/sbin Directory: Explanation & Insights

Contains system binary executables

The /sbin directory (short for "system binary") on a Linux system contains system binary executables that are used for system maintenance and configuration. These executables are typically only used by the system itself, and they are usually required to perform tasks such as managing system services, managing the system's hardware, and configuring the system.

Some examples of important files in the /sbin directory include:

• ´/sbin/init` - the process that is responsible for starting and stopping the system
• ´/sbin/shutdown` - the command used to shut down the system
• ´/sbin/reboot` - the command used to reboot the system
• ´/sbin/halt` - the command used to halt the system
• ´/sbin/ip` - the command used to configure the system's network interfaces
• ´/sbin/ifconfig` - the command used to configure the system's network interfaces
• ´/sbin/route` - the command used to view and manipulate the system's routing table
• ´/sbin/modprobe` - the command used to load and unload kernel modules
• ´/sbin/lspci` - the command used to list PCI devices on the system
• ´/sbin/fdisk` - the command used to manipulate disk partitions

Note that this is just a small sampling of the commands in this directory. See this list for an overview of the most important commands not only in /sbin, but also in /bin.