Create Partitions and Filesystems Use various mkfs commands to create various filesystems

In this guide, you’ll learn how to format and optimize Linux partitions using XFS and ext4 filesystems. Whether you’re preparing storage for backups or application data, these commands help you tailor performance and capacity to your needs. We’ll cover:

Formatting a partition with XFS
Inspecting and tuning XFS filesystems
Formatting a partition with ext4
Inspecting and tuning ext4 filesystems

Formatting with XFS

XFS is the default filesystem on CentOS and is known for high performance and scalability.

Running mkfs.xfs on a device will destroy all existing data. Double-check the device name (e.g., /dev/sdb1) before proceeding.

1. Create an XFS Filesystem

To format /dev/sdb1 with the default XFS settings:

sudo mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1

2. Read the Manual and Set a Label

Consult the mkfs.xfs manual for all available options, such as adding a volume label:

man mkfs.xfs

The image shows a terminal window displaying a manual page for the mkfs.xfs command, detailing options and usage for setting filesystem labels and other parameters.

To assign a label (up to 12 characters):

sudo mkfs.xfs -L "BackupVolume" /dev/sdb1

3. View All Creation Options

Running mkfs.xfs without arguments displays a summary of flags:

mkfs.xfs

Example excerpt:

/* blocksize */        [-b size=num]
/* label */            [-L label (maximum 12 characters)]
/* inode size */       [-i size=num,...]
...
<devicename> is required ...

4. Custom Inode Size and Label

Combine options to fine-tune your filesystem. For instance, set 512-byte inodes and a label:

sudo mkfs.xfs -i size=512 -L "BackupVolume" /dev/sdb1

Sample output:

meta-data=/dev/sdb1           isize=512    agcount=4, agsize=262144 blks
data     =                     bsize=4096    blocks=1048576, imaxpct=25
naming   =version 2
log      =internal log
realtime =none

5. Explore XFS Utilities

The XFS toolset lets you inspect and manage filesystems. Typing xfs_ lists available commands:

Utility	Purpose
xfs_admin	View or change the filesystem label
xfs_info	Display geometry and layout details
xfs_growfs	Expand a mounted XFS filesystem
xfs_quota	Manage project and user quotas

6. Change an Existing XFS Label

To view the current label:

sudo xfs_admin -l /dev/sdb1
# label = "BackupVolume"

To update the label:

sudo xfs_admin -L "FirstFS" /dev/sdb1
# writing all SBs
# new label = "FirstFS"

Formatting with ext4

ext4 is widely supported and offers robust data integrity features.

mkfs.ext4 is a convenient alias for mke2fs -t ext4. You can use either command interchangeably.

1. Create an ext4 Filesystem

Format /dev/sdb2 with default ext4 options:

sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb2

2. Read the Manual

Inspect available flags like -L (label) and -N (inode count):

man mkfs.ext4

3. Set a Custom Label and Inode Count

If your workload involves many small files, increase the inode count:

sudo mkfs.ext4 -L "BackupVolume" -N 500000 /dev/sdb2

Sample output:

mke2fs 1.45.6 (20-Mar-2020)
Creating filesystem with 1048576 4k blocks and 500224 inodes
Filesystem UUID: 903a4d4d-af29-4bf3-9fad-1dfdd0cd9f39
Superblock backups stored on blocks:
    32768, 98304, 163840, 229376, 294912, 819200, 884736
Allocating group tables: done
Writing inode tables: done
Creating journal (16384 blocks): done
Writing superblocks and filesystem accounting information: done

4. Examine and Tune ext4

List parameters and check the label:

sudo tune2fs -l /dev/sdb2
sudo tune2fs -l /dev/sdb2 | grep 'Filesystem volume name'
# Filesystem volume name:   BackupVolume

To change the label:

sudo tune2fs -L "SecondFS" /dev/sdb2

Verify:

sudo tune2fs -l /dev/sdb2 | grep 'Filesystem volume name'
# Filesystem volume name:   SecondFS

References

Watch Video

Create Partitions and Filesystems Manage MBR and GPT partition tables

Create Partitions and Filesystems btrfs

Introduction

System Architecture

Linux Installation and Package Management

GNU and Unix Commands

Devices, Linux Filesystems, Filesystem Hierarchy Standard

Conclusion and Mock Exam

Create Partitions and Filesystems Use various mkfs commands to create various filesystems

Formatting with XFS

1. Create an XFS Filesystem

2. Read the Manual and Set a Label

3. View All Creation Options

4. Custom Inode Size and Label

5. Explore XFS Utilities

6. Change an Existing XFS Label

Formatting with ext4

1. Create an ext4 Filesystem

2. Read the Manual

3. Set a Custom Label and Inode Count

4. Examine and Tune ext4

References

Watch Video

​Formatting with XFS

​1. Create an XFS Filesystem

​2. Read the Manual and Set a Label

​3. View All Creation Options

​4. Custom Inode Size and Label

​5. Explore XFS Utilities

​6. Change an Existing XFS Label

​Formatting with ext4

​1. Create an ext4 Filesystem

​2. Read the Manual

​3. Set a Custom Label and Inode Count

​4. Examine and Tune ext4

​References

Watch Video

Formatting with XFS

1. Create an XFS Filesystem

2. Read the Manual and Set a Label

3. View All Creation Options

4. Custom Inode Size and Label

5. Explore XFS Utilities

6. Change an Existing XFS Label

Formatting with ext4

1. Create an ext4 Filesystem

2. Read the Manual

3. Set a Custom Label and Inode Count

4. Examine and Tune ext4

References