mediainit

[Anjaneyulu]

Hi,

when we install new disk on server. why we use mediainit command before create the physical volume.

[Johnson Punniyalingam · Accepted solution]

to ==> initialize disk


Further Detail Explaination given below
http://docs.hp.com/en/B9106-90007/mediainit.1.html

Thanks,
Johnson

[Ganesan R]

Hi Anjaneyulu,

You don't need to run mediainit command before create the physical volume.

mediainit command is for low level disk formatting to fix media errors if any. Very rare situations people use to run this command if they suspect some bad blocks or media issues.

[Simeon Harwood]

Mediainit is used for a low level block by block format. This is not needed when a new disk is added. If you are using LVM, using the "pvcreate" command will format the top of the disk with a "PVRA" and "VGRA" ready for the disk to be used by LVM, then the normal LVM commands from there on, will do everything you need.
The only time I've ever used mediainit was if there was a bad block on the disk, or if we had sensitive data on the disk before disposal.

Sime.

[~sesh]

The mediainit command is usually used if the disk has been used for a while, and is getting "old". If there is a doubt on the drive's integrity or reliability mediainit is used to reinitialize the drive.

Generally, for new hard drives, or relatively new hard drives, mediainit is not required. pvcreate, file system creation will wipe out the hard drives, and should be enough.

[sachit patil]

in Hp unix 10.x mediaint was used for small capcity disks.
Nowdays u hv to start with pvcreat -f



Rgds
sachit