resize_ext3_filesystem

Resize ext3 partition

when increasing the partition size: increase the partiton size, then increase the filesystem size

ext3 partitions can theoretically be resized with parted with the resize command but it didn't work in my case, so i used the traditional version. plus parted actually tells you to use other tools for that.. maybe there is something to it :)

fsck.ext3 -f /dev/sda1
tune2fs -O ^has_journal /dev/sda1

use parted or fdisk to delete the partition and create a new one in the desired increased size starting at the same place (DO NOT create a new filesystem!!)

parted /dev/sda
print (shows the current beginig and ending of partition)
rm 1
mkpart primary START END (end can be -1s to be at the last possible sector of the disk) 
quit
resize2fs /dev/sda1
tune2fs -j /dev/sda1
fsck.ext3 /dev/sda1

haven't done this yet. when shrinking a partiton: shrink the filesystem, then shrink the partition. should be prettymuch the same as above in different order. when using resize2fs pass the new smaller size as second argument

post resizing work

change fstab and grub conf if necessary. this is especially necessary if partiton id's have changed. see harddisks_by_uuid_in_debian_lenny

  • resize_ext3_filesystem.txt
  • Last modified: 21.02.2014 14:16
  • by Pascal Suter