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LVM-micro howto

written by Emidio Planamente eplanamente@gmx.ch

2004-12-12 Version 1.5

This document is based on the official LVM howto and briefly explains how to use Logical Volumes on Debian distribution. Actually, it doesn't treat stripped LV and the only supported filesystems are ext2, ext3 and reiserfs.

1. Introduction

1.1 What is LVM
1.2 Benefits of using LVM

2. Definitions

2.1 LVM definitions
2.2 Author definitions

3. Important note

3.1 Kernel with devfs

4. Installation

4.1 Kernel 2.4
4.2 Tools

5. Commands

5.1 Initializing disk or partition (pvcreate)
5.2 VG: creating a Volume Group (vgcreate)
5.3 VG: scanning for Volume Groups (vgscan)
5.4 VG: activating a Volume Group (vgchange)
5.5 VG: deactivating a Volume Group (vgchange)
5.6 VG: Removing a Volume Group (vgremove)
5.7 PV: adding a Physical Volume to a Volume Group (vgextend)
5.8 PV: removing a Physical Volume from a Volume Group (vgreduce)
5.9 LV: creating a Logical Volume in a Volume Group (lvcreate)
5.10 LV: removing a Logical Volume from a Volume Group (lvremove)
5.11 LV: resizing a unmounted Logical Volume (e2fsadm)
5.12 LV: resizing a mounted Logical Volume (lvextend/lvreduce)
5.13 PE: moving Physical Extents content from a Physical Volume to an other (pvmove)

6. Using LVM for root partition

6.1 Problem descriptions
6.2 Kernel
6.3 Configuration file /etc/fstab
6.4 LVM initial RAM disk
6.5 Configuration file /etc/lilo.conf

7. Snapshot

7.1 What is it
7.2 How to use it

8. Examples

8.1 Creating three LV on two HD
8.2 Removing one Volume Group

9. Troubleshooting

9.1 Can't remove a Volume Group
9.2 Error message: "kmod: runaway modprobe loop assumed and stopped"
9.3 Error message: "depmod: Can't open /lib/modules/2.4.20/modules.dep for writing"

10. Related documents

11. Contact

12. History of revision

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