Command documentation sourced from the linux-command project This comprehensive command reference is part of the linux-command documentation project.

lvresize - Resize logical volume

The lvresize command is a powerful LVM (Logical Volume Manager) utility that allows administrators to resize logical volumes dynamically without requiring system downtime. It provides flexible storage management by enabling both expansion and reduction of logical volumes, supporting various sizing specifications, and offering options for automatic filesystem resizing. This tool is essential for storage administrators who need to adapt storage allocations to changing requirements, optimize disk space utilization, and maintain system availability during storage operations.

Basic Syntax

lvresize [OPTIONS] LogicalVolume[Path] [PhysicalVolumePath...]
lvresize [OPTIONS] -l [+|-]LogicalExtentsNumber LogicalVolume[Path]
lvresize [OPTIONS] -L [+|-]Size[Units] LogicalVolume[Path]

Common Options

Sizing Options

-L, --size Size[Units] - Set or change logical volume size
-l, --extents [+|-]Number[%{VG|PVS|FREE|ORIGIN}] - Set or change number of logical extents
--sizeopt [+|-]Number[%{VG|PVS|FREE|ORIGIN}] - Advanced size options

Resize Type Options

--resizefs - Resize filesystem together with logical volume
--alloc AllocationPolicy - Allocation policy (contiguous, cling, inherit, normal, anywhere)
--type SegmentType - Volume segment type

Reporting Options

-r, --resizefs - Resize underlying filesystem automatically
-n, --nofsck - Don't perform filesystem checks
--noudevsync - Disable udev synchronization

Verification Options

--test - Test run without making changes
-d, --debug - Enable debug output
-v, --verbose - Provide verbose output
-y, --yes - Answer yes to all prompts

Physical Volume Options

--mirrors Mirrors - Specify number of mirrors
--alloc contiguous|cling|inherit|normal|anywhere - Allocation policy
--minor Minor - Set the minor number

Usage Examples

Basic Volume Resizing

Expanding Logical Volumes

# Extend logical volume by 10GB
lvresize -L +10G /dev/vg_name/lv_name

# Extend logical volume to specific size (50GB)
lvresize -L 50G /dev/vg_name/lv_name

# Extend by percentage of volume group (20% of VG)
lvresize -l +20%VG /dev/vg_name/lv_name

# Extend by percentage of free space (50% of free)
lvresize -l +50%FREE /dev/vg_name/lv_name

# Extend by number of logical extents (+100 extents)
lvresize -l +100 /dev/vg_name/lv_name

Reducing Logical Volumes

# Reduce logical volume by 5GB (requires filesystem resize first)
lvresize -L -5G /dev/vg_name/lv_name

# Reduce to specific size (30GB)
lvresize -L 30G /dev/vg_name/lv_name

# Reduce by number of extents (-50 extents)
lvresize -l -50 /dev/vg_name/lv_name

# Reduce by percentage (reduce to 60% of current size)
lvresize -l 60%LV /dev/vg_name/lv_name

Filesystem Integration

Automatic Filesystem Resizing

# Resize volume and filesystem automatically
lvresize -L +10G -r /dev/vg_name/lv_name

# Resize ext4 filesystem and volume together
lvresize -L 20G -r /dev/vg00/root

# Resize XFS filesystem (only expansion supported)
lvresize -L +5G -r /dev/vg01/home

Manual Filesystem Management

# Resize volume first
lvresize -L +10G /dev/vg_name/lv_name

# Then resize filesystem manually
resize2fs /dev/vg_name/lv_name  # For ext2/ext3/ext4
xfs_growfs /mount/point        # For XFS

