58
Appendix C. An Introduction to Disk Partitions
DOS
Linux native
DOS
Figure C-8. Disk Drive with Unpartitioned Free Space
In Figure C-8,
1
represents an undefined partition with unallocated space and
2
represents a defined
partition with allocated space.
If you think about it, an unused hard disk also falls into this category. The only difference is that
all
the space is not part of any defined partition.
Next, we will discuss a slightly more common situation.
C.1.4.2. Using Space from an Unused Partition
In this case, maybe you have one or more partitions that you do not use any longer. Perhaps you have
dabbled with another operating system in the past, and the partition(s) you dedicated to it never seem
to be used anymore. Figure C-9, illustrates such a situation.
Linux native
DOS
DOS
DOS
CP/M
DOS
Figure C-9. Disk Drive With an Unused Partition
In Figure C-9,
1
represents an unused partition and
2
represents reallocating an unused partition for
Linux.
If you find yourself in this situation, you can use the space allocated to the unused partition. You first
must delete the partition and then create the appropriate Linux partition(s) in its place. You can create
partitions manually during the installation process and delete the partition before creating a new one.
C.1.5. Partition Naming Scheme
Linux refers to disk partitions using a combination of letters and numbers which may be confusing,
particularly if you are used to the "C drive" way of referring to hard disks and their partitions. In the
DOS/Windows world, partitions are named using the following method:
•
Each partition’s type is checked to determine if it can be read by DOS/Windows.
•
If the partition’s type is compatible, it is assigned a "drive letter." The drive letters start with a "C"
and move on to the following letters, depending on the number of partitions to be labeled.
•
The drive letter can then be used to refer to that partition as well as the file system contained on that
partition.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux uses a naming scheme that is more flexible and conveys more information
than the approach used by other operating systems. The naming scheme is file-based, with file names
in the form of
/dev/
xxyN
.
Here is how to decipher the partition naming scheme:
Содержание ENTERPRISE LINUX 3 - FOR IBM ESERVER ISERIES AND IBM ESERVER PSERIES
Страница 14: ...6 Chapter 1 Steps to Get You Started ...
Страница 52: ...44 Chapter 2 Installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux ...
Страница 54: ...46 Appendix A Red Hat Linux to Red Hat Enterprise Linux Migration Solution ...
Страница 74: ...66 Appendix E Additional Boot Options ...
Страница 78: ......
Страница 80: ...72 ...
