FreeBSD Handbook : Configuring the FreeBSD Kernel : The Configuration File : Pseudo-devices
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5.3.10. Pseudo-devices

Pseudo-device drivers are parts of the kernel that act like device drivers but do not correspond to any actual hardware in the machine. The network-related pseudo-devices are in that section, while the remainder are here.

pseudo-device gzip

gzip allows you to run FreeBSD programs that have been compressed with gzip. The programs in /stand are compressed so it is a good idea to have this option in your kernel.

pseudo-device log

log is used for logging of kernel error messages. Mandatory.

pseudo-device pty number

pty is a ``pseudo-terminal'' or simulated login port. It is used by incoming telnet and rlogin sessions, xterm, and some other applications such as emacs. The number indicates the number of ptys to create. If you need more than GENERIC default of 16 simultaneous xterm windows and/or remote logins, be sure to increase this number accordingly, up to a maximum of 64.

pseudo-device snp number

Snoop device. This pseudo-device allows one terminal session to watch another using the watch(8) command. Note that implementation of this capability has important security and privacy implications. The number after snp is the total number of simultaneous snoop sessions. Optional.

pseudo-device vn

Vnode driver. Allows a file to be treated as a device after being set up with the vnconfig(8) command. This driver can be useful for manipulating floppy disk images and using a file as a swap device (e.g. an MS Windows swap file). Optional.

pseudo-device ccd number

Concatenated disks. This pseudo-device allows you to concatenate multiple disk partitions into one large ``meta''-disk. The number after ccd is the total number of concatenated disks (not total number of disks that can be concatenated) that can be created. (See ccd(4) and ccdconfig(8) man pages for more details.) Optional.


FreeBSD Handbook : Configuring the FreeBSD Kernel : The Configuration File : Pseudo-devices
Previous: Sound cards
Next: Joystick, PC Speaker, Miscellaneous