[Linux] Bash resize2fs Usage: Resize ext2/ext3/ext4 file systems

Overview

The resize2fs command is used to resize ext2, ext3, or ext4 file systems. It allows you to increase or decrease the size of a file system on a partition without losing data, making it a valuable tool for managing disk space.

Usage

The basic syntax of the resize2fs command is as follows:

resize2fs [options] [arguments]

Common Options

• -f: Force the resize operation, even if the file system is mounted.
• -p: Print progress information while resizing.
• -s: Resize the file system to the size of the underlying block device.
• -M: Minimize the size of the file system.
• -d: Enable debug output.

Common Examples

Here are some practical examples of using resize2fs:

1. Resize a file system to a specific size:

   resize2fs /dev/sda1 20G
   

   This command resizes the file system on /dev/sda1 to 20 gigabytes.

2. Resize a file system to use all available space:

   resize2fs /dev/sda1
   

   This command will expand the file system on /dev/sda1 to fill the entire partition.

3. Force a resize operation:

   resize2fs -f /dev/sda1 15G
   

   This command forces the resize of the file system on /dev/sda1 to 15 gigabytes, even if it is mounted.

4. Print progress while resizing:

   resize2fs -p /dev/sda1
   

   This command will resize the file system on /dev/sda1 and display the progress of the operation.

Tips

• Always ensure that you have a backup of your data before resizing a file system, as there is a risk of data loss.
• It is recommended to unmount the file system before resizing it to avoid potential issues.
• Use the -M option to minimize the file system size, which can help in reclaiming unused space effectively.