Unix/Linux Architecture:

The architecture of Unix/Linux can be divided into three (3) Levels of functionality, the
lowest level is the kernel, which schedules tasks, manages resources and controls security.
The next is Shell which acts as user interface, interpreting user commands and starting
applications. The highest level is Utilities, which provides utility functions.

What is Kernel?
Kernel is hart of Linux O.S
It manages resources of Linux OS.
Resources means All Hardware Devices and application programs .
Kernel acts as an interface(mediator) between the computer hardware devices and
various programs /applications/shell.
Kernel decides who will use this resource.
What is a Shell ?

Computer understand the language of 0s and 1s binary language.

Shell is program that translate from User Language Commands(English Language)
into 0s and 1s binary language.

Types of Shells:
1.BASH (Bourne-Shell)
2.CSH (C Shell)
3.KSH (Korn Shell)
The FHS (File Hierarchal Structure) of Linux

The Linux system contains thousand of files located within many directories. All
directories are organized in a tree-structure like manner.

The 'trunk' of the tree is the root directory.

The root directory is simply identified as a "/".

All other directories 'branch' off from the trunk.

The following lists the most common directories and their intended contents.

Description

Directory
/

Root Directory

/boot

The /boot/ directory contains static files required to boot the system, such as the Linux
kernel. These files are essential for the system to boot properly.

/home

where directories are contained for each user

/root

root's home directory

/bin

binary executable programs that all users need

/sbin

It contains System binaries. The /sbin/ directory stores executables used by the root
user.
/sbin contains binaries essential for booting, restoring, recovering, and/or repairing the
system
user specific files

/var

/etc
/srv

/log - log files containing system usage and errors

/spool - where spooled files are stored during print spooling process

/mail - where Email files are stored until retrieved by client Email
program

It contains all system and network configuration files

The /srv/ directory contains site-specific data served by your system running Red

/proc

Directory
/sys

/usr

Hat Enterprise Linux. This directory gives users the location of data files for a
particular service, such as FTP, WWW, or CVS. Data that only pertains to a specific
user should go in the /home/ directory.
The /proc/ directory contains special files that either extract information from or send
information to the kernel. Examples include system memory, cpu information, hardware
configuration etc.

Description
The /sys/ directory utilizes the new sysfs virtual file system specific to the 2.6 kernel.
With the increased support for hot plug hardware devices in the 2.6 kernel, the /sys/
directory contains information similarly held in /proc/, but displays a hierarchical view of
specific device information in regards to hot plug devices.
- pronounced 'user' and contains Linux commands and utilities
o
o

/bin - binary executable programs

/lib - program libraries, similar to Windows 'dll' files

/sbin - more executable programs and Linux utilities for administrative

purposes

/doc - documentation

/src - source code to programs

/dev
/tmp

device files that control drives, terminals and any equipment attached to the server
temporary work files

/lib

The /lib/ directory should contain only those libraries needed to execute the binaries in
/bin/ and /sbin/. These shared library images are
particularly important for booting the system
and executing commands within the root file system.

/media

The /media/ directory contains subdirectories used as mount points for removeable
media such as usb storage media, DVDs, CD-ROMs, and Zip disks.
The /mnt/ directory is reserved for temporarily mounted file systems, such as NFS file
system mounts.
The /opt/ directory provides storage for most application software packages.
When Linux system switched off ,with out shutdown properly . The recovery files stored
in /lost+found directory

/mnt
/opt
/lost + found