Skip to content

TechDirectArchive

Hands-on IT, Cloud, Security & DevOps Insights

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise With US
  • Contact
  • Reviews
  • Toggle search form
Home » Linux » Linux Directory Hierarchy
  • Screenshot
    An error occurred while attempting to start the selected VM Virtualization
  • ysvxdf
    Install and configure BigBlueButton on Ubuntu Linux Linux
  • TLS1.2
    Unable to install Azure AD Connect, TLS 1.2 is required: How to enable or disable TLS 1.2 on a Windows Server via the Registry and PowerShell AWS/Azure/OpenShift
  • HAProxy
    Deploying a load balancer from scratch and adding backend servers Linux
  • taskbar1
    Hide or Remove Search Button from Windows 11 Taskbar Windows
  • images copy
    HA-Proxy Configuration File: Copy Between Nodes on Proxmox VE Virtualization
  • veeam backup for Proxmox VE
    Backup and Restore Proxmox VE virtual machines with Veeam Backup
  • ansible vault
    Concept of Ansible on Windows using Cygwin Configuration Management Tool

Linux Directory Hierarchy

Posted on 28/05/201617/08/2023 Christian By Christian No Comments on Linux Directory Hierarchy
Filesystem structure

The Linux Directory Hierarchy is a fundamental organizational framework that underpins the entire Linux operating system. However, It serves as the backbone for file storage, management, and navigation, enabling users and system processes to efficiently locate and interact with files and directories. NonethelessThe Linux Directory Hierarchy encompasses a structured arrangement of directories, each serving a specific purpose, which collectively contributes to the seamless functioning of the OS.

Understanding the intricacies of the Linux Directory Hierarchy is crucial for both beginners and experienced users, as it dictates the pathways through which various system components communicate and operate. From the root directory onward, every level of the hierarchy plays a significant role in maintaining order and facilitating tasks such as software installation, system configuration, user management, and data storage.

Unveiling the Layers and Significance of Linux Directory Hierarchy

This introductory exploration into the Linux Directory Hierarchy will unravel its layers, functionalities, and significance. Moreover, it will also Empowering users to navigate and harness the potential of the Linux ecosystem effectively.

Here is the essential information you need to become familiar with while learning Linux.

/bin – Binaries.
/boot – Files required for booting.
/dev – Device files.
/etc – Etcctera. Furthermore, The name originates from the earliest Unixes and became the designated location for configuration files.
/home – Keep home directories here
/lib – Code libraries reside where programmers store them for easy access and utilization.
/media – Mount removable media on a contemporary directory for a more modern approach.
/mnt – Mount temporary file-systems at the specified location.
/opt – Optional add-on software is installed where applicable.
This is discrete from /usr/local/ for reasons I’ll get to later.
/run – Where runtime variable data is kept.
/sbin – Where super-binaries are stores.
These usually only work with root.
/usr – Another directory inherited from the Unixes of old, it stands for “user”.
Share this directory among hosts, and safely NFS mount it to multiple hosts. You can safely mount it as read-only.

Managing Dynamic System Data: Exploring the /var Directory in Linux


/var – Another directory inherited from the Unixes of old, it stands for “variable”. Store varying system data here.
However, Such things as spool and cache directories may be located here.
If a program needs to write to the local file-system and isn’t serving that data to someone directly,
it’ll go here.
/srv – Stands for “serve”. This directory is intended
for static files that are served out.
– /srv/http would be for static websites,
– /srv/ftp for an FTP server.

/opt stands for optional (as in optional add-on packages).
/bin stands for binary (contains executables used by the OS).
/lib stands for library (contains shared libraries used by filesystem and for booting, probably used by the executables in bin)
/proc stands for processes.
/root means root user.
/home holds the home sub-directories for any non-root users.
/dev stands for device (holds special and device files).
/tmp stands for temporary.
/srv stands for serve.
/mnt stands for mount point (mount a temporary filesystem here).
/include contains #include files, i.e. header files (e.g., stdio.h).
/var stands for variable
/etc stands for etcetera

For more data on the layout of Linux file-systems, look at the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (now at version 2.3, with the beta 3.0 version deployed on most recent distros). It does explain some of where the names came from.

– http://serverfault.com/questions/24523/meaning-of-directories-on-unix-and-unix-like-systems

Rate this post

Thank you for reading this post. Kindly share it with others.

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor
Linux

Post navigation

Previous Post: Basic Cisco ASA troubleshooting Commands Guide
Next Post: How to enable or disable User Account Control

Related Posts

  • APACHECASS FEATURE
    How to Install and Configure Apache Cassandra on Linux Server Linux
  • S3 Bucket 1
    How to delete AWS S3 Bucket and Objects via  AWS CLI from Linux AWS/Azure/OpenShift
  • DNS FEATURE
    Domain Name System: All you need to know about DNS Linux
  • FLUTTER Feature
    How to Set Up Flutter with Android Studio on Linux Linux
  • openshift
    Set up OpenShift Cluster using Red Hat CodeReady Containers Linux
  • yarnfinalfeature
    How to Install and Uninstall Yarn on Ubuntu Linux Linux

More Related Articles

APACHECASS FEATURE How to Install and Configure Apache Cassandra on Linux Server Linux
S3 Bucket 1 How to delete AWS S3 Bucket and Objects via  AWS CLI from Linux AWS/Azure/OpenShift
DNS FEATURE Domain Name System: All you need to know about DNS Linux
FLUTTER Feature How to Set Up Flutter with Android Studio on Linux Linux
openshift Set up OpenShift Cluster using Red Hat CodeReady Containers Linux
yarnfinalfeature How to Install and Uninstall Yarn on Ubuntu Linux Linux

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Microsoft MVP

VEEAMLEGEND

vexpert-badge-stars-5

Virtual Background

GoogleNews

Categories

veeaam100

sysadmin top30a

  • Screenshot
    An error occurred while attempting to start the selected VM Virtualization
  • ysvxdf
    Install and configure BigBlueButton on Ubuntu Linux Linux
  • TLS1.2
    Unable to install Azure AD Connect, TLS 1.2 is required: How to enable or disable TLS 1.2 on a Windows Server via the Registry and PowerShell AWS/Azure/OpenShift
  • HAProxy
    Deploying a load balancer from scratch and adding backend servers Linux
  • taskbar1
    Hide or Remove Search Button from Windows 11 Taskbar Windows
  • images copy
    HA-Proxy Configuration File: Copy Between Nodes on Proxmox VE Virtualization
  • veeam backup for Proxmox VE
    Backup and Restore Proxmox VE virtual machines with Veeam Backup
  • ansible vault
    Concept of Ansible on Windows using Cygwin Configuration Management Tool

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,834 other subscribers
  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments
  • About
  • Authors
  • Write for us
  • Advertise with us
  • General Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Feedly
  • Telegram
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • mastodon

Tags

Active Directory AWS Azure Bitlocker Microsoft Windows PowerShell WDS Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows Server 2016

Copyright © 2025 TechDirectArchive

 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.