xfs_repair on root filesystem

xfs_repair on root filesystem

[Massimiliano Adamo]

Hi all,

I have seen that it's possible to run xfs_check on filesystems mounted
read-only, but in order to use xfs_repair the filesystem must be
unmounted.
I can't even imagine how to run xfs_repair on root filesystem, without
booting from a live cd.

Do you think it would be possible to implement xfs_repair on 'ro'
filesystem, or on filesytems frozen with xfs_freeze?

The other question would be about the possibility to shrink a XFS
filesystem... but as I can see this is a work already in progress.

cheers
Massimiliano Adamo

Re: xfs_repair on root filesystem

[Eric Sandeen]

Massimiliano Adamo wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> I have seen that it's possible to run xfs_check on filesystems mounted
> read-only, but in order to use xfs_repair the filesystem must be
> unmounted.
> I can't even imagine how to run xfs_repair on root filesystem, without
> booting from a live cd.
> 
> Do you think it would be possible to implement xfs_repair on 'ro'
> filesystem, or on filesytems frozen with xfs_freeze?

Like this, from the xfs_repair manpage? :)

       -d     Repair dangerously.  Allow  xfs_repair
              to  repair  an  XFS filesystem mounted
              read only. This is typically done on a
              root  fileystem from single user mode,
              immediately followed by a reboot.

For an added bonus, you could create a "rescue initrd" which contains
repair.  I always thought this would be a neat trick.

> The other question would be about the possibility to shrink a XFS
> filesystem... but as I can see this is a work already in progress.

It is (slowly) in progress I think, and something of a FAQ by now :)

-Eric

> cheers
> Massimiliano Adamo
> 
>