Table B-1 describes the principal Linux files. You can use it, for example, to help you locate configuration files quickly.
Table B-1. Principal Linux files
| File(s) | Description |
|---|
| /boot/grub/grub.conf | GRUB configuration file |
| /boot/module-info-* | Module information for the Linux kernel |
| /boot/System.map-* | Map of the Linux kernel |
| /boot/vmlinuz-* | Linux kernel |
| /etc/aliases | Mail aliases |
| /etc/at.deny | User IDs of users forbidden to use the at command |
| /etc/auto.master | Configuration file for the autofs daemon, which automatically mounts filesystems |
| /etc/auto.misc | Automounter map file |
| /etc/bashrc | Systemwide functions and aliases for the bash shell |
| /etc/cron.daily/* | Daily cron jobs |
| /etc/cron.hourly/* | Hourly cron jobs |
| /etc/cron.monthly/* | Monthly cron jobs |
| /etc/cron.weekly/* | Weekly cron jobs |
| /etc/crontab | System cron file |
| /etc/cups/* | Printer configuration files |
| /etc/default/useradd | Defaults for the useradd command |
| /etc/DIR_COLORS | Directory listing colors |
| /etc/exports | NFS exported directories |
| /etc/filesystems | Supported filesystem types |
| /etc/fstab | Filesystems mounted or available for mounting |
| /etc/group | System group definitions |
| /etc/host.conf | Resolver configuration file |
| /etc/hosts | Map of IP numbers to hostnames |
| /etc/hosts.allow | Hosts allowed to access Internet services |
| /etc/hosts.deny | Hosts forbidden to access Internet services |
| /etc/httpd/conf/* | Apache configuration files |
| /etc/httpd/httpd.conf | Main Apache configuration file |
| /etc/init.d/* | SysV initialization scripts |
| /etc/initlog.conf | Logging configuration file |
| /etc/inittab | Configuration for the init daemon, which controls executing processes |
| /etc/issue | Linux kernel and distribution version (local users) |
| /etc/issue/net | Linux kernel and distribution version (remote users) |
| /etc/ld.so.conf | Shared library configuration file |
| /etc/login.defs | Options for useradd and related commands |
| /etc/logrotate.conf | Log rotation configuration file |
| /etc/logrotate.d/* | Scripts to rotate logs |
| /etc/mail/* | Mail server configuration files |
| /etc/mailcap | metamail MIME information |
| /etc/man.config | man configuration file |
| /etc/mime.types | MIME types |
| /etc/mime-magic* | Magic numbers for MIME data |
| /etc/minicom.users | User IDs allowed to use minicom |
| /etc/modules.conf | Aliases and options for loadable kernel modules |
| /etc/motd | Message of the day |
| /etc/mtab | Mounted filesystems |
| /etc/nsswitch.conf | Resolver configuration file |
| /etc/openldap/* | Open LDAP configuration files |
| /etc/pam.d/* | PAM configuration files |
| /etc/paper.config | Paper sizes |
| /etc/passwd | User account information |
| /etc/ppp/* | PPP configuration |
| /etc/printcap | Printer options and capabilities |
| /etc/profile | Default environment for users of the bash shell |
| /etc/profile.d/* | Shell initialization |
| /etc/protocols | Protocol names and numbers |
| /etc/pwdb.conf | pwdb library configuration |
| /etc/rc | Scripts for system and process startup and shutdown |
| /etc/rc.local | Local startup script |
| /etc/rc.sysinit | System initialization file |
| /etc/rc?.d/* | Service start/stop scripts |
| /etc/rpc | RPC program number database |
| /etc/rpm/* | RPM database and configuration files |
| /etc/samba/* | Samba configuration files |
| /etc/securetty | Secure tty configuration |
| /etc/security/* | PAM configuration files |
| /etc/sensors.conf | libsensors configuration file |
| /etc/services | Standard service names and numbers |
| /etc/shadow | Secure user account information |
| /etc/skel | Skeleton files used to establish new user accounts |
| /etc/ssh/* | SSH configuration files |
| /etc/sysconfig/* | System configuration files |
| /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/* | Network adapter configuration files |
| /etc/sysctl.conf | sysctl configuration file |
| /etc/syslog.conf | System logging process configuration |
| /etc/termcap | Terminal capabilities and options |
| /etc/updatedb.conf | updatedb/locate configuration file |
| /etc/wvdial.conf | GNOME dialer configuration file |
| /etc/X11/applnk/* | X application shortcuts |
| /etc/X11/fs/config | X font server configuration |
| /etc/X11/gdm/* | GNOME display manager configuration |
| /etc/X11/prefdm | Display manager configuration file |
| /etc/X11/xdm/* | X display manager configuration file |
| /etc/X11/XF86Config | X configuration file |
| /etc/X11/xinit/Xclients | Default script for xinit |
| /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc | X session initialization file |
| /etc/X11/Xmodmap | Key mappings used by xdm and xinit |
| /etc/xinetd.conf | General xinetd configuration file |
| /etc/xinetd.d/* | xinetd configuration files for specific servers |
| /home/*/public_html | User web pages |
| /root/.bash_history | bash command history for system administrator |
| /root/.bash_logout | bash logout script for system administrator |
| /root/.bash_profile | bash initialization script for system administrator |
| /root/.bashrc | bash options for system administrator |
| /root/.Xresources | X resources for system administrator |
| /usr/share/config/* | Miscellaneous configuration files |
| /usr/share/fonts/* | Fonts |
| /usr/share/ssl/openssl.cnf | SSL certificate configuration |
| /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/app-defaults/* | X application defaults |
| /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/* | X fonts |
| /var/log/cron | Log of cron activity |
| /var/log/httpd/access_log | Log of web server access |
| /var/log/httpd/error_log | Log of web server errors |
| /var/log/boot.log | Boot messages |
| /var/log/cron | Cron log |
| /var/log/dmesg | Kernel message log |
| /var/log/lastlog | Last login log |
| /var/log/maillog | Mail transfer log |
| /var/log/messages | System log |
| /var/log/samba/* | Samba logs |
| /var/log/secure | System security log |
| /var/log/up2date | Up2date log |
| /var/www/cgi-bin | CGI scripts |
| /var/www/html/* | Web pages |
