UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

HI there. I am studying System administration right now and am stuck on a question that I have failed to find the answer for in my book.

The question is: Do device files need to be in the /dev directory and to they need to follow a naming convention?

My answer (so far) is that since the kernel commnicated with device files, it needs to know where they are located, so I would imagine that yes they do need to be in the /dev directory. And as a rule of thumb there are conventions that need to be followed as "best practices" such as fd, lp etc, but I could make the name whatever I wanted.

I have tried to solve this myself by:
Reading the section in the book again (and again)
Searching other forums and resource sites
played around on my system to test it myself
i.e.
1. cd /home/temp
2. sudo mknod mydev c 136 2
3. echo "testing" > /home/temp/mydev
--> Nothing happens here which would seem to re-enforce my answer that device files do need to be in the /dev dir but ca nstill be named whatever I want

So, this is where I am confused. I have attempted to solve this myself, and don't simply want the answer and that's it, but some help, clarification, point in the right direction etc.

I'm just spinning my wheels so any support would be appreciated. I have emailled my prof as well, and am just waiting as well, so thought I would post the same thing here!

I do see that Rule # 6 in the forums says "no clasroom post" and yes, this is a classroom post, but as I am the only person taking this correspondence course, and as I do not simply want the answer (I am trying to get this one on my own), I thought this would be acceptable. Hope it's ok.

I guess if someone wrote a kernel to use a different location it would work. Let us know what the prof says.

Actually, the kernel do not care neither need to know where the device files are located. Devices files can reside elsewhere as Solaris demonstrates (they are under /device, not /dev).

On the other hand, userland applications need to locate the device files in a predefined and often standard location, one of the reason why Solaris creates symbolic links there.

Sure, so during kernel build thought correct?

Sorry, I don't understand your question.

No problem, I'm confused by this.

I'm not sure how a device would work when it's not located where everything expects it to be.