How can I modify partition labels on a Linux operating systems? How to change disk name on the ext4 file system on a Ubuntu Linux using command line?
You need to use the e2label command to set a text label to your disk drive partitions and then refer to them in the /etc/fstab file. The e2label command must be run as root user. Normal users can not modify partition label for security reasons.
###Syntax
Use the following syntax to display or change the filesystem label on the ext2, ext3, or ext4 filesystem located on device.
e2label /dev/device
e2label /dev/device new-label-name-here
Label limitations Ext2 filesystem labels can be at most 16 characters long; if new-label-name-here is longer than 16 characters, e2label will truncate it and print a warning message on screen.
View the label of partition To see the label of partition called /dev/sda5, type:
e2label /dev/sda5
Sample outputs:
Modify partition labels / Change disk name To add or change the label of partition /dev/sda1 to "Webserver", enter:
$ sudo e2label /dev/sda1 Webserver
OR
# e2label /dev/sda1 Webserver
To verify new changes, type:
# e2label /dev/sda1
Webserver
Mount file system by label at Linux server boot time
The /dev/sda1 partition can be mounted by label at server boot time at /wwwdata location. Edit the /etc/fstab file, enter:
$ sudo vi /etc/fstab
Set or update it as follows:
LABEL=Webserver /wwwdata ext4 defaults 1 2
Save and close the file. You can also use the mount command as follows:
mount -L label_name_here /path/to/mount/point