How to Resize an LVM Volume in Linux When the Disk Runs Out of Space

✨ Quick Answer

The disk full error (No space left on device) on a Linux server using LVM (Logical Volume Manager) can paralyze databases and services. The advantage of LVM is that it allows hot storage expansion, adding physical space to the logical volume and extending the file system without needing a reboot.

Quick Diagnostics

Cause

Logical Volume (LV) full while Volume Group (VG) has free space

Solution

Extend logical volume: lvextend -l +100%FREE /dev/mapper/ubuntu--vg-ubuntu--lv

Cause

Filesystem not expanded after extending the logical volume

Solution

Resize ext4/xfs filesystem using resize2fs or xfs_growfs

The disk full error (No space left on device) on a Linux server using LVM (Logical Volume Manager) can paralyze databases and services. The advantage of LVM is that it allows hot storage expansion, adding physical space to the logical volume and extending the file system without needing a reboot.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. 1

   Step 1: Identificar el volumen lógico y el espacio disponible

   First, verify which partition is saturated and locate the path of your logical volume:

   BASH Copy

   # Ver el uso de disco de todas las particiones
   df -h
   
   # Listar los volúmenes lógicos activos
   sudo lvdisplay
   

   (Anota la ruta del volumen que quieres extender, por ejemplo /dev/mapper/vg_system-lv_root).

2. 2

   Step 2: Escanear el nuevo almacenamiento físico

   If you have expanded the virtual disk in your hypervisor (Proxmox, VMware, KVM), you must tell the Linux kernel to detect the physical disk size change (for example, /dev/sda):

   BASH Copy

   # Forzar un re-escaneo del bus SCSI para detectar la nueva capacidad
   echo 1 | sudo tee /sys/class/block/sda/device/rescan
   
   # Notificar a LVM que el volumen físico ha cambiado de tamaño
   sudo pvresize /dev/sda
   

3. 3

   Step 3: Extender el volumen lógico y el sistema de archivos

   Once the physical volume recognizes the new space, proceed to expand the logical volume and resize its internal structure in a single step:

   BASH Copy

   # Para sistemas con formato EXT4 (extiende volumen lógico y sistema de archivos simultáneamente)
   sudo lvextend -r -l +100%FREE /dev/mapper/vg_system-lv_root
   
   # Si el sistema de archivos usa XFS, ejecuta la extensión de forma explícita
   sudo lvextend -l +100%FREE /dev/mapper/vg_system-lv_root
   sudo xfs_growfs /