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Using GNU parted to create a GPT for a device > 2TB

Howto create a partitioned device on a CentOS v5 VM for a XFS filesystem greater than 2TB in size

Using a MBR (master boot record) style partition table it is not possible to have a partition larger than 2TB. Use a GPT (Guid Partition table) to overcome this limitation.

# parted /dev/xvdc
(parted) mklabel gpt
(parted) mkpart primary xfs 0 ­-0
(parted) quit

And create the XFS filesystem with a label of '/files'.

# mkfs.xfs -L /files /dev/xvdc1

 

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GPT label, parted output (no filesystem)

Once the filesystem was created, the 'File system' column shows XFS.

(parted) print

Model: Xen Virtual Block Device (xvd)
Disk /dev/xvdc: 3588GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt

Number  Start   End     Size    File system  Name     Flags
 1      17.4kB  3588GB  3588GB               primary

MBR partition table fdisk output

Note: The first partition is 2TB in size.

# fdisk /dev/xvdc

Command (m for help): p

Disk /dev/xvdc: 3588.4 GB, 3588491313152 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 436275 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

    Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/xvdc1               1      267349  2147480811   83  Linux

# parted /dev/xvdc
GNU Parted 1.8.1
Using /dev/xvdc
Welcome to GNU Parted! Type 'help' to view a list of commands.
(parted) print

Model: Xen Virtual Block Device (xvd)
Disk /dev/xvdc: 3588GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number  Start   End     Size    Type     File system  Flags
 1      32.3kB  2199GB  2199GB  primary  xfs
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