What creates /dev/pts, /dev/loopx, and other /dev devices - Fedora Core 2

[rickpo12]

Sorry, I know this version of Linux is old, but I cannot upgrade it at this moment in time. The following is what I have done so far.

1. I have a physical server running Fedora Core 2 and is running fine.
2. I need to virtualize this server onto a VMware 4.1 platform.
3. I have used the VMware converter P2V program to create the initial VM in VMware.
4. The VM boots up and I am able to login to the server from the console only
5. I you attempt to ssh to the server, just after it prompts for the password, the terminal hangs.
6. What is causing this issue is that for some reason the /dev/pts devices are not being created. For that matter, also I have noticed that the /dev/loopx devices are also not begin created.
7. If I look at the /etc/fstab file I see the entry to mount the /dev/pts devices are devpts type.
8. When I issue a mount command I DO see that it displays the /dev/pts as being mounted.
9. THE PROBLEM is the the /dev/pts directory does not exist.
10. So again, when someone remotely attempts to ssh, it cannot create a pts device under /dev/pts for that session.
11. My workaround is that I manually create the /dev/pts directory and then enter "mount /dev/pts" and it mounts it.
12. This time since the directory exist, when you attempt to ssh to the server you are able to login.
13. If I do a fresh install of Fedora Core 2 in VMware, once I login and see all the expected devices in /dev. I see the /dev/pts directory, /etc/loopx, and /dev/shm devices that I do not see in the migrated P2V server.
14. I thought the problem was with VMware, so I created a new VM and assigned this VM to use the same vmdk (virtual hard disk) as the migrated VM. When I booted the VM I still have the problem with NO /dev/pts directory, dev/loopx devices, and /dev/shm, as well as other devices not created.

What I need to know, hopefully someone still reads this section, is what is the process for this version of Linux that is responsible for creating /dev devices? And, how might I troubleshoot why these devices are not being created?

Thank you

Rick