What are common pitfalls with disk partitioning (fdisk, parted)?

Disk partitioning is a critical task for system administrators, but it can come with common pitfalls that can lead to data loss or system instability. Understanding these pitfalls can save time and resources.

Common Pitfalls with Disk Partitioning

• Data Loss: Accidentally deleting a partition without backing up important data.
• Incorrect File System: Choosing an unsuitable file system type for the intended use, such as using NTFS on Linux.
• Partition Size: Improperly sizing partitions leading to space shortages or wasted disk space.
• Mount Points: Forgetting to set proper mount points can result in inaccessible data.
• Backup: Failing to backup data before making changes to partitions.
• Overlapping Partitions: Creating partitions that overlap can cause data corruption.
• Using Wrong Tools: Using inappropriate tools without understanding the implications or commands.

Example of Using fdisk

        # To start fdisk on a specific disk
        sudo fdisk /dev/sda
        
        # To create a new partition
        n  # new partition
        p  # primary partition
        1  # partition number
        # Enter first and last sector, or defaults
        
        # To write the changes and exit
        w  # write changes