# Chapter 12 Jails 

  **Table of Contents** 

 12.1 [ Synopsis](jails.html#JAILS-SYNOPSIS)

 12.2 [ Terms Related to Jails](jails-terms.html)

 12.3 [ Introduction](jails-intro.html)

 12.4 [ Creating and Controlling Jails](jails-build.html)

 12.5 [ Fine Tuning and Administration](jails-tuning.html)

 12.6 [ Application of Jails](jails-application.html)

***
 ***Contributed by Matteo Riondato. Updated for DragonFly by Dario Banno.***

# 12.1 Synopsis 

 This chapter will provide an explanation of what DragonFly jails are and how to use them. Jails, sometimes referred to as an enhanced replacement of chroot environments, are a very powerful tool for system administrators, but their basic usage can also be useful for advanced users.

***
 After reading this chapter, you will know:

***
 ***

* What a jail is, and what purpose it may serve in DragonFly installations.

***
 ***

* How to build, start, and stop a jail.

***
 ***

* The basics of jail administration, both from inside and outside the jail.

***
 Other sources of useful information about jails are:

***
 ***

* The [jail(8)](http://leaf.dragonflybsd.org/cgi/web-man?command#jail&section8) manual page. This is the full reference of the jail utility -- the administrative tool which can be used in DragonFly to start, stop, and control DragonFly jails.

***
 ***

* The mailing lists and their archives. The archives of the DragonFly general questions mailing list and other mailing lists hosted by the DragonFly list server already contain a wealth of material for jails. It should always be engaging to search the archives, or post a new question to the [users mailing list](mailto:users@lists.dragonflybsd.org).

----