How to convert an ext3 or ext4 filesystem to a GFS or GFS2 volume?

Solution Verified - Updated -

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 (with the Resilient Storage Add On)
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 (with the Resilient Storage Add On)
  • Global Filesystem or Global Filesystem 2 (GFS/GFS2)
  • EXT3/EXT4 Filesystem

Issue

  • Is it possible to convert an ext3/ext4 filesystem to GFS/GFS2 or convert an existing GFS2 filesystem to ext3/ext4? If so, what are the steps involved?

Resolution

  • Red Hat does not ship or support any tool or command line options to convert an ext3 or ext4 filesystem and a GFS or GFS2 volume.

  • The recommended way to replace an ext3 or ext4 filesystem with GFS, is to create the new GFS volume and copy the data to it.

  • If the same physical device has to be used, do the following in accordance with the GFS2 filesystem requirement:

    • Back up the ext3/ext4 filesystem data to another location.
    • Create the new GFS/GFS2 volume on the device.
    • Restore the data from the backup to the new GFS/GFS2 volume.

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