NAME

mknod − build special file

SYNOPSIS

/etc/mknod name [ −n ] b │ c major minor
/etc/mknod name p

DESCRIPTION

The mknod command makes a directory entry and corresponding inode for a special file. 

The first argument is the name of the entry.  The UNIX System convention is to keep such files in the /dev directory. 

In the first case, the second argument is b if the special file is block-type (disks, tape) or c if it is character-type (other devices).  The last two arguments are numbers (see the −n option) specifying the major device type and the minor device (for example, unit, drive, or line number).  They may be either decimal or octal.  The assignment of major device numbers is specific to each system.  The information is contained in the system configuration file /etc/conf/cf.d/mdevice.  You must be the super-user to use this form of the command. 

The second case is the form of mknod that is used to create FIFO’s (a.k.a named pipes). 

OPTIONS

−n Use the name of the driver, for example, fd, kd, or tp0t, instead of the driver’s major number. 

WARNING

If mknod is used to create a device in a remote directory (Remote File ­Sharing), the major and minor device numbers are interpreted by the server. 

SEE ALSO

mknod(2). 

ADDED VALUE

This entry, supplied by SunSoft, Inc., contains enhancements to UNIX ­System V. 
 

\*U  —  Version 1.0