transparencies
    • pointer
    • markers and blanks
    • transparency projector
  • handouts
    • masters
    • copies
    • whiteboard
    • markers

Errors

Application configuration cannot be in /etc.

X11 files should be under /[etc usr]/X11.

Instructor Actions

Before

• Reread FHS-2.3.
• Recognize changes from FHS-2.2.

During

• Propose questions that students can ask to determine where paths should appear.
• Flip to online FHS copy as necessary.
• Ask students for examples.

Post

Student Actions

Prerequisite

• If feasible, student should plan to bring a FHS-compliant system.
• Student needs acquaintance with posix and familiarity with posix pathnames.

During

• If feasible, skim appropriate FHS sections.
• Examine current system if available.

Post

• Read full FHS.
• Locate and correct non-compliance in owned systems.

Completion Standards

• (Rote) Student knows FHS is Filesystem Hierarchy Standard.
• (Application) Student can find
  • boot files in /boot
  • config files in /etc
  • package files in /opt/<package>
  • variable files in /var
• (Understanding) Student recognizes
• shareable vs unshareable
• static vs variable
• non-OS - /opt/package-or-provider
• architecture-independent - /usr/share