Filesystem mounting configuration On Linux, which configuration file lists filesystems and mount points so they can be mounted automatically at boot or on-demand with mount -a?

Introduction / Context:
Persistent mounts in Linux are defined centrally so that disks, partitions, and network filesystems are mounted consistently at boot. Understanding the right file to edit is crucial for servers and workstations to ensure reliable storage access.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The system uses standard Linux tooling.
• We want the file that enumerates device-to-mount-point mappings with options.
• We plan to mount at boot and via mount -a.

Concept / Approach:
/etc/fstab (filesystem table) is the canonical configuration listing device identifiers (UUIDs or block paths), mount points, filesystem types, mount options, and fsck order. Contents are read by system startup scripts and by mount -a to mount all configured entries that are not marked noauto.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Open /etc/fstab as root to define persistent mounts.Use UUID= or LABEL= for stable device identification.Apply appropriate options (e.g., defaults, noatime, _netdev).Test with mount -a and verify with mount or findmnt.

Verification / Alternative check:
Run findmnt or cat /proc/mounts to confirm active mounts. System logs (journalctl) show boot-time mount success or failures tied to fstab entries.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
/etc/mount.sys and /etc/filesys are not standard./etc/sysconfig stores various distro settings but not the master mount table.

Common Pitfalls:

• Using device paths (/dev/sdX) that change; prefer UUID/LABEL.
• Forgetting noauto or _netdev on network mounts, causing boot delays.
• Incorrect fs_passno values that break fsck order on startup.

Final Answer:
/etc/fstab