fuser

PURPOSE

     Identifies processes using a file or file structure.

DESCRIPTION

     The fuser command lists, for local processes, the process
     numbers  of the  processes using  the specified  local or
     remote file.  For remote  processes that use local files,
     fuser lists the  node (NID) that has the  files open.  It
     does not list  the process numbers, user  names, or usage
     information.   For block  special devices,  all processes
     using any  file on that  device are listed.   The process
     number is followed by a letter indicating how the process
     is using the file:

     c  Using file as the current directory
     p  Using  file as  the  parent of  the current  directory
        (only when in use by the system)
     r  Using file as the root directory.

     The  process numbers  are  written as  a  single line  to
     standard  output, separated  by spaces  and ended  with a
     single new-line  character.  All other output  is written
     to standard error.

FLAGS

     -k Sends the SIGKILL signal  to each local process.  Only
        the person operating with superuser authority can kill
        another user's  process (see "kill").  SIGKILL  is not
        sent to remote processes.
     -u Indicates  the login  name  in  parentheses after  the
        process  number.  The  login  name is  not listed  for
        remote processes.
     -  Cancels  any flags  selected for  the previous  set of
        file or files.

     Flags may be  respecified between groups of  files on the
     command line.  The new set of flags replaces the old set.

EXAMPLES

     1.  To list  the ID  numbers of  the processes  using the
         /etc/passwd file:

           fuser  /etc/passwd

     2.  To list the  process IDs and user names  of the proc-
         esses using the /etc/filesystems file:

           fuser  -u  /etc/filesystems

     3.  To  stop all  of  the processes  using  a given  disk
         drive:

           fuser  -k  -u  /dev/hd1

         This lists  the process  ID and  user name,  and then
         stops each process that  is using the "/dev/hd1" disk
         drive.   You must  have superuser  authority to  stop
         processes  that belong  to someone  else.  You  might
         want  to  do  this  if  you  are  trying  to  unmount
         "/dev/hd1", and a process  accessing it is preventing
         you from doing so.
     4.  To perform  the actions  of the previous  examples in
         reverse order:

           fuser  -k  -u  /dev/hd1  -  -u  /etc/filesystems  -  /etc/passwd

         Note  that lone  dashes  before the  "-u" and  before
         "/etc/passwd" turn off both the "-k" and "-u" flags.

FILES

     /unix        System kernel image.
     /dev/kmem    For system image.
     /dev/mem     Also for system image.

RELATED INFORMATION

     The following commands:  "killall,"  "mount," and "ps."

     The kill and signal system  calls in AIX Operating System
     Technical Reference.

     "Using Distributed  Services" in  Managing the  AIX Oper-
     ating System.