Chapter 25. An Introduction to Disk Partitions

Chapter 25. An Introduction to Disk Partitions

25.1. Hard Disk Basic Concepts
25.1.1. It is Not What You Write, it is How You Write It
25.1.2. Partitions: Turning One Drive Into Many
25.1.3. Partitions within Partitions — An Overview of Extended Partitions
25.1.4. Making Room For Red Hat Enterprise Linux
25.1.5. Partition Naming Scheme
25.1.6. Disk Partitions and Other Operating Systems
25.1.7. Disk Partitions and Mount Points
25.1.8. How Many Partitions?

Note

This appendix is not necessarily applicable to non-x86-based architectures. However, the general concepts mentioned here may apply.

This appendix is not necessarily applicable to non-x86-based architectures. However, the general concepts mentioned here may apply.

If you are reasonably comfortable with disk partitions, you could skip ahead to Section 25.1.4, “Making Room For Red Hat Enterprise Linux”, for more information on the process of freeing up disk space to prepare for a Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation. This section also discusses the partition naming scheme used by Linux systems, sharing disk space with other operating systems, and related topics.


[11] Blocks really are consistently sized, unlike our illustrations. Keep in mind, also, that an average disk drive contains thousands of blocks. But for the purposes of this discussion, please ignore these minor discrepancies.