In fd_init() in filesys.c the namelist file is opened and pc->nfd is initialized: if ((pc->nfd = open(pc->namelist, O_RDONLY)) < 0) error(FATAL, "%s: %s\n", pc->namelist, strerror(errno)); else { close(pc->nfd); pc->nfd = -1; } In the event of a successful open the else clause is executed, and the file that was just opened is closed. Why? James T. Bradshaw Firmware Engineer Enterasys Networks 50 Minuteman Rd. Andover, MA 01810 USA Tel. (978) 684-1544