Converting filesystems with Fstransform

Chameleon

Article from Issue 142/2012

Author(s): Tim Schürmann

Fstransform converts a filesystem without formatting the media or deleting any files.

Once you opt for a filesystem, it cannot be changed easily – especially if you already have files on it. Massimiliano Ghilardi changed this with the small Fstransform toolkit [1]: One command is all it takes to change the filesystem.

Filesystems are responsible for how files are stored on hard drives. Unfortunately, a number of them currently are out there vying for that right. On Linux, ext4 is currently popular, with Btrfs waiting in the wings as its replacement. Windows uses NTFS, and its ancestor, FAT32, is particularly prevalent on USB sticks.

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF

Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES

Print Issues

Digital Issues

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Print Subs

Digisubs

TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS

US / Canada

UK / Australia

Related content

Table of Contents: 142

Your virtualization options continue to expand. This month, we look at two popular solutions. First, we show you how to map your virtual disks to optimize your KVM installation. Then, we examine the ins and outs of virtualization with VMware’s free vSphere Hypervisor 5.0.

more »
The ext Filesystem

The extended filesystem has been part of the Linux kernel since 0.96c – a faithful companion of the free operating system. With its developments – or, rather, rebirths – through ext2, ext3, and ext4, it is one of the oldest Linux-specific software projects.

more »
Configuring Filesystems

Although most Linux distributions today have simple-to-use graphical interfaces for setting up and managing filesystems, knowing how to perform those tasks from the command line is a valuable skill. We’ll show you how to configure and manage filesystems with mkfs, df, du, and fsck.

more »
ASK KLAUS!

Klaus Knopper is the creator of Knoppix and co-founder of the LinuxTag expo. He currently works as a teacher, programmer, and consultant. If you have a configuration problem, or if you just want to learn more about how Linux works, send your questions to: klaus@linux-magazine. com

more »
AcetoneISO

Special tools are required to create and process ISO images. AcetoneISO offers this functionality, even making it possible to handle multimedia files.

more »