1. A kernel-based automounter for Linux. The kernel automounter implements an almost complete SunOS style automounter under Linux. The automounter is supported by Linux kernels 2.0.31 and higher or the 2.1.X series. Automounter support must be activated while compiling the kernel. From Debian 3.0r0 APT

2. Autofs controls the operation of the automount daemons. The automount daemons automatically mount filesystems when you use them and unmount them after a period of inactivity. Filesystems can include network filesystems, CD-ROMs, floppies, and other media. Install this package if you want a program for automatically mounting and unmounting filesystems. If your Red Hat Linux machine is on anetwork, you should install autofs. From Redhat 8.0 RPM