LOFI(4D) Devices LOFI(4D)

NAME

lofi - Loopback file driver

DESCRIPTION

The lofi file driver exports a file as a block device, enabling system
utilities such as fstyp(8), fsck(8) and mount(8) to operate on underlying
file system images (including CD-ROM and FAT floppy images) contained on
the block device. Reads and writes to the block device are translated to
reads and writes on the exported file. See lofiadm(8) for examples.


File block device entries are contained in /dev/lofi. The /dev/rlofi file
contains the character (or raw) device entries. Entries are in the form
of decimal numbers and are assigned through lofiadm(8). When created,
these device entries are owned by root, in group sys and have permissions
of 0600. Ownership, group, and permission settings can be altered,
however there may be ramifications. See lofiadm(8) for more information.


lofi devices can be compressed. See lofiadm(8) for more information.


Files exported through lofi can also be encrypted. See lofiadm(8) for
details on how to specify encryption keys.

FILES

/dev/lofictl

Master control device


/dev/lofi/n

Block device for file n


/dev/rlofi/n

Character device for file n


/kernel/drv/lofi

32-bit driver


/kernel/drv/sparcv9/lofi

64-bit driver (SPARC)


/kernel/drv/amd64/lofi

64-bit driver (x86)


/kernel/drv/lofi.conf

Driver configuration file. (Do not alter).

ATTRIBUTES

See attributes(7) for a description of the following attributes:


+--------------------+-----------------+
| ATTRIBUTE TYPE | ATTRIBUTE VALUE |
+--------------------+-----------------+
|Architecture | SPARC, x86 |
+--------------------+-----------------+
|Interface Stability | Committed |
+--------------------+-----------------+

SEE ALSO

lofs(4FS), attributes(7), fsck(8), fstyp(8), lofiadm(8), mount(8),
newfs(8)

NOTES

Just as you would not directly access a disk device that has mounted file
systems, you should not access a file associated with a block device
except through the lofi file driver.


For compatibility purposes, a raw device is also exported with the block
device. (For example, newfs(8)).

November 25, 2008 LOFI(4D)