mknod

Purpose

Create a device file with specified major and minor numbers.

Syntax

mknod device_file {b|c} major minor

Options

None

Description

The mknod command creates a device file (such as the ones in the /dev directory) through which the operating system accesses physical devices, such as hard disk, serial port, keyboard, and mouse. To create a device file, you have to log in as root, and you have to know the major and minor numbers of the device for which you are creating the device file. In addition, you must specify either b or c to indicate whether the device is block oriented or character oriented. Typically, you perform this step following specific instructions in a HOWTO document.