How can I resize an ext root partition at runtime?

Solution 1:

GUI (Ubuntu 14.04 and later): GParted v0.17 and later provide a nice GUI for this. (Older versions will refuse to resize a mounted partition).

Command line (any Ubuntu version): There are three steps to this.

Step 1. The partition must first be resized. If you're using LVM, it's easy, and you presumably know how to proceed. If you're using classic partitions, it's a bit more complicated, and may require a reboot (though you never have to boot another system or live CD).

This is how I do it: Use fdisk to first delete the partition (the idea is that the data on disk will be preserved), then carefully recreate it with a larger size at the same position.

Example:

$ sudo fdisk /dev/sda

Command (m for help): p

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1   *        2048     9437183     4717568   83  Linux

Command (m for help): d
Selected partition 1

Command (m for help): p

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System

Command (m for help): n
Command action
   e   extended
   p   primary partition (1-4)
p
Partition number (1-4, default 1): 1
First sector (2048-10485759, default 2048):
Using default value 2048
Last sector, +sectors or +size{K,M,G} (2048-10485759, default 10485759):
Using default value 10485759

Command (m for help): p

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1            2048    10485759     5241856   83  Linux

Command (m for help): w
The partition table has been altered!

Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.

WARNING: Re-reading the partition table failed with error 16: Device or resource busy.
The kernel still uses the old table. The new table will be used at
the next reboot or after you run partprobe(8) or kpartx(8)
Syncing disks.

Again, it is critical that the new partition starts at the same block as the old. The Id should also match (83 for Linux systems). Be prepared to lose all your data at the slightest typo.

To be on the safe side, you may also restore the boot flag (which according to Wikipedia is still required on some computers) by pressing a.

See the comment section for what to do if your swap partition is in the way.

By now it should be apparent why people recommend using a live CD. ;-)

Step 2. As fdisk helpfully reminds you, you must reload the partition table before proceeding. The safest way is to simply reboot; but you can also use partprobe or kpartx (more information).

Step 3. Once the partition is resized and the partition table reloaded, it's a simple matter of running resize2fs on the file system, and you can do this even when it's mounted as the root partition.

Example:

$ sudo resize2fs /dev/sda1

Solution 2:

It is possible to do a on-line resize of a ext4 filesystem, even if it's your root partition. Use the resize2fs command.

sudo resize2fs /dev/sda1

EDIT: On-line shrinking is not allowed:

root@brunojcm-htpc:/home# resize2fs /dev/sda5 2654693
resize2fs 1.42 (29-Nov-2011)
Filesystem at /dev/sda5 is mounted on /; on-line resizing required
resize2fs: On-line shrinking not supported

Solution 3:

An easier solution - use growpart <device> <partition>:

growpart /dev/xvda 1  # Grows the partition; note the space
resize2fs /dev/xvda1  # Grows the filesystem

As always, back up your partition table (sfdisk -d /dev/xvda > partition_bak.dmp) just in case.

Solution 4:

Yes, you can shrink/move/grow an online root partition without any reboots (nor livecd, nor usbkey): consult this answer. It's very well written and easy to follow, although quite long and a little risky. So if you only want to grow your ext4 partition, you can stick to the conventional working resize2fs solutions.

The general solution I've lnked will work on any type of dedicated or VPS solution for instance.

TLDR; this solution implies to pivot_root to tmpfs so you can umount safely your root partition live and fiddle with it. Once done, you'll pivot_root back on your new root partition.

This allows pretty much any manipulation on the root file system (move it, change filesystem, changing it's physical device...).

No reboot are required in the process, and this allows to bypass limitation of resize2fs not being able to shrink ext4 partitions.

I have personally used this, and it works very well on debian system also, so it should work on Ubuntu. I'm very surprised not to see this in-depth solution a little more linked to the many question in stackexchange web sites that deals with the same issue.

Note: Of course if you want to grow your partition, a simple resize2fs will be enough as stated in numerous places and in other answers here.

Solution 5:

You could also just make use of GParted - as long as the partition you are resizing is not the one you booted from - else I suggest the live CD option is somewhat easier for newbies.

GParted basically does all of the steps - just based on a GUI fronted.