No "etc" folder!?

Question

I am using Serverpilot since I am new to managing a server. So I have been reading to learn the basics.

I keep coming across articles that reference to the “etc” folder. But I can not find any such folder. All I have are the following folders (each with their own sub folders and files but no “etc” file anywhere): Apps Log Run Temp

Am I missing something? Does Serverpilot not create that folder when they install everything?

Thanks in advance.

Ryan Quinn · Answer

When you first log into your droplet you are placed in your user’s home directory. If you log in as root this will be /root, otherwise it will be /home/username. Serverpilot, to the best of my knowledge creates the folders you mentioned within the home directory.

To access the root of your droplet’s drive and locate the /etc/ folder you will have to change up a directory or two to reach /. To do so you can use the command cd .. to move up a directory, or if you are logging in with an SFTP client like Filezilla instead of an SSH client you can find .. usually at the top of the directory listing which will let you move up a directory.

KFSys · Answer

The “etc” folder you are reading about in various articles is actually a fundamental part of a Unix or Linux-based system’s directory structure, and it’s not specific to ServerPilot or any particular application. This folder is usually found at the root of the filesystem and is written as /etc (with a forward slash at the beginning, indicating the root directory).

In the context of Unix-like operating systems, including Ubuntu and other Linux distributions, the /etc directory contains configuration files for the system and various applications. Here’s what might be happening in your case:

Accessing the `/etc` Directory

Root Directory: The /etc folder is at the root of your server’s file system. If you’re logged in via SSH or using a terminal, you can access it by running cd /etc.
Permission Issues: The /etc folder typically requires elevated permissions to view and edit files. If you’re using a non-root user, you might not see it unless you have the appropriate permissions.
Navigating File System: If you’re using a graphical interface or a control panel, ensure you’re navigating the server’s filesystem from the root (very top-level) directory.

ServerPilot and `/etc` Directory

ServerPilot’s Configuration: ServerPilot manages applications running on your server and it will indeed use various configuration files that are often located in the /etc directory.
ServerPilot’s File Structure: The directories like Apps, Log, Run, and Temp you mentioned are likely part of the structure ServerPilot sets up for its own management purposes and are separate from the core Linux file system directories.

Caution

Modifying /etc: Be cautious with changes in the /etc directory. Modifications here can affect server configurations and potentially disrupt services.

If You Can’t Find `/etc`

If you’re unable to find the /etc directory, there could be a misunderstanding in how you’re accessing your server’s file system. It’s also possible that the tool or method you’re using to browse the server’s files does not have the necessary permissions or is not starting at the root of the filesystem.