Configure AutoFS to Automatically Mount Filesystems

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Configure AutoFS to Automatically Mount Filesystems

`autofs` allows file systems to be automatically mounted when they are accessed. In this hands-on lab, you are tasked with configuring a series of mounts using `autofs`.

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Lab Info

Level

Intermediate

Last updated

Sep 08, 2025

Duration

30m

Challenge

Install the `autofs` Package and Start and Enable the `autofs` Service
1. Use the yum command to install the autofs package:
  
  yum install -y autofs
2. Start and enable the autofs service:
  
  systemctl enable autofs --now
Challenge

Create an Indirect Mount at `/mnt/marketing`
1. Create the /mnt/marketing directory:
  
  mkdir /mnt/marketing
2. Use a text editor to add the following entry to /etc/auto.master for /mnt/marketing:
  
  /mnt/marketing /etc/auto.marketing
3. Create a map file for /mnt/marketing called /etc/auto.marketing with the following contents:
  
  assets -fstype=xfs :/dev/xvdg1 backup -fstype=btrfs,ro :/dev/xvdg2
4. Restart the autofs service to apply the changes:
  
  systemctl restart autofs
Challenge

Create a Direct Mount at `/mnt/admin/data`
1. Use a text editor to add the following entry to /etc/auto.master:
  
  /- /etc/auto.admin
2. Create a map file for the entry called /etc/auto.admin with the following contents:
  
  /mnt/admin/data -fstype=ext4 :/dev/xvdg3
3. Restart the autofs service to apply the changes:
  
  systemctl restart autofs
Challenge

Create a Direct Mount at `/mnt/user/data`
1. Use a text editor to add the following entry to /etc/auto.master:
  
  /- /etc/auto.user --timeout=3600
2. Create a map file for the entry called /etc/auto.user with the following contents:
  
  /mnt/user/data -fstype=ext2 :/dev/xvdg4
3. Restart the autofs service to apply the changes:
  
  systemctl restart autofs

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