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+@c
+@c  COPYRIGHT (c) 1988-1998.
+@c  On-Line Applications Research Corporation (OAR).
+@c  All rights reserved.
+@c
+@c  $Id$
+@c
+
+@ifinfo
+@node Preface, , Top, Top
+@end ifinfo
+@unnumbered Preface
+
+The following file system capabilities have been added to the existing
+RTEMS system:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+
+@item Mountable file systems
+
+@item Hierarchical file system directory structure
+
+@item POSIX compliant set of routines for the manipulation of files and directories
+
+@item Individual file and directory support for the following:
+
+@enumerate
+
+@item Permissions for read, write and execute
+
+@item User ID
+
+@item Group ID
+
+@item Access time
+
+@item Modification time
+
+@item Creation time
+
+@end enumerate
+
+@item Hard links to files and directories are supported
+
+@item Symbolic links to files and directories are supported
+
+@end itemize
+
+These enhancements have been made to provide the framework for `UNIX like'
+file system support. The POSIX file and directory functions have been
+implemented to allow a standard method of accessing file, device and
+directory information within the file system. The file system concept that
+has been implemented allows for expansion and adaptation of the file
+system to a variety of existing and future data storage devices. To this
+end, file system mount and unmount capabilities have been included in this
+RTEMS framework.
+
+This framework slightly alters the manner in which devices are handled
+under RTEMS. Devices that are defined under a given RTEMS configuration
+will now be registered as files in a mounted file system. Access to these
+devices and their associated device handlers will be obtained through the
+traditional file system open(), read(), write(), lseek(), fstat() and
+ioctl() functions.
+
+A node structure is maintained for each file, device, and directory in the
+file system. The node structure is used to manage ownership, access
+rights, access time, modification time, and creation time. A union of
+structures within the nodal structure provide for manipulation of file
+data, device selection, or directory content as required by the nodal
+type. Manipulation of these properties is accomplished through the POSIX
+set of file and directory functions.
+