tmps mounted on /dev/shm--- PLS HELP!!

[maemi3916]

I am going to reformat a CentOS server into Ubuntu server.. When I checked the devices available using df -kh command, a 'tmps' with 251MB size, mounted on /dev/shm appeared together with the /dev/sda and /dev/sdb... I know that /dev/sda and /dev/sdb are the hard disks connected, how about this 'temfs', is it also a hard disk?? I don't really get it..please explain. Thanks!

[sdousley]

tmpfs is actually a small chunk of your memory that's been allocated for storage. It's generally something that gets done automatically. Personally I wouldn't want to go removing it as some apps are likely to use /dev/shm for some temporary storage, and this being on memory (due to being on TMPFS) will make access to it a lot quicker

[maemi3916]

does it mean that it has nothing to do with the hard disk? i mean, i can reformat it without worries on that tmpfs? thanks!

[sdousley]

yes, tmpfs, is just a "fake" drive that's just a small chink of your memory, you can ignore this when reformatting. the new OS will just use it when you reinstall.