Ubuntu Server 2TB Hard Drive Partition and Format Guide

Fact : I got a newly installed 2TB hard drive on an Ubuntu server.
Problem : Needs to be partition and formated.
Hypothese : Using the buildin command like fdisk and mkfs, will be set up with a single partition formatted as ext4.

Prerequisites

A 2TB hard drive installed on the Ubuntu server. Administrative (root) access or sudo privileges.

Open a terminal or SSH in your device.
Run the following command to list all disk devices:
```
lsblk
```
Identify the new 2TB drive (e.g., /dev/sdb). It will typically show as unmounted with no partitions or look for the right size. Note the device name (e.g., /dev/sdb).

Caution: Double-check the device name to avoid accidentally modifying the wrong drive.

Start the fdisk utility for the new drive (replace /dev/sdb with your drive’s device name):
```
sudo fdisk /dev/sdb
```
At the fdisk prompt, type the following commands:
- g to create a new GPT partition table (suitable for 2TB drives).
- n to create a new partition.
  - Press Enter to accept the default partition number (1).
  - Press Enter to accept the default first sector.
  - Press Enter to accept the default last sector (uses the entire drive).
- w to write the changes and exit. (It might say : The partition table has been altered)
Verify the new partition:
```
lsblk
```
You should see a new partition (e.g., /dev/sdb1).

Format the new partition as ext4 (replace /dev/sdb1 with your partition’s name):
```
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1
```
Wait for the formatting to complete (this may take a few minutes).

Create a mount point (e.g., /mnt/newdrive):
```
sudo mkdir /mnt/newdrive
```
Mount the formatted partition:
```
sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/newdrive
```
Verify the drive is mounted:
```
df -h
```
You should see the new drive listed with its mount point.

To ensure the drive mounts automatically on boot:

Find the UUID of the new partition:
```
sudo blkid /dev/sdb1
```
Note the UUID for /dev/sdb1 (e.g., 1234-5678-9012-3456).
Edit the /etc/fstab file:
```
sudo nano /etc/fstab
```
Add the following line at the end of the file (replace UUID with your partition’s UUID):
```
/dev/disk/by-uuid/1234-5678-9012-3456 /mnt/newdrive ext4 defaults 0 2
```
Save and exit (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X).
Test the fstab configuration:
```
sudo mount -a
```
If no errors appear, the configuration is correct.

To allow a specific user or group to access the drive:

Change ownership (replace username with the desired user):
```
sudo chown -R username:username /mnt/newdrive
```
Adjust permissions as needed:
```
sudo chmod -R 755 /mnt/newdrive
```

Check the drive’s status:
```
lsblk
df -h
```
Ensure you can read/write to the mount point:
```
touch /mnt/newdrive/testfile
ls /mnt/newdrive
```