UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

How do I create new disk slices taking space from an existing slice? Right now I have slice 6 (/usr) with 16G. I'd like to create slices 5 (/opt) and 7 (/export/home) and steal space from slice 6.

Thanks

It depends what OS and file system you are using. With the UFS file system (native Solaris), you cannot shrink or grow a file system. Depending on the status of the box (can you take it down), the amount of config time and apps, etc, it may be easiest to reinstall the box. If that is not an option, can you post the output of this command:

Code:

/usr/sbin/prtvtoc /dev/rdsk/c0t0d0s2

You may have to change the c0t0d0s2 to be another disk on the system. If you are having problems, post the output of:

Code:

df -k

I almost forgot the cheap fix, though this may not be acceptable in your situation. It is just making links. /opt and /export cannot already exist when you creat the link.

If opt exists, you will need to run this first to make a copy of /opt under /usr.

Code:

find /opt | cpio -pdmv /usr

Then go into single user mode

Code:

reboot -- -s

If /opt is already it's own slice and it is mounted, it will have to be unmounted.

Code:

fuser -uck /opt ; umount /opt

Then, make the links.

Code:

fuser -uck /opt
mv /opt /opt.old
ln -s /usr/opt /opt
mkdir -p /usr/export/home
ln -s /usr/export /export
reboot

This method will not limit the size of each directory tree. If all seems to be working well, you can delete /opt.old

Code:

rm -rf /opt.old

If not, you can roll back

Code:

rm /opt
mv /opt.old /opt

It is UFS file system. So that's out. A developer had asked me the question and thought was that it could not be done. I just needed confirmation. Thanks for your help.