Why is the swapoff parameter different for Ubuntu and RHEL?

resetreset · 03-06-2012, 07:43 AM

In RHEL, to turn swap off, it's eg. "swapoff /dev/sda5"
But in Ubuntu, you need something called the "UUID". (btw, what IS that?).

I want to know why.

Thanks.

acid_kewpie · 03-06-2012, 08:12 AM

it's not, you can provide a /dev entry if you wish.

michaelk · 03-06-2012, 08:24 AM

What Chris said...

IMHO just the way the OS developers decided to do it. The advantage of using universally unique identifiers (UUID) or disk labels is that they are independent of drive/partition IDs. You cam move/add disks or partitions around without ever having the need to modify the fstab file. In a nutshell a UUID is a very large random number created when the filesystem is formatted.

A partition can still be identified by either by its ID, UUID or disk label.

resetreset · 03-07-2012, 12:08 AM

What exactly IS the function of the fstab file? Could you hold my hand a little?

resetreset · 03-07-2012, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelk

A partition can still be identified by either by its ID, UUID or disk label.

Oh and "ID" for a partition means......?

acid_kewpie · 03-07-2012, 02:04 AM

1,140 posts and you want us to tell you what the fstab file is??? Do you want us to tell you how to use google too?

It maps disk partitions to file system mount locations, as well as specifying lesser options about how to use those filessytems where applicable. Pretty simple.

ID there presumably just means the /dev/ entry.

michaelk · 03-07-2012, 06:04 AM

Quote:

ID there presumably just means the /dev/ entry.

Correct...

acid_kewpie · 03-07-2012, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelk

Correct...

I feel such a special bond with you right now...

michaelk · 03-07-2012, 06:44 AM

LOL...