MS-373
Advanced Unix
Lab 4

Date:    Thursday, January 5, 2006
Due:     Thursday, January 12, 2006

Unix/Linux File System

1. What is the purpose of umask?  Compare the octal arguments of umask to chmod.  Why don't they match up in purpose?  What are reasonable default values for umask on multi-user systems?  On single user systems?



2. What is the difference between hard links and soft links (or symbolic links)?  When is it appropriate to use one over the other?
  What do the authors mean when they say that the order of the arguments in the ln command parallel those of the cp command?


3. Read the man page for the file /etc/fstab.  On our Linux dual-boot systems there are entries for the Windows C: partition and the D: partition under /mnt/Windows-C and /mnt/Windows-D respectively.  However, when you log onto your Linux system as a normal user (i.e. not root) you cannot write to these partitions.  What modifications need to be made to /etc/fstab so that your normal user account can read and write to the Windows C: and D: partitions?
  List the complete fstab entries to allow everyone to read and write to the Windows partitions.


4. How many partitions are there on the Linux side of the disk on your system?  What are their names?  What improvements could be made to the arrangement of your Linux partitions (given that file usage in the /usr partition is most likely to grow)?



5. Write a shell script which uses the 'find' command to locate all the hard links on your Linux file system.