Automounter map types

The three types of automounter map are:

• master maps (see ``Master maps'')

• direct maps (see ``Direct maps'')

• indirect maps (see ``Indirect maps'')

Master maps

The master map is a general map that references other maps containing more specific information. When you enter a command to invoke the automounter and you specify the master map, the master map references direct and indirect maps and gets the information it needs to give to the automount command. automount checks the existence of /etc/auto.master, the default master map, if no maps are specified on the command line.

Direct maps

A direct map contains all the information automount needs to do the mount. It can be specified as an option to the automount command, or may be referenced through an entry in the master map. A direct map allows you to specify alternate servers for a set of resources.

Indirect maps

An indirect map allows you to specify resources to be mounted as a hierarchy under the same mount point. An indirect map allows you to specify alternate servers for a set of resources.