-
Include in-place file system conversion tool (convertfs)...
Hi all,
A suggestion for a tool that would be REALLY usefull on the Knoppix CD :
http://tzukanov.narod.ru/convertfs/
(it should take less than 150KB so it should probably fit on the cd... ?)
Please note that I've not (yet) tested this software, but this is really something I would have needed a couple of times (doing this using tar and/or netcat is not fun at all, and you need another HD/computer...)
Please let me know what you think about this suggestion...
Vincent
-
No reply/feedback at all... am I really the only one interested in such a feature ???
=========================================
convertfs v1.3
Convert filesystem on device from this type to this type.
Usage: convertfs device from_fs_type to_fs_type
Filesystem types: minix xfs jfs reiserfs ext2 ext3
Example: convertfs /dev/hda2 ext2 reiserfs
=========================================
-
Senior Member
registered user
Is it in-place ? I browse briefly and it seems like a tar out/reformat/tar in to me.
-
Yes, it is:
This simple toolset allows you to change type of file system in the lack of backup space. The idea
is to use sparse files support of primary filesystem. We create a sparse image of block device, mkfs secondary filesystem on it, mount it, mv files from primary filesystem to mounted image and then
map image to the device.
Thus (if I understand correctly) the only condition is that the free space on the partition you want to convert has to be be bigger than the size of the biggest file on the partition - so that you can move it to the sparse image. No other disk/partition needed ! I don't know any other tool that can achieve the same in linux...
-
Senior Member
registered user
What does it mean by sparse image ? I don't quite understand how it does it.
-
From http://www.nic.com/~cheah/hole.html : "On many Unix filesystems, files containing long strings of nulls can be stored much more efficiently than other files. To be specific, if a string of nulls spans an entire allocation block, that whole block is not stored on disk at all. Files where one or more blocks are omitted in this way are called sparse files. The missing blocks are also known as holes."
That makes possible e.g. to have a 1TB file on a 1GB partition, provided that the file is filled at 99.9% with nulls. Anyway, the image of the partition is initially a sparse file (which means that it takes effectively 0 space on disk, even if it looks like a file that is as big as your whole partition !), and the effective size (i.e. size taken on disk) of the image will grow up as the files are moved into that image (which on the other side will free space on the partition, thus the total space used on the partition is almost constant)...
Similar Threads
-
By evirus in forum General Support
Replies: 1
Last Post: 05-07-2004, 12:39 AM
-
By b0b-0001 in forum Hdd Install / Debian / Apt
Replies: 6
Last Post: 04-07-2004, 05:56 AM
-
By Drewby in forum Hdd Install / Debian / Apt
Replies: 2
Last Post: 11-03-2003, 06:54 PM
-
By WANDr in forum Hardware & Booting
Replies: 1
Last Post: 03-13-2003, 01:51 AM
-
By freyley in forum Hdd Install / Debian / Apt
Replies: 1
Last Post: 01-31-2003, 09:21 AM
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
Apple Macintosh PowerBook 180 Vintage Laptop | Retro Computer
$149.95
Apple Macintosh Performa 466 Vintage Computer | SKU 146754
$149.95
Vintage Apple Lisa Brochure, very nice condition
$50.00
Rare Vintage Miniscribe Apple Macintosh SE / 20 8425SA Head Motor & Guide
$24.99
Vintage Apple M2980 AppleDesign Keyboard - Tested and working - Good condition
$19.75
Vintage A3S2 Apple III Computer With 12 Volt Motherboard 820-0043-00
$450.00
SuperPaint Silicon Beach Software Apple Macintosh Vintage Never Used
$30.00
Vintage Apple Macintosh Keyboard M0110A With Original Cord Untested AS IS
$110.00
Vintage Apple Newton MessagePad 2000 With Original Box and Some Accessories
$199.99
Vintage Apple Macintosh PowerBook G3 M4753 w/ Power Adapter
$149.00