> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://notes.kodekloud.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Create Partitions and Filesystems Manage MBR and GPT partition tables > Linux allows partitioning of disks for separate filesystems and operating systems management. Linux lets you divide a physical disk into multiple partitions, each with its own filesystem. For example, on a 2 TB SSD you might allocate 1 TB for Windows (NTFS) and 1 TB for Linux (ext4). Partitioning keeps filesystems separate and lets each OS manage its space independently. ## Why Partition a Disk? * Separate operating systems (e.g., Windows vs. Linux) * Isolate data, swap, and boot partitions * Use different partition table formats: MBR (DOS) vs. GPT (modern systems) Leaving 1 MiB unallocated at the start of the disk is a best practice. Many bootloaders require this alignment for optimal performance. ## 1. Viewing Existing Partitions Use `lsblk` to list block devices and their partitions: ```bash theme={null} lsblk ``` Only entries with TYPE `part` are actual partitions: ```bash theme={null} $ lsblk 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 │ ├─cs-root 253:0 0 17G 0 lvm / │ └─cs-swap 253:1 0 2G 0 lvm [SWAP] sdb 8:16 0 10G 0 disk sr0 11:0 1 1024M 0 rom ``` | Column | Meaning | | ---------- | ---------------------------------- | | NAME | Device name (`sda`, `sdb`, etc.) | | SIZE | Disk or partition size | | TYPE | `disk`, `part`, or `lvm` | | MOUNTPOINT | Where it’s mounted (if applicable) | ## 2. Inspecting the Partition Table with fdisk To view the partition table on `/dev/sda`, run: ```bash theme={null} sudo fdisk --list /dev/sda ``` Sample output: ```bash theme={null} Disk /dev/sda: 20 GiB, 21474836480 bytes, 41943040 sectors Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes Disklabel type: dos Disk identifier: 0xb65442dd Device Boot Start End Sectors Size Id Type /dev/sda1 * 2048 2099199 2097152 1G 83 Linux /dev/sda2 2099200 41943039 39843840 19G 8e Linux LVM ``` * `Disklabel type: dos` indicates an MBR partition table. * `Start` and `End` are measured in 512-byte sectors. ## 3. Creating and Modifying Partitions with cfdisk `cfdisk` offers an ncurses interface for partitioning. It’s especially helpful on servers without a GUI. ### Steps to Partition `/dev/sdb` 1. Attach the disk (e.g., `sdb`) and launch: ```bash theme={null} sudo cfdisk /dev/sdb ``` 2. **Select a label**: * GPT for modern UEFI systems. * DOS for legacy MBR. 3. **Create partitions**: * Navigate to **Free Space** → **New** → enter `8G` → **Enter**. * Repeat in remaining free space with `2G`. 4. **Resize or split** (optional): * Highlight a partition → **Resize** → enter new size (e.g., `4G`). * Use freed space to create another partition. ![The image shows a terminal window displaying disk partition information for /dev/sdb, including details about partitions, free space, and options for managing them.](https://kodekloud.com/kk-media/image/upload/v1752881375/notes-assets/images/Linux-Professional-Institute-LPIC-1-Exam-101-Create-Partitions-and-Filesystems-Manage-MBR-and-GPT-partition-tables/disk-partition-info-terminal-dev-sdb.jpg) ```bash theme={null} Disk: /dev/sdb Size: 10 GiB, 10737418240 bytes, 20971520 sectors Label: gpt, identifier: 42F7FA1E-9398-1741-89AA-477083B71FC3 Device Start End Sectors Size Type /dev/sdb1 2048 8390655 8388608 4G Linux filesystem /dev/sdb2 8390656 16779263 8388608 4G Linux filesystem /dev/sdb3 16779264 20971486 4192223 2G Linux filesystem ``` ### 3.1 Setting a Partition Type The default type is “Linux filesystem.” To mark `/dev/sdb3` as swap: * Highlight **sdb3** → **Type** → select **Linux swap** → **Enter**. ![The image shows a terminal window with a menu for selecting a partition type, highlighting "Linux swap" among various options like EFI System and Microsoft reserved.](https://kodekloud.com/kk-media/image/upload/v1752881376/notes-assets/images/Linux-Professional-Institute-LPIC-1-Exam-101-Create-Partitions-and-Filesystems-Manage-MBR-and-GPT-partition-tables/terminal-partition-type-linux-swap.jpg) You can also choose types like **EFI System** for UEFI boot partitions or **Microsoft reserved** for Windows. ![The image shows a terminal window displaying a disk partitioning tool on a CentOS system, listing partitions on the disk /dev/sdb with details like size and type.](https://kodekloud.com/kk-media/image/upload/v1752881377/notes-assets/images/Linux-Professional-Institute-LPIC-1-Exam-101-Create-Partitions-and-Filesystems-Manage-MBR-and-GPT-partition-tables/centos-terminal-disk-partitioning-tool.jpg) When you **Write** changes in `cfdisk`, all partition modifications become permanent. Double-check before confirming. ### 3.2 Writing and Quitting 1. Select **Write**, type `yes`, and press Enter. 2. Select **Quit** to exit `cfdisk`. ## 4. Verifying the New Partitions Back in the shell, confirm with `lsblk`: ```bash theme={null} lsblk ``` ```bash theme={null} 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 │ ├─cs-root 253:0 0 17G 0 lvm / │ └─cs-swap 253:1 0 2G 0 lvm [SWAP] sdb 8:16 0 10G 0 disk ├─sdb1 8:17 0 4G 0 part ├─sdb2 8:18 0 4G 0 part └─sdb3 8:19 0 2G 0 part sr0 11:0 1 1024M 0 rom ``` Now `/dev/sdb` has three partitions: two 4 GiB data partitions and one 2 GiB swap. *** ## Summary of Common Commands | Command | Purpose | Example | | -------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ------------------------ | | lsblk | List block devices and partitions | `lsblk` | | sudo fdisk --list /dev/sdX | Show partition table | `sudo fdisk -l /dev/sda` | | sudo cfdisk /dev/sdX | Interactive disk partitioning | `sudo cfdisk /dev/sdb` | ## Links and References * [lsblk(8) — list block devices](https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man8/lsblk.8.html) * [fdisk(8) — partition table manipulator](https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man8/fdisk.8.html) * [cfdisk(8) — curses-based partition editor](https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man8/cfdisk.8.html) * [GPT vs. MBR Partition Tables](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GUID_Partition_Table)