[Linux-disciples] The loop device

[Adam Rosi-Kessel]

Stephen R Laniel wrote:
> I get the sense that the loop device is indispensible if one
> wants to mount something like a CD image (ISO). I'm not
> clear on what it is, though, and some googling doesn't
> really explain. Can someone point me to a good explanation
> of this device?
> Incidentally, the loop module is installed with the default
> Ubuntu kernel, but it's not modprobed by default. Is there
> any good reason why Ubuntu would be shipped this way?

Normally the loopback module is loaded when needed--e.g., when you 
mount a loopback device.

mount -o loop someimage.iso /mnt/target

I only have an 'intuitive' understanding of the loopback device, which 
is basically that it is used to simulate an external device that is 
really just provided by the kernel/software itself.

You need the loopback device in your /etc/network/interfaces for lots 
of things to work--I think if you want to be able to access services 
on localhost through TCP/IP that uses loopback.

That's kind of a vague guess, though.
-- 
Adam Rosi-Kessel
http://adam.rosi-kessel.org
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