what's the meaning of lofs?

[leyearn]

we know lofs is a type of filesystem that hpux soupported.
but
what's the meaning of lofs?

[Michael Tully]

LOFS=Loopback Filesystem.

See here:

http://www.docs.hp.com/cgi-bin/fsearch/framedisplay?top=/hpux/onlinedocs/B2355-90672/B2355-90672_top.html&con=/hpux/onlinedocs/B2355-90672/00/00/39-con.html&toc=/hpux/onlinedocs/B2355-90672/00/00/39-toc.html&searchterms=LOFS&queryid=20030120-195243

[S.K. Chan]

In addition you can do a man on mount_lofs for more information.
# man mount_lofs

[T G Manikandan]

LOFS is loopback file system.

The LOFS can be used to create a new virtual file system with a different alternate path.

For example a lofs can be created for / under /tmp/newroot so that the entire hierarchy can be used under /tmp/newroot.

This can be useful in hiding the / file system mounted as read only or as other options.

[Rajeev Shukla]

It means loopback file system.
Whcih means you can mount a directory or filesystem on the same machine with an alternate name.

Rajeev

[Ravi_8]

Hi,

LOFS -- Loopback file system

This is used to create a new virtual file system with a different alternate path.

[Stanimir]

LOFS - loopback FS, is typically used for changing old directory, when you found lack of place there, to new one.
For example:
1.Creating new directory, bigger than old:
#mkdir /aux/new_local

2.Move all files to this new directory:
#cd /old_local
#find . | cpio -dumplv /aux/new_local

3.Remove all files from old dir:
#rm -r /old_local/*
#mount -F lofs /aux/new_local /old_local

4.Adding in /etc/fstab, if needed:
/aux/new_local /oldlocal lofs rw,suid 00

Regards, Stan