# For reduction, resize filesystem first
resize2fs /dev/vg_name/lv_name 30G
lvresize -L 30G /dev/vg_name/lv_name

Advanced LVM Operations

Thinly Provisioned Volumes

# Resize thin pool
lvresize -L 100G /dev/vg_name/thinpool

# Resize thin logical volume
lvresize -L +20G /dev/vg_name/thin_volume

# Resize thin pool with automatic metadata resize
lvresize --poolmetadatasize +1G /dev/vg_name/thinpool

Mirrored Volumes

# Resize mirrored volume
lvresize -L +10G --mirrors 1 /dev/vg_name/mirrored_lv

# Resize and maintain mirror consistency
lvresize -L 50G --mirrors 2 /dev/vg_name/highly_available_lv

# Resize with specific allocation policy
lvresize -L +20G --alloc contiguous /dev/vg_name/lv_name

Snapshots

# Resize snapshot volume
lvresize -L +5G /dev/vg_name/snapshot_lv

# Resize snapshot origin volume
lvresize -L +15G /dev/vg_name/origin_lv

Practical Examples

System Administration

Database Storage Management

# Extend Oracle database storage
lvresize -L +100G -r /dev/vg_oracle/data

# Resize MySQL partition with minimal downtime
lvresize -L +50G -r /dev/vg_mysql/mysql_data

# Adjust PostgreSQL tablespace
lvresize -L +75G /dev/vg_pgsql/pg_tablespace
resize2fs /dev/vg_pgsql/pg_tablespace

Virtual Machine Storage

# Extend KVM VM disk
lvresize -L +200G /dev/vg_vms/vm01_disk

# Resize VM disk with automatic filesystem update
lvresize -L 500G -r /dev/vg_vms/vm02_system

# Expand LVM inside guest (prepare for VM operations)
lvresize -L +50G /dev/vg_templates/template_disk

Log and Temporary Storage

# Extend log partition during high activity
lvresize -L +20G -r /dev/vg_system/var_log

# Resize temporary storage for batch processing
lvresize -l +30%FREE /dev/vg_system/tmp

# Adjust backup storage
lvresize -L +500G /dev/vg_backup/backup_storage

Storage Optimization

Space Reclamation

# Reclaim unused space from overprovisioned volume
lvresize -L -100G /dev/vg_data/unused_volume

# Optimize volume group space distribution
lvresize -l 80%VG /dev/vg_data/main_volume

# Balance free space across volumes
lvresize -L +50G /dev/vg_data/vol1
lvresize -L -50G /dev/vg_data/vol2

Performance Optimization

# Create contiguous layout for better performance
lvresize -L +100G --alloc contiguous /dev/vg_db/performance_lv

# Resize with specific segment type
lvresize -L +50G --type striped /dev/vg_app/stripe_volume

# Optimize allocation for SSD storage
lvresize -L +200G --alloc anywhere /dev/vg_ssd/cache_volume

Advanced Usage

Volume Group Management

Using Specific Physical Volumes

# Extend using specific PVs
lvresize -L +50G /dev/vg_data/lv01 /dev/sdb1 /dev/sdc1

# Resize using remaining space on specific PVs
lvresize -l 100%PVS /dev/vg_test/lv_test /dev/sdd1

# Create contiguous allocation across PVs
lvresize -L +100G --alloc contiguous /dev/vg_prod/lv_app /dev/nvme0n1

Multi-Path Storage

# Resize multipath volume
lvresize -L +200G /dev/mapper/vg_data-mpath_lv

# Resize with specific multipath device
lvresize -L +100G /dev/vg_data/mpath_volume /dev/mapper/mpatha

Testing and Verification

Dry Run Operations

# Test resize without making changes
lvresize --test -L +50G /dev/vg_data/lv_test

# Verify size calculations
lvresize --test -l +20%VG /dev/vg_system/root

# Check allocation feasibility
lvresize --test --alloc contiguous -L +10G /dev/vg_app/performance_lv

Validation and Safety Checks

# Run with verbose output for monitoring
lvresize -v -L +25G /dev/vg_data/lv_extended

# Perform resize with confirmation prompts (default behavior)
lvresize -L +10G /dev/vg_prod/database_lv

# Enable debug output for troubleshooting
lvresize -d -l +100 /dev/vg_test/test_volume

Recovery and Maintenance

Emergency Resizing

# Emergency volume extension with minimal options
lvresize -f -L +1G /dev/vg_emergency/critical_volume

