vgck

vgck [OPTION...] [VG...]

-a, --all
    Check all known volume groups on the system.

-A, --autocorrect
    Attempt to automatically correct detected metadata errors. Use with extreme caution, as this can lead to data loss if used improperly.

-l, --long
    Display detailed information about any inconsistencies found, providing more context than the default output.

-s, --summary
    Print only a summary of the check results for each volume group, indicating whether inconsistencies were found.

-v, --verbose
    Provide more detailed output during the check process, showing progress and additional information.

--ignore-errors
    Continue processing even if metadata errors are encountered, rather than stopping on the first error.

vgck is a utility from the LVM (Logical Volume Manager) suite used to check the consistency of LVM metadata for one or more specified volume groups (VGs), or all VGs if none are specified.

It performs various checks on the LVM metadata located on physical volumes (PVs) that constitute the volume group. This command is primarily used for diagnostic purposes, helping administrators identify potential corruption or inconsistencies in the LVM configuration. It reports errors or warnings but does not, by default, attempt to fix them. The output can include details about missing PVs, corrupted metadata, or other structural issues. It's an essential tool for maintaining the integrity of an LVM setup, especially when troubleshooting LVM-related problems or after system crashes.

By default, vgck is a non-destructive command. However, the --autocorrect option can make permanent changes to LVM metadata, which could lead to data loss or further corruption if used improperly or without a clear understanding of the reported issues. It is always highly recommended to back up LVM metadata using vgcfgbackup before attempting any automatic corrections. Running vgck on very large or complex LVM setups can be time-consuming due to the extensive metadata checks.

vgck is an integral part of the LVM2 suite, which is the standard Logical Volume Manager implementation for Linux systems since the early 2000s. LVM provides a layer of abstraction over physical storage devices, allowing for more flexible storage management. vgck evolved as a crucial diagnostic tool within this framework to ensure the integrity and consistency of the metadata that describes the volume groups, logical volumes, and physical volumes. Its development parallels the ongoing enhancements and stability efforts within the broader LVM project, aiming to provide robust storage management capabilities for Linux.

lvm(8), vgscan(8), vgdisplay(8), pvck(8), lvck(8), vgcfgbackup(8)