lsof (LiSt Open Files) is to me undoubtedly the greatest UNIX/Linux command ever. Use it to easily see which files, directories, and sockets your running processes are holding open. e.g. Have you ever tried to umount a file system, only to find that some process was still using it?
[EMAIL PROTECTED]: ~# umount /mnt umount : /mnt : device is busy To hunt down what processes are still using /mnt try the lsof tool: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: ~# lsof /mnt COMMAND PID USER FD TYPE DEVICE SIZE MODE NAME bash 30951 sekidde cwd DIR 7,0 1024 2 /mnt Apparently sekidde is cd’d to /mnt (since his bash process has set it as its cwd). lsof will open files, directories, libraries, sockets and devices associated with a particular process. To show files associated with a PID use the – p switch [EMAIL PROTECTED]: ~# lsof -p 30563 To specify the process by name; use – c [EMAIL PROTECTED]: ~# lsof -c syslogd To specify devices on the command line. For example let’s see what the users on pts/0 is up to [EMAIL PROTECTED]: ~# lsof /dev/pts/0 If you need to specify multiple switches, they are ORed with each other by default. To require all switches (that is to AND them) include the - a flag on each switch you want to AND. e.g. To see all of the open files associated with vi process that sekidde is running, try this [EMAIL PROTECTED]: ~# lsof -u sekidde –ac vi If you’d like to examine open sockets and their associated process (like a netstat –p), try the – i switch [EMAIL PROTECTED]: ~ # lsof –i Note You must be root to run lsof for many functions, including retrieving open sockets information. lsof is a complex and very flexible tool, giving you as much (or as little) detail as you need about what files are in use by every running process in your system. The latest version of lsof can be downloaded at ftp://vic.cc.purdue.edu/pub/tools/unix/lsof/ __________________________________________________________________ McAfee VirusScan Online from the Netscape Network. Comprehensive protection for your entire computer. Get your free trial today! http://channels.netscape.com/ns/computing/mcafee/index.jsp?promo=393397 Get AOL Instant Messenger 5.1 free of charge. Download Now! http://aim.aol.com/aimnew/Aim/register.adp?promo=380455 --------------------------------------------- This service is hosted on the Infocom network http://www.infocom.co.ug
