Expanding disk space in Linux virtual machines is a key aspect of server system management. In this article, we show how to effectively increase disk space using LVM and fdisk tools, based on real system data.

Preliminary Preparations

Before making changes to partitions and volumes, it is important to check the current state of the disks in the system. We will use the lsblk command to identify available disks and partitions.

lsblk

Here is an example of the lsblk command output on a machine:

NAME                      MAJ:MIN RM  SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
loop0                       7:0    0 55.7M  1 loop /snap/core18/2829
sda                         8:0    0   42G  0 disk
├─sda1                      8:1    0  512M  0 part /boot/efi
├─sda2                      8:2    0    1G  0 part /boot
└─sda3                      8:3    0 40.5G  0 part
  └─ubuntu--vg-ubuntu--lv 253:0    0 78.5G  0 lvm  /
sdb                         8:16   0  350G  0 disk
└─sdb1                      8:17   0   60G  0 part
  └─ubuntu--vg-ubuntu--lv 253:0    0 78.5G  0 lvm  /
sr0                        11:0    1 1024M  0 rom

Creating Snapshots

Before making changes to disk configurations, it is advisable to create a snapshot of the LVM volumes to ensure data can be restored in case of unexpected issues.

lvcreate -L 20G -s -n my_snapshot /dev/ubuntu-vg/ubuntu-lv

Modifying Partitions

Next, we proceed to modify the partitions using fdisk. We remove the existing partition and then create a new one that utilizes the entire available space on disk sdb.

fdisk /dev/sdb

Saving Changes

After properly configuring the partitions, we use the w command in fdisk to save the changes and update the partition table.

Command (m for help): w

Executing pvscan

After modifying the partitions, we execute the pvscan command so the system can update information about available physical volumes.

pvscan

Configuring LVM

After saving changes to the partition table, we need to update the LVM configuration to include the new disk space. We use the lvextend command with automatic file system resizing.

lvextend -l +100%FREE /dev/ubuntu-vg/ubuntu-lv -r

Summary

Expanding disk space on a Linux virtual machine enhances performance and the availability of storage space. Thanks to the steps described, managing disk space in systems using LVM becomes simpler and more efficient.

Artykuł Expanding Storage Space in Linux: Step-by-Step Guide using LVM and fdisk pochodzi z serwisu soban.