topic Re: Format File system. in Operating System - HP-UX

Format File system.

gigiz — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:16:04 GMT

Hallo !!!
I would want to know if is it possible "TO FORMAT at LOW LIVELL a FILE SYSTEM" and which is the command

Re: Format File system.

Ivan Ferreira — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:21:22 GMT

LOW LEVEL? What are you trying to do, you can zero a block device using dd if=/dev/zero and then re-create the file system.

Re: Format File system.

Senthil Kumar .A_1 — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:22:18 GMT

Hi,

It should be possible with the command, mediainit.

But, the usage is highly discouraged because,nowadays, all known disks are Low level formatted at the factory itself. Please remember it gets more complicated than olden days because, you are bound to have more sectors per track as you move from inner to outer cylinders.

Regards,
Senthil Kumar .A

Re: Format File system.

James R. Ferguson — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:24:56 GMT

Hi:

If by "format" you mean destroy and initialize, then use 'newfs'. See the manpages for more information.

Regards!

...JRF...

Re: Format File system.

A. Clay Stephenson — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:26:19 GMT

Note the the terms "low level format" and "filesystem" are mutually exclusive terms. There is no need to run mediainit on any drives under HP-UX. It would help if you better explained what you are hoping to achieve.

Re: Format File system.

Senthil Kumar .A_1 — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:28:33 GMT

Hi again,

mediainit is used for low level formatting of DISKs, tape etc.. not the Filesystem. I do not understand, what the word FILESYSTEM is doing, if you are interested in lowlevel formatting.

Please be aware that low level formating means, creating sectors and tracks and has nothing to do with filesystem.

If you are talking about formating filesystem ,then ... mkfs,newfs are the ones you are looking for.

Regards,
Senthil Kumar .A

Re: Format File system.

gigiz — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:34:35 GMT

Ok
They have asked me to make one script to format at low level ...
I have thought next to the commando newfs someone I have spoken to me about a script that writes all zero ...
Sincerely I do not know if it is better to use newfs or other procedures as that one of the zero.
Someone know to give a council to me?

Re: Format File system.

Senthil Kumar .A_1 — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:38:30 GMT

Hi,

The better option is "dd"

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/rdsk/c#t#d# bs=1024000

NOTE: please understand what you are doing..

Do not use mediainit, it is not recommended.

Regards,
Senthil Kumar .A

Re: Format File system.

Senthil Kumar .A_1 — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:40:37 GMT

By the way Gigiz,

do you want to blank out the disk or create a filesystem. Please be clear in your query.Please understand the dd in my previous post blanks out the disk not...

Regards,
Senthil Kumar .A

Re: Format File system.

Pete Randall — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:41:43 GMT

Typically the use of /dev/zero to write zeros is done at the physical volume level for security reasons when a system is about to be transferred (sold/donated) to an outside party. This is what would be called "low level". You can also run mediainit but, once again, this is done against a whole physical disk.

If you truly mean to null out a single file system, which, by the way, could occupy part of a disk or several disks, then the method of choice would be to run the newfs command.

Pete

Re: Format File system.

A. Clay Stephenson — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:43:00 GMT

If you need to erase (actually overwrite) all data on the disk for security concerns then multiple runs of dd writing random data should be your approach. If all you want to do is make the disk/LUN/LVOL available for use again as a filesystem then the newfs command is quite sufficient.

Re: Format File system.

gigiz — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:49:12 GMT

I want to format a file system that it can be on more of one disk ....

Re: Format File system.

A. Clay Stephenson — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:55:49 GMT

Do you want to create more than one filesystem on the same disk OR do you want to allow a filesystem to extend over more than 1 disk? In any event, the answer is the same -- the Logical Volume Manager (LVM)
or the Veritas Volume Manager (VxVM) if you have it installed.

The idea is that you use pvcreate to prepare the disk(s) for use under LVM. You then create a volume group (VG) using vgcreate. Next, ig you need to add more disks, you use vgextend. You use lvcreate to create Logical Volumes (LVOL's) and finally newfs is used to create the filesystems on each LVOL.

Man pvcreate, vgcreate, vgextend, lvcreate, and newfs_vxfs for details.

Re: Format File system.

Senthil Kumar .A_1 — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:57:23 GMT

could you rephrase the question again gigiz,
Hard to make out what you are trying to convey.

Re: Format File system.

Senthil Kumar .A_1 — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 10:59:11 GMT

potreste formulare nuovamente ancora il gigiz di domanda, duro fare fuori che cosa state provando a trasportare.

Re: Format File system.

James R. Ferguson — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 11:01:12 GMT

Hi:

You should probably read chapter-6 of the "Managing Systems and Workgroups: A Guide for HP-UX System Administrators" guide:

http://docs.hp.com/en/B2355-90950/B2355-90950.pdf

This chapter will provide you with a better understanding of disks and filesystems.

Regards!

...JRF...

Re: Format File system.

gigiz — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 11:03:49 GMT

I know very well LVM
I don't want to extend or create a logical volume or file system, I WANT say if may be format a FILE SYSTEM, and which is the better commando in order to make it ?

Re: Format File system.

James R. Ferguson — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 11:07:43 GMT

Hi:

You already have your answer. Use 'newfs' or write zeros with 'dd' to the raw device.

Define "better". If security is your objective, then pour acid on the disk and beat it with a sledgehammer. Afterwards, place the pieces it in a large magnetic field.

Regards!

...JRF...

Re: Format File system.

Senthil Kumar .A_1 — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 11:13:00 GMT

Hi James,

Your informal comment on technical term "Degauzzing" has left me Laughing. This is the first ITRC thread which has done this. A nice and cute phrase to use it for my customer in future.

:))

Regards,
Senthil Kumar .A

Re: Format File system.

gigiz — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 11:43:19 GMT

ferguson me memories the trainer of manchester the whose career e' on the way of the sunset

:-)
Smile