How To Resize LVM Partition

sfo · 09-17-2006, 09:52 AM

Hi,

My goal is:

-to resize my existing LVM partition, so that I can install a second OS.

What I want to avoid:

-deleting the existing partition, and set it up all new.
-buying a new hard disk.

I've read a couple of message posts that said that this simply isn't possible, but I'm not willing to give up yet.

fdisk -f

Code:

Disk /dev/hda: 40.0 GB, 40038211584 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 4867 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/hda1   *           1          13      104391   83  Linux
/dev/hda2              14        4867    38989755   8e  Linux LVM

df -hT

Code:

/dev/mapper/main-mvol
              ext3     15G  9.6G  3.9G  72% /
/dev/hda1     ext3     99M   12M   83M  13% /boot
tmpfs        tmpfs    252M     0  252M   0% /dev/shm

pvs

Code:

PV         VG   Fmt  Attr PSize  PFree
/dev/hda2  main lvm2 a-   17.97G 2.34G

lvs

Code:

  LV         VG   Attr   LSize  Origin Snap%  Move Log Copy%
  mvol       main -wi-ao 14.62G
  swap_space main -wi-a-  1.00G

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

keithweddell · 09-17-2006, 11:39 AM

This should be doable but make sure you backup first.

1. Reduce the size of the filesystem in the existing LV using resize2fs. If you don't do this first you will damage your data.

2. Resize the existing LV using lvreduce.

3. Create a new LV from the free space using lvcreate.

The man pages are pretty good on this.

Keith