AFS File Tree

While you have seen a file tree before and understand hierarchy. It is very important to understand the AFS file tree and how things are organized here at NC State. This will allow you to move around effectively inside the system.

The file tree starts at the "root" directory. This directory is symbolized (named) "/" (slash). The root directory contains all other directories and files. The main directory that we will be concerned about under the root directory is the "afs" directory. The next level of the tree contains the various systems that can be found here at NCSU. We have the PAMS system for the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (pams.ncsu.edu), the Eos system for the College of Engineering (eos.ncsu.edu), one for the College of Textiles (tx.ncsu.edu), and the Unity system (unity.ncsu.edu) which is where most user files are stored.

All user accounts are stored in a "users" directory under their respective system. At one time, users had to have their accounts placed under Eos if they were in the College of Engineering. Several years ago this changed, and now all new user accounts are placed under Unity. Under the users directory (no matter what system you are under) are twenty-six directories, one for each letter of the alphabet. Your home directory is stored under the appropriate letter, by the first letter in your login ID. Therefore, jschmoe would be located under the "j" directory. You control the organization of your home directory.

An important directory on the Eos system is the "courses" directory. It contains directories and lockers which contain information for many classes here at NC State University. The lockers are grouped in directories according to their course prefix. One example of a "locker" is the "e115" locker. It contains information relating to E115. Inside the e115 locker there is a directory called "EosLabs" which contains subdirectories for each of the labs taught in E115.

It is important to remember that the directory tree on Eos/Unity contains thousands of files and directories (of which we are showing just a tiny bit). The file tree is very logical and easy to use, as you've already seen.