What is the primary purpose of the 'udev' program?

The primary purpose of 'udev' is to manage hardware devices in Linux. It is a device manager for the Linux kernel that primarily handles the dynamic creation and removal of device nodes in the /dev directory. When hardware is added or removed, 'udev' reacts to these events and sets up the corresponding devices so they can be correctly accessed and utilized by the system.

'udev' operates based on rules that define how to manage different types of hardware. This ensures that devices are assigned the correct names and permissions, and allows for custom scripts to be executed when hardware changes occur. By having a unified approach to device management, 'udev' simplifies the handling of hardware resources, making it easier for both users and applications to interact with devices.

In contrast, managing background processes, user permissions, and network connections pertains to different system functionalities and components. While they are important aspects of a Linux system, they do not fall under the specific responsibilities of 'udev'. Consequently, the focus of 'udev' on hardware management distinctly sets it apart as the correct answer.