2.3. The /proc Virtual File System
2.3. The /proc Virtual File System Unlike most file systems, /proc contains neither text nor binary files. Because it houses virtual files , the /proc is referred to as a virtual file system. These virtual files are typically zero bytes in size, even if they contain a large amount of information. The /proc file system is not used for storage. Its main purpose is to provide a file-based interface to hardware, memory, running processes, and other system components. Real-time information can be retrieved on many system components by viewing the corresponding /proc file. Some of the files within /proc can also be manipulated (by both users and applications) to configure the kernel. The following /proc files are relevant in managing and monitoring system storage: /proc/devices Displays various character and block devices that are currently configured. /proc/filesystems Lists all file system types currently supported by the kernel. /proc/mdstat Contains current information on multiple-disk or RAID configurations on the system, if they exist. /proc/mounts Lists all mounts currently used by the system. /proc/partitions Contains partition block allocation information. For more information about the /proc file system, see the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Deployment Guide .