pvcreate

Initialize the /dev/sda1 volume for use by LVM

$ pvcreate [/dev/sda1]

$ pvcreate --force [/dev/sda1]

pvcreate [OPTIONS] device [device...]

device
    The block device to be initialized as a physical volume (e.g., /dev/sdb1, /dev/sdc).

-f, --force
    Force creation even if the device contains a filesystem or other data. This is dangerous, use with caution.

-y, --yes
    Answer yes to all prompts.

-h, --help
    Display help text and exit.

-v, --verbose
    Increase verbosity.

--version
    Display version information and exit.

--metadatatype type
    Specify the LVM metadata type.

--dataalignment alignment
    Set the data alignment.

The pvcreate command is a fundamental utility in Linux's Logical Volume Management (LVM) system. It initializes a physical volume (PV) for later use by the LVM. Specifically, it marks a disk partition or entire disk drive as available for inclusion in a Volume Group (VG). Before a disk can be incorporated into an LVM volume group, it *must* be formatted as a physical volume using pvcreate. This process writes specific metadata (LVM header) to the disk, which tells LVM that the disk is available for its purposes. Without this step, LVM will not be able to identify and use the disk.

Typically, one will initialize multiple physical volumes which can then be added to a single volume group. From there Logical Volumes can be defined from a volume group.

Using the -f or --force option can lead to irreversible data loss if the device already contains important data. Always double-check that you are working with the correct device and understand the consequences before using this option.

If pvcreate fails, it usually indicates a problem with the device itself (e.g., read/write errors) or insufficient permissions. Check the system logs for detailed error messages. If a device already contains LVM metadata, you may need to use `pvremove` first.

LVM uses metadata to track the physical volumes, volume groups, and logical volumes. This metadata is stored on the physical volumes themselves. While the standard settings are usually adequate, advanced users may want to explore different metadata types based on their specific needs (e.g., compatibility with older LVM versions).

LVM (Logical Volume Manager) was initially developed to provide more flexible storage management than traditional partitioning. The pvcreate command is one of the core LVM utilities and has been part of LVM since its early days. Its functionality has been enhanced over time, but its basic purpose of initializing physical volumes remains consistent. Earlier versions might have had fewer options related to metadata types, but the core functionality has remained the same.

vgcreate(8), lvcreate(8), pvdisplay(8), vgdisplay(8), lvdisplay(8)