Re: devfs again, (was RE: USB device allocation)

david parsons (o.r.c@p.e.l.l.p.o.r.t.l.a.n.d.o.r.u.s)
6 Oct 1999 11:49:54 -0700


In article <linux.kernel.199910061701.NAA22845@pincoya.inf.utfsm.cl>,
Horst von Brand <vonbrand@inf.utfsm.cl> wrote:
>"Jakma, Paul" <Paul.Jakma@compaq.com> said:
>
>[...]
>
>> - devfs does not implement policy.
>>
>> The actual device names are not decided by devfs, and neither are
>> permissions.
>>
>> Device names are decided by the driver registering them. [...]
>
>Names _are_ policy. So now I have to hack the kernel to rename the mouse?

That's what G-d invented symbolic links for.

The kernel exports policy no matter what; currently it exports
policy via major and minor numbers, which someone has to root
through source code and/or documentation to find and then link your
namespace to, and with devfs it exports policy via a bunch of names
that you can link your namespace to.

The _one_ difference between the two schemes is where permissions
and ownership are applied; with block and character devices, you
apply ownership and permissions to the link, and with symbolic links
you apply ownership and permissions to the file.

____
david parsons \bi/ and with the devfsd hack, you get your ownership
\/ persistance via the much-loved userspace bloat.

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