Commands Reference, Volume 4

rmdev Command

Purpose

Removes a device from the system.

Syntax

rmdev -l Name [ -d | -S ] [ -f File ] [ -h ] [ -q ] [ -R ]

Description

The rmdev command unconfigures or both unconfigures and undefines the device specified with the device logical name (the -l Name flag). The default action unconfigures the device while retaining its device definition in the Customized Devices object class.

If you specify the -S flag, the rmdev command sets the device to the Stopped state for devices that support the Stopped state. If you specify the -d flag, the rmdev command deletes the device definition from the Customized Devices object class (undefines). If you do not specify the -d flag, the rmdev command sets the device to the Defined state (unconfigures). If you specify the -R flag, the rmdev command acts on any children of the device as well.

Attention: To protect the Configuration database, the rmdev command is not interruptible. Stopping this command before execution is complete could result in a corrupted database.

You can use the Devices application in Web-based System Manager to change device characteristics.

You could also use the System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) smit rmdev fast path to run this command.

Flags

-d	Removes the device definition from the Customized Devices object class. This flag cannot be used with the -S flag.
-f File	Reads the needed flags from the File parameter.
-h	Displays the command usage message.
-l Name	Specifies the logical device, indicated by the Name parameter, in the Customized Devices object class.
-q	Suppresses the command output messages from standard output and standard error.
-R	Unconfigures the device and its children. When used with the -d or -S flags, the children are undefined or stopped, respectively.
-S	Makes the device unavailable by only calling the Stop method if the device has a Stop method. This flag cannot be used with the -d flag.

Security

Privilege Control: Only the root user and members of the system group should have execute (x) access to this command.

Auditing Events:

Event	Information
DEV_Stop	Device name
DEV_Unconfigure	Device name
DEV_Remove	Device name

Examples

To unconfigure the cd0 CD-ROM device while retaining its device definition in the Customized Devices object class, type:
rmdev -l cd0
The system displays a message similar to the following:
```
cd0 defined
```

To remove the cd0 CD-ROM device definition from the Customized Devices object class, type:
rmdev -d -l cd0
The system displays a message similar to the following:
```
cd0 deleted
```

To make Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) unavailable by invoking the Stop method, type:
rmdev -l ent0 -S
The system displays a message similar to the following:
```
ent0 stopped
```

Files

/usr/sbin/rmdev

Contains the rmdev command.

Related Information

The chdev command, lsattr command, lsconn command, lsdev command, lsparent command, mkdev command.

Device Overview for System Management in AIX 5L Version 5.2 System Management Guide: Operating System and Devices.

For information on installing the Web-based System Manager, see Chapter 2: Installation and System Requirements in AIX 5L Version 5.2 Web-based System Manager Administration Guide.