Scope of Device Configuration Support

The term device has a wider range of meaning in this operating system than in traditional operating systems. Traditionally, devices refers to hardware components such as disk drives, tape drives, printers, and keyboards. Pseudo-devices, such as the console, error special file, and null special file, are also included in this category.

However, in this operating system, all of these devices are referred to as kernel devices, which have device drivers and are known to the system by major and minor numbers.

Also, in this operating system, hardware components such as buses, adapters, and enclosures (including racks, drawers, and expansion boxes) are considered devices.