# Quick resize during system maintenance window
lvresize -y -r -L +50G /dev/vg_maintenance/maintenance_volume

# Resize with udev synchronization disabled (rare cases)
lvresize --noudevsync -L +10G /dev/vg_special/special_case

Maintenance Mode Operations

# Resize volumes in maintenance mode
lvresize --monitor y -L +100G /dev/vg_maintenance/backup_target

# Batch resize multiple volumes
for lv in /dev/vg_batch/*; do
    lvresize -L +20G -r "$lv"
done

Integration and Automation

Shell Scripting

Automated Storage Management

#!/bin/bash
# Automatic volume resizing based on thresholds

LV_PATH="/dev/vg_data/application_lv"
THRESHOLD=85  # Usage percentage
INCREMENT="10G"

# Check current usage
USAGE=$(df -h "$LV_PATH" | awk 'NR==2 {print $5}' | sed 's/%//')

if [ "$USAGE" -gt "$THRESHOLD" ]; then
    echo "Usage at ${USAGE}%, extending by ${INCREMENT}"
    lvresize -L "+$INCREMENT" -r "$LV_PATH"
    echo "Volume resize completed"
else
    echo "Usage at ${USAGE}%, no resize needed"
fi

Volume Group Balancing Script

#!/bin/bash
# Balance free space across volumes in a volume group

VG_NAME="vg_data"
MIN_FREE="10G"  # Minimum free space per volume

# Get list of logical volumes
lvs --noheadings -o lv_name "$VG_NAME" | while read -r lv_name; do
    lv_path="/dev/$VG_NAME/$lv_name"
    free_space=$(vgs --noheadings --units g -o vg_free "$VG_NAME" | tr -d ' g')

    if (( $(echo "$free_space > 10" | bc -l) )); then
        echo "Extending $lv_name by ${MIN_FREE}"
        lvresize -L "+$MIN_FREE" -r "$lv_path"
    fi
done

Monitoring Integration

#!/bin/bash
# Monitor and resize based on application requirements

APP_MOUNT="/app/data"
LV_PATH="/dev/vg_app/app_data"
MAX_SIZE="500G"
INCREMENT="50G"

while true; do
    # Get current volume size
    current_size=$(lvs --noheadings --units g -o lv_size "$LV_PATH" | tr -d ' g')

    # Check if application needs more space
    app_space_needed=$(du -s "$APP_MOUNT" | awk '{print $1}')
    app_space_gb=$((app_space_needed / 1024 / 1024))
    usage_percent=$((app_space_gb * 100 / current_size))

    if [ "$usage_percent" -gt 80 ] && [ "$current_size" -lt 500 ]; then
        echo "Application at ${usage_percent}% usage, extending volume"
        lvresize -L "+$INCREMENT" -r "$LV_PATH"
    fi

    sleep 300  # Check every 5 minutes
done

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Insufficient Space

# Check available space in volume group
vgs vg_name

# Check physical volume usage
pvs

# Find volumes that can be reduced
lvs --noheadings -o lv_name,lv_size,vg_name

# Extend volume group if needed
vgextend vg_name /dev/new_device

Filesystem Resize Failures

# Check filesystem type
blkid /dev/vg_name/lv_name

# Run filesystem check before resize
fsck -f /dev/vg_name/lv_name

# Mount status check
mount | grep /dev/vg_name/lv_name

# For XFS: check if mounted (XFS can only expand when mounted)
xfs_info /mount/point

# For ext4: check if unmounted for reduction
umount /dev/vg_name/lv_name
resize2fs /dev/vg_name/lv_name new_size
lvresize -L new_size /dev/vg_name/lv_name
mount /dev/vg_name/lv_name /mount/point

Lock and Permission Issues

# Check for active processes using the volume
lsof /dev/vg_name/lv_name
fuser -mv /dev/vg_name/lv_name

# Check LVM locks
lvdisplay -a | grep "LV Status"

# Force resize if necessary (use with caution)
lvresize -f -L +10G /dev/vg_name/lv_name

Volume Group Fragmentation

# Check volume group fragmentation
vgdisplay -v vg_name

# Check allocation policy
lvs -a -o +devices

# Defragment by creating new volume and copying data
lvcreate -L 50G -n temp_lv vg_name
dd if=/dev/vg_data/fragmented_lv of=/dev/vg_data/temp_lv
lvremove -f /dev/vg_data/fragmented_lv
lvrename vg_data temp_lv fragmented_lv

