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mknod(C)


mknod -- build special files

Syntax

/etc/mknod name [ b | c ] major minor

/etc/mknod name p

/etc/mknod name s

/etc/mknod name m

Description

The mknod command makes a directory entry and corresponding inode for a special file. The first argument is the name of the entry. 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 specifying the major device type and the minor device (for example, unit, drive, or line number), which may be either decimal or octal. Minor numbers must be in the range 0 to 255.

The assignment of major device numbers is specific to each system. Major device numbers can be found in the system source file /etc/conf/cf.d/mdevice.

mknod can also be used to create named pipes with the p option, semaphores with the s option, and shared data (memory) with the m option.

Only the super user can use the first form of the syntax.

Limitations

mknod does not understand extended minor device numbers. It will impose an upper limit of 255 on the minor device number parameter.

See also

mknod(S)

Standards conformance

mknod is conformant with AT&T SVID Issue 2.
© 2003 Caldera International, Inc. All rights reserved.
SCO OpenServer Release 5.0.7 -- 11 February 2003