major, minor numbers major = driver (used by kernel when opening device to dispatch to correct driver) minor = used by driver to differentiate device(s) after disk the major, minor numbers are shown: ``` [jasras@n04.compute.vps2-lej1 ~]$ ls -l /dev/dm-* brw-rw---- 1 root disk 253, 0 Oct 25 10:10 /dev/dm-0 brw-rw---- 1 root disk 253, 1 Oct 25 10:11 /dev/dm-1 brw-rw---- 1 root root 253, 11 Oct 28 19:58 /dev/dm-11 brw-rw---- 1 root root 253, 12 Oct 28 19:58 /dev/dm-12 ``` available devices: `cat /proc/devices` character devices vs block devices; what is the difference? --- [oreilly-device-drivers](https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/linux-device-drivers/0596000081/ch03s02.html)