Linux storage basics: disks, filesystems and mounts

A machine has a new disk, but an application cannot use it as a directory until the storage is prepared and connected to the filesystem. Understanding each layer helps you avoid formatting the wrong device or writing data somewhere temporary.

A disk supplies storage. A partition divides a disk into regions. A filesystem organizes files on storage, and a mount point is the directory where that filesystem becomes accessible. Mounting over a directory can hide its existing contents without deleting them. Practice these steps only with an empty disposable disk.

Try it in a lab

Attach a new disposable virtual disk to a lab machine. Identify it unambiguously, create a test filesystem and mount it in an empty directory. Write a marker file and verify it after unmounting and remounting.

Check your understanding

Record the disk identifier and filesystem type. Explain how a mount survives reboot and what happens if the backing device is absent.

Before you start

Formatting and partitioning destroy data. This exercise requires a newly created empty lab disk, never an existing host or production device.

Read the official guide

Use the project documentation for version-specific commands and prerequisites. Record the versions and results of your own exercise. This page proposes a learning activity; it does not report a Kubedex test.

This is a newly written study reference at an address from the original Kubedex course outline. The original lesson was not recovered. It does not include course enrolment, progress tracking or a certificate.