Recovery Procedures

Failed Resize Recovery

# Check volume metadata consistency
vgck vg_name

# Repair volume group metadata
vgcfgrestore vg_name

# Check logical volume consistency
lvconvert --repair /dev/vg_name/damaged_lv

# Restore from backup if necessary
vgcfgrestore -f /etc/lvm/backup/vg_name vg_name

Incomplete Operation Recovery

# Check volume status
lvs -a -o +devices

# Activate volume if inactive
lvchange -ay /dev/vg_name/inactive_lv

# Sync with udev if needed
vgscan --mknodes

# Refresh device mapper
dmsetup mknodes

lvcreate - Create logical volumes
lvextend - Extend logical volumes
lvreduce - Reduce logical volumes
lvremove - Remove logical volumes
lvdisplay - Display logical volume information
lvscan - Scan for logical volumes
vgcreate - Create volume groups
vgextend - Extend volume groups
vgdisplay - Display volume group information
pvcreate - Create physical volumes
pvdisplay - Display physical volume information
resize2fs - Resize ext2/ext3/ext4 filesystems
xfs_growfs - Grow XFS filesystems
fdisk - Partition table manipulator
parted - Partition manipulation utility

Best Practices

Always backup data before reducing logical volumes
Use --test option first to verify resize operations
Check filesystem compatibility - XFS only supports expansion
Monitor disk usage to prevent space exhaustion
Document resize operations for audit and recovery purposes
Schedule maintenance windows for critical storage changes
Test in non-production environments before production deployment
Use -r flag for automatic filesystem resizing when possible
Verify volume group space before extending volumes
Check for fragmentation when performance is critical

Performance Tips

Use contiguous allocation (--alloc contiguous) for better performance
Avoid frequent resizing as it can cause fragmentation
Use appropriate allocation policies based on storage type
Consider SSD-specific settings for SSD-based storage
Monitor I/O during resize operations on production systems
Use striped volumes for high-performance requirements
Resize during low-usage periods to minimize impact
Batch multiple resize operations when possible
Use appropriate extent sizes when creating volume groups
Plan storage hierarchies to minimize resize needs

The lvresize command is an essential tool for dynamic storage management in Linux environments. Its ability to resize logical volumes without downtime makes it invaluable for maintaining system availability while adapting to changing storage requirements. When used properly with proper planning and backup strategies, it provides flexible and efficient storage management capabilities for enterprise environments.

Basic Syntax​

Common Options​

Sizing Options​

Resize Type Options​

Reporting Options​

Verification Options​

Physical Volume Options​

Usage Examples​

Basic Volume Resizing​

Expanding Logical Volumes​

Reducing Logical Volumes​

Filesystem Integration​

Automatic Filesystem Resizing​

Manual Filesystem Management​

Advanced LVM Operations​

Thinly Provisioned Volumes​

Mirrored Volumes​

Snapshots​

Practical Examples​

System Administration​

Database Storage Management​

Virtual Machine Storage​

Log and Temporary Storage​

Storage Optimization​

Space Reclamation​

Performance Optimization​

Advanced Usage​

Volume Group Management​

Using Specific Physical Volumes​

Multi-Path Storage​

Testing and Verification​

Dry Run Operations​

Validation and Safety Checks​

Recovery and Maintenance​

Emergency Resizing​

Maintenance Mode Operations​

Integration and Automation​

Shell Scripting​

Automated Storage Management​

Volume Group Balancing Script​

Monitoring Integration​

Troubleshooting​

Common Issues​

Insufficient Space​

Filesystem Resize Failures​

Lock and Permission Issues​

Volume Group Fragmentation​

Recovery Procedures​

Failed Resize Recovery​

Incomplete Operation Recovery​

Related Commands​

Best Practices​

Performance Tips​