In Unix-like operating systems, a “raw” character device refers to a device file that provides direct access to the underlying hardware. The “raw” command is a Unix command that allows you to bind to a raw character device, which enables you to read from and write to the device at the lowest level possible.
The “raw” command is typically used to access low-level hardware devices such as hard drives, network interfaces, and serial ports. By binding to a raw character device, you can bypass higher-level abstractions such as file systems and device drivers, and interact with the device using raw data.
If you encounter the below error while running the command raw:
raw: command not found
you may try installing the below package as per your choice of distribution:
| Distribution | Command |
|---|---|
| Debian | apt-get install util-linux |
| Ubuntu | apt-get install util-linux |
| Alpine | apk add util-linux |
| Arch Linux | pacman -S util-linux |
| Kali Linux | apt-get install util-linux |
| CentOS | yum install util-linux |
| Fedora | dnf install util-linux |
| OS X | brew install util-linux |
| Raspbian | apt-get install util-linux |
raw Command Examples
1. Bind a raw character device to a block device:
# raw /dev/raw/raw1 /dev/block_device
2. Query an existing binding instead of setting a new one:
# raw /dev/raw/raw1
3. Query all bound raw devices:
# raw -qa
It’s important to note that using the “raw” command can be dangerous if you’re not familiar with the device you’re accessing. Improper use of the “raw” command can cause data loss or even damage to the hardware. Therefore, it’s recommended that you only use the “raw” command if you have a good understanding of the device you’re accessing and the potential risks involved.
For more information on the “raw” command and its usage, you can refer to the man page by running the following command:
# man raw