How to use the command 'systemd-mount' (with examples)

The ‘systemd-mount’ command is used to establish and destroy transient mount or auto-mount points. It allows you to mount file systems (images or block devices) at specific locations, create automount points, unmount devices, and more.

Use case 1: Mount a file system at a default location

Code:

systemd-mount path/to/file_or_device

Motivation: This use case is helpful when you want to mount a file system at a default location (/run/media/system/LABEL) without specifying a specific mount point.

Explanation:

• systemd-mount: the command itself
• path/to/file_or_device: the path or device name of the file system you want to mount

Example output:

Mounted filesystem path/to/file_or_device at /run/media/system/LABEL.

Use case 2: Mount a file system at a specific location

Code:

systemd-mount path/to/file_or_device path/to/mount_point

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to mount a file system at a specific location instead of the default location.

Explanation:

• systemd-mount: the command itself
• path/to/file_or_device: the path or device name of the file system you want to mount
• path/to/mount_point: the specific location where you want to mount the file system

Example output:

Mounted filesystem path/to/file_or_device at path/to/mount_point.

Use case 3: Show a list of all local, known block devices with file systems

Code:

systemd-mount --list

Motivation: This use case is helpful when you want to see a list of all local block devices with file systems that can be mounted.

Explanation:

• systemd-mount: the command itself
• --list: an option to display the list of block devices with file systems

Example output:

/dev/sda1
/dev/sdb1
/dev/sdb2

Use case 4: Create an automount point

Code:

systemd-mount --automount=yes path/to/file_or_device

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to create an automount point, which will mount the file system automatically at the time of first access.

Explanation:

• systemd-mount: the command itself
• --automount=yes: an option to specify that the mount point should be an automount point
• path/to/file_or_device: the path or device name of the file system you want to mount

Example output:

Created automount point for path/to/file_or_device.

Use case 5: Unmount one or more devices

Code:

systemd-mount --umount path/to/mount_point_or_device1 path/to/mount_point_or_device2

Motivation: This use case is helpful when you want to unmount one or more mounted devices.

Explanation:

• systemd-mount: the command itself
• --umount: an option to specify that the devices should be unmounted
• path/to/mount_point_or_device1: the path or device name of the first mount point or device to unmount
• path/to/mount_point_or_device2: the path or device name of the second mount point or device to unmount (optional)

Example output:

Unmounted path/to/mount_point_or_device1 and path/to/mount_point_or_device2.

Use case 6: Mount a file system with a specific file system type

Code:

systemd-mount --type=file_system_type path/to/file_or_device path/to/mount_point

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to mount a file system with a specific file system type.

Explanation:

• systemd-mount: the command itself
• --type=file_system_type: an option to specify the file system type
• path/to/file_or_device: the path or device name of the file system you want to mount
• path/to/mount_point: the specific location where you want to mount the file system

Example output:

Mounted filesystem path/to/file_or_device at path/to/mount_point with file system type file_system_type.

Use case 7: Mount a file system with additional mount options

Code:

systemd-mount --options=mount_options path/to/file_or_device path/to/mount_point

Motivation: This use case is helpful when you want to mount a file system with additional mount options.

Explanation:

• systemd-mount: the command itself
• --options=mount_options: an option to specify additional mount options
• path/to/file_or_device: the path or device name of the file system you want to mount
• path/to/mount_point: the specific location where you want to mount the file system

Example output:

Mounted filesystem path/to/file_or_device at path/to/mount_point with additional mount options mount_options.

Conclusion:

The ‘systemd-mount’ command provides a range of capabilities for mounting and unmounting file systems. Whether you need to mount a file system at a default or specific location, create automount points, or apply specific mount options, the command offers flexibility and control. By understanding and using the various options, you can effectively manage your file system mounts.