Identify unix files in use process

In fact, every directory would be listed in the output of this command. While I don't advocate tossing users off systems without due courtesy, I have often found that users who are keeping a file system busy have been idle for hours.

Interestingly, editing a file does not, by itself, keep a file system busy. The -k option doesn't work on a mount point. Once you identify a process that is using a particular directory or file, you can terminate the process using the kill command. Alternately, if you identify the particular file or directory that is being used, you can use fuser's -k command to kill it.

If a file system is busy because of user activity, the most expedient way to make the file system non-busy is to list the processes keeping it busy and terminate each process with a kill In the commands below, I have verified that the user is not actively working before terminating his or her process, but you will have to weigh the interests of your users' processing needs against your need to unmount the file system. Linux systems also include the fuser command, but with different options than Solaris.

If you are administering Linux systems, you should check the man command for the fuser implementation on your system. Sandra Henry-Stocker has been administering Unix systems for more than 30 years. She describes herself as "USL" Unix as a second language but remembers enough English to write books and buy groceries.

Sniggerfardimungus Sniggerfardimungus 11k 10 10 gold badges 47 47 silver badges 92 92 bronze badges. I can not test it: it does not seem installed on my Solaris servers. If you can post an example, that would help. Kent Fredric Kent Fredric Of little value given that the OP specifically said it's a Solaris system. Interesting, but how would you use pfiles? Sign up or log in Sign up using Google. Sign up using Facebook.

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