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Using fdisk and parted: A Comprehensive Guide

Using fdisk and parted: A Comprehensive Guide Using fdisk and parted: A Comprehensive Guide

Using fdisk and parted: A Comprehensive Guide

When managing disk partitions in a Linux environment, two of the most commonly used tools are fdisk and parted. These command-line utilities offer robust functionality for creating, resizing, deleting, and managing disk partitions. This guide will provide a thorough overview of both tools, including their installation, usage, and key features.

Introduction to fdisk and parted

fdisk: This is a powerful disk partitioning utility available in Unix-like operating systems. It allows users to manipulate disk partition tables and is particularly useful for managing MBR (Master Boot Record) partitions.

parted: This tool is designed to handle both MBR and GPT (GUID Partition Table) disks, offering more flexibility than fdisk when it comes to modern storage devices. It also has a more user-friendly interface and supports a broader range of disk operations.

Installing fdisk and parted

Most Linux distributions come with fdisk pre-installed. If it's not available, you can install it using the following commands:

For Debian/Ubuntu-based systems:

sudo apt-get install fdisk

For Red Hat/CentOS-based systems:

sudo yum install fdisk

To install parted, use the following commands:

For Debian/Ubuntu-based systems:

sudo apt-get install parted

For Red Hat/CentOS-based systems:

sudo yum install parted

Using fdisk

1. Listing Disk Information

sudo fdisk -l

2. Creating a New Partition

sudo fdisk /dev/sda

Inside the fdisk prompt, you can create a new partition by following these steps:

  • Press n to create a new partition.
  • Choose the partition type (primary or extended).
  • Specify the partition number and size.
  • Write the changes to the disk by pressing w.

3. Deleting a Partition

sudo fdisk /dev/sda

Inside the fdisk prompt:

  • Press d to delete a partition.
  • Enter the partition number to delete.
  • Write the changes to the disk by pressing w.

Using parted

1. Listing Disk Information

sudo parted -l

2. Creating a New Partition

sudo parted /dev/sda

Inside the parted prompt, you can create a new partition by following these steps:

  • Enter mklabel followed by the label type (e.g., gpt or msdos).
  • Use the mkpart command to create a partition, specifying the type (e.g., primary), file system (e.g., ext4), and the start and end points of the partition.

3. Resizing a Partition

sudo parted /dev/sda

Inside the parted prompt:

  • Use the resizepart command, specifying the partition number and the new end point.

4. Deleting a Partition

sudo parted /dev/sda

Inside the parted prompt:

  • Use the rm command followed by the partition number.

Conclusion

Both fdisk and parted are essential tools for managing disk partitions in a Linux environment. While fdisk is great for handling MBR partitions, parted offers more versatility with its support for both MBR and GPT. By understanding how to use these tools, you can effectively manage your disk partitions and optimize your system's storage.

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