Tech Tutorial: Configure Local Storage on RHEL #
Introduction #
In this tutorial, we will delve into managing local storage on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) system, focusing on how to list, create, and delete partitions on both MBR (Master Boot Record) and GPT (GUID Partition Table) disks. This knowledge is crucial for system administrators preparing for the Red Hat Certified Systems Administrator (RHCSA) exam.
We will use specific RHEL commands and tools, ensuring that the examples are directly applicable for RHEL environments.
Prerequisites #
- A system running RHEL 7 or RHEL 8
- Basic familiarity with terminal and command line operations
- Root or sudo privileges on the system
Step-by-Step Guide #
1. Listing Existing Partitions #
Before modifying disk partitions, it’s essential to understand the current partition layout. We’ll use the lsblk
and fdisk
commands.
Using lsblk
#
The lsblk
command lists all available block devices along with their partitions.
sudo lsblk
Output:
NAME MAJ:MIN RM SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
sda 8:0 0 20G 0 disk
├─sda1 8:1 0 1G 0 part /boot
└─sda2 8:2 0 19G 0 part
├─rhel-root 253:0 0 17G 0 lvm /
└─rhel-swap 253:1 0 2G 0 lvm [SWAP]
Using fdisk
#
To view more detailed information, including the disk label type, use fdisk
.
sudo fdisk -l /dev/sda
2. Creating Partitions #
We will use fdisk
for MBR and gdisk
for GPT. Here’s how to create a new partition.
MBR Partitions with fdisk
#
Start
fdisk
on the target device:sudo fdisk /dev/sda
To create a new partition, press
n
. Then choosep
for primary and specify the partition number, start sector, and size (e.g., +500M for 500 MB).To save the changes and exit, press
w
.
GPT Partitions with gdisk
#
Start
gdisk
on the target device:sudo gdisk /dev/sda
Press
n
to create a new partition, accept the defaults or specify the partition number, first sector, and size.To write the table to disk and exit, press
w
.
3. Deleting Partitions #
Deleting with fdisk
#
Start
fdisk
:sudo fdisk /dev/sda
Press
d
to delete a partition. Specify the partition number.Press
w
to write changes.
Deleting with gdisk
#
Start
gdisk
:sudo gdisk /dev/sda
Press
d
to delete a partition and enter the partition number.Press
w
to write changes.
Detailed Code Examples #
Here’s a complete example of creating and deleting a partition using fdisk
on an MBR disk:
# Listing partitions
sudo fdisk -l /dev/sda
# Creating a new partition
sudo fdisk /dev/sda
n
p
3
[default]
+1G
w
# Deleting the partition
sudo fdisk /dev/sda
d
3
w
Conclusion #
Understanding how to list, create, and delete partitions on MBR and GPT disks is essential for managing storage on RHEL systems. This tutorial covered the commands and procedures necessary for these tasks, providing a solid foundation for those preparing for the RHCSA exam.
Remember, always back up data before modifying disk partitions to avoid data loss. Happy learning and good luck with your RHCSA preparation!