resize_reiserfs

resize_reiserfs [options] device [new_size]

-f
    Force the resize, even if the filesystem appears to be corrupted.

-d debug_level
    Set the debug level. Higher values produce more verbose output.
0-Fatal, 1-Error, 2-Warning, 3-Message, 4-Info, 5-Debug

-p
    Print only statistics about the reiserfs.

-s new_size
    Specify the new size of the filesystem in kilobytes. If not specified, resize_reiserfs will attempt to resize to the entire device.

-v
    Be verbose.

device
    The device containing the ReiserFS filesystem (e.g., /dev/sda1).

new_size
    Optional: The desired new size of the filesystem in kilobytes. If omitted, the filesystem will be resized to the entire device.

The `resize_reiserfs` command is used to dynamically resize a ReiserFS filesystem. It allows you to either enlarge or shrink the filesystem size. This is often necessary when dealing with storage management, especially when dealing with logical volumes or virtual machines. The command interacts directly with the filesystem metadata to adjust the boundaries of the filesystem without requiring a complete filesystem recreation. This makes the process faster and less disruptive than other methods. However, it's critically important to back up your data before using `resize_reiserfs`, as errors can lead to data loss. The filesystem must be unmounted or mounted read-only prior to resizing. Always verify the integrity of the filesystem using `reiserfsck` before and after resizing.
Note: ReiserFS is considered obsolete; use with caution.

ReiserFS is considered deprecated, and its development has largely ceased. It is strongly recommended to migrate to a more modern filesystem, such as ext4 or XFS. Using `resize_reiserfs` on a damaged or inconsistent filesystem will likely lead to further data loss. Always back up your data before performing any resize operations. The filesystem must be unmounted, or at least mounted read-only before resizing. Resizing the filesystem is a potentially dangerous operation.

The `resize_reiserfs` command returns an exit code of 0 upon successful completion. Non-zero exit codes indicate errors, such as filesystem corruption, invalid parameters, or inability to access the device.

Due to the age and the current status of ReiserFS, operations with it are considered risky. Backups and data integrity checks are strongly encouraged.

ReiserFS was developed by Namesys and led by Hans Reiser as an alternative to ext2/3. It aimed to provide better performance, especially for small files. `resize_reiserfs` was created to facilitate dynamic resizing, a feature not readily available in earlier filesystem implementations. The command saw usage in the early 2000s, but its popularity declined due to various factors, including reliability concerns and the emergence of more robust filesystems like ext4. As of now, the development of ReiserFS has halted, and its usage is discouraged.

reiserfsck(8), mkfs.reiserfs(8), mount(8), umount(8)