Sun Solaris mount ISO CD image with lofiadm
Q. How do I mount ISO CD image under Sun Solaris UNIX?
A. Just like linux loopback device solaris has lofi - loopback file driver. The lofi file driver exports a file as a block device. Reads and writes to the block device are translated to reads and writes on the underlying file. This is useful when the file
contains a file system image (such as ISO image). Exporting it as a block device
through the lofi file driver allows normal system utilities to operate on the image through the block device like mount and fsck. This is useful for accessing CD-ROM and FAT floppy images.
lofiadm is command you need to use mounting an existing CD-ROM image under Sun Solaris UNIX. This is useful when the file contains an image of some flesystem (such as a floppy or CD-ROM image), because the block device can then be used with the normal system utilities for mounting, checking or repairing filesystem
Task: Mounting an Existing CD-ROM Image
If your image name is cd.iso, you can type command:
# lofiadm -a /path/to/cd.iso
Output:
/dev/lofi/1
Please note that the file name argument on lofiadm must be fully qualified and the path must be absolute not relative (thanks to mike for tip).
/dev/lofi/1 is the device, use the same to mount iso image with mount command:
# mount -o ro -F hsfs /dev/lofi/1 /mnt
# cd /mnt
# ls -l
# df -k /mnt
Task: Unmount and detach the images
Use umount command to unmount image:
# umount /mnt
Now remove/free block device:
# lofiadm -d /dev/lofi/1
For more information read lofiadm and lofi man pages.
Updated for accuracy.
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Related Linux / UNIX FAQ:
- Howto mount an ISO image in AIX UNIX
- Howto: Create a boot floppy in Solaris UNIX
- Howto: Use mount USB Pen under Solaris UNIX
- Linux Kernel panic VFS Unable to mount root fs and solution
- Find Linux / UNIX Kernel Version
Discussion on This FAQ
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Tags: linux_loopback_device, lofiadm_command, mount_iso, solaris_unix, sun_solaris, unix_mount_iso_image ~ Last updated on: September 5, 2007
August 20th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
The file name argument on lofiadm must be fully qualified and the path must be absolute not relative.
This will not work:
lofiadm -a cd.isoThis will work:
lofiadm -a /tmp/cd.isoSeptember 5th, 2007 at 2:39 am
As per Mike said above, had same issue
September 5th, 2007 at 4:10 am
@mike / Michale,
The faq has been updated. Appreciate your feedback.