NAME

mkdosfs − construct a DOS file system in a UNIX System environment

SYNTAX

/etc/mkdosfs device_name blocks [:rootdirs] [cluster_size] [−p]
/etc/mkdosfs device_name proto [cluster_size] [−p]

DESCRIPTION

The mkdosfs program constructs a DOS file system on a UNIX System by writing on the device_name. The device_name may be a block special device (diskette or fixed disk) or a UNIX System file.  The number of blocks specifies the number of (512 byte) sectors in the file system.  mkdosfs builds a file system with a root directory and includes the prototype files if proto is found on the command line. 

The optional arguments allow for customization of the file system to fit the needs of the user.  rootdirs specifies the number of root directory entries (the default is 128 on a fixed disk and follows DOS conventions on diskettes).  cluster_size specifies the number of (512 byte) sectors in a cluster (the default is 1 on a fixed disk and follows DOS conventions on diskettes). 

If −p is specified, the IBM PC-DOS algorithm for determining the size of a DOS FAT (File Allocation Table) entry will be used instead of the default MS-DOS algorithm.  This only applies to DOS file systems created on fixed disks.  VP/ix users should use the default (no −p) algorithm. 

If device_name is a UNIX System file, the DOS file system created in that file will be suitable for later use on fixed disks and RAM disks.  It will not work on a diskette. 

When using mkdosfs on a diskette, the diskette must already be ­formatted. 

The following examples create DOS file systems on diskettes that will be compatible with MS-DOS and PC-DOS systems:

360K: mkdosfs /dev/dsk/f0d9dt 720

1.2MB: mkdosfs /dev/dsk/f0q15dt 2400

1.44MB: mkdosfs /dev/dsk/f0q18dt 2880

SEE ALSO

mkfs(1M). 

ADDED VALUE

This entry, supplied by SunSoft, Inc., is an extension of UNIX System V. 

\*U  —  Version 1.0