Partitioning and formatting disks from the command line.

[dos2unix]

Using fdisk to Create a Partition Table in Linux​

Difference Between GPT and DOS Partition Tables​

GPT (GUID Partition Table):

• Supports disks larger than 2 TB.
• Allows for an almost unlimited number of partitions.
• Stores multiple copies of the partition table for redundancy.
• Uses CRC32 checksums for integrity verification

DOS (MBR - Master Boot Record):

• Limited to 2 TB disk size.
• Supports up to 4 primary partitions (or 3 primary and 1 extended partition).
• No built-in redundancy or integrity checks.

Advantages of GPT Over DOS​

• Supports Larger Disks: GPT can handle disks larger than 2 TB, whereas DOS is limited to 2 TB
  
  
• More Partitions: GPT allows for a virtually unlimited number of partitions, compared to DOS's limit of 4 primary partitions
  
  
• Redundancy: GPT stores multiple copies of the partition table, enhancing data recovery in case of corruption
  
  
• Integrity: GPT uses CRC32 checksums to ensure the integrity of the partition table

Creating Partitions with fdisk​

Example 1: Single Partition on /dev/sdb​

1. Open fdisk for the device:
   

   sudo fdisk /dev/sdb

   
   
2. Create a new partition table (GPT):
   

   g

   
   
3. Create a new partition:
   

   n

   
   
4. Write changes and exit:
   

   w

Example 2: Three Partitions on /dev/nvme0n1​

1. Open fdisk for the device:
   

   sudo fdisk /dev/nvme0n1

   
   
2. Create a new partition table (GPT):
   

   g

   
   
3. Create the first partition (50GB):
   

   n

   • When prompted for the first sector, press Enter to accept the default.
   • When prompted for the last sector, type +50G and press Enter.
4. Create the second partition (100GB):
   

   n

   • When prompted for the first sector, press Enter to accept the default.
   • When prompted for the last sector, type +100G and press Enter.
5. Create the third partition (rest of the disk):
   

   n

   • When prompted for the first sector, press Enter to accept the default.
   • When prompted for the last sector, press Enter to use the remaining space.
6. Write changes and exit:
   

   w

Example 3: USB Thumb Drive on /dev/sdc​

1. Open fdisk for the device:
   

   sudo fdisk /dev/sdc

   
   
2. Create a new partition table (GPT):
   

   g

   
   
3. Create a new partition:
   

   n

   
   
4. Write changes and exit:
   

   w

Partition Types​

• Linux Filesystem: 83
• Linux Swap: 82
• EFI System: EF
• Microsoft Data: 07
• Linux Root: 8304
• Linux Data: 8300

Formatting Partitions​

Single Partition Example​

1. Format the partition as ext4:

   sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1

Three Partitions Example​

1. Format the first partition as ext4:
   

   sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/nvme0n1p1

   
   
2. Format the second partition as xfs:
   

   sudo mkfs.xfs /dev/nvme0n1p2

   
   
3. Format the third partition as exfat:
   

   sudo mkfs.exfat /dev/nvme0n1p3

USB Thumb Drive Example​

1. Format the partition as exfat:

   sudo mkfs.exfat /dev/sdc1

Disk Format​

Disk formatting involves preparing a storage device for use by an operating system, which includes creating a file system that organizes and manages files on the disk

Advantages of exFAT Over FAT32​

• Larger File Size Support: exFAT supports files larger than 4 GB, unlike FAT32
  
  
• Larger Partition Size: exFAT can handle partitions larger than 8 TB, whereas FAT32 is limited to 8 TB

Getting UUID of Each Partition​

1. Use blkid to get the UUID:
   

   sudo blkid

   
   
2. Example output:
   

   /dev/sdb1: UUID="123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174000" TYPE="ext4"
   /dev/nvme0n1p1: UUID="123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174001" TYPE="ext4"
   /dev/nvme0n1p2: UUID="123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174002" TYPE="xfs"
   /dev/nvme0n1p3: UUID="123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174003" TYPE="exfat"
   /dev/sdc1: UUID="123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174004" TYPE="exfat"

Using UUID in /etc/fstab to Automount Partitions​

1. Open /etc/fstab in a text editor:
   

   sudo nano /etc/fstab

   
   
2. Add entries for each partition:
   

   UUID=123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174000 /mnt ext4 defaults 0 0
   UUID=123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174001 /mnt/data1 ext4 defaults 0 0
   UUID=123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174002 /mnt/data2 xfs defaults 0 0
   UUID=123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174003 /mnt/data3 exfat defaults 0 0
   UUID=123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174004 /mnt/usb exfat defaults 0 0

   
   
3. Each partition needs its own mount point and individual line in /etc/fstab.

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I hope this guide helps you understand how to use fdisk to create partition tables, format partitions, and set up automounting using UUIDs in Linux!

 

[GatorsFan]

gparted or gnome disk utility is easier

 

[dos2unix]

True, but you can't do them from the command line.

 

[GatorsFan]

For Gparted it is just parted via CLI
sudo parted
see here for CLI usage- https://www.commandinline.com/cheat-sheet/parted/

It is true for Gnome Disk Utility - no CLI except to start the program - sudo gnome-disks