mkfsext4

mkfsext4 is a command-line utility used to create an ext4 filesystem on a block device or on a regular file that is used as a filesystem image. It is typically found on Linux systems as part of filesystem creation tools and often serves as a wrapper or alias around the ext4 creation facilities provided by the e2fsprogs package. The tool is conceptually similar to mkfs.ext4 and may be provided by some distributions as an alternate entry point to the same underlying functionality.

When invoked, mkfsext4 initializes the filesystem structures needed for ext4, such as the primary superblock, inodes, and data blocks, on the specified target. As with other disk-writing operations, it will erase existing data on the target device or image, so the command should be used only on unmounted or otherwise unused devices and with care to avoid data loss.

Usage and options are generally similar to other filesystem creation tools. Typical usage is mkfsext4 [options] device. Common options allow setting a filesystem label, choosing block size or features, and configuring inode-related parameters; exact flags depend on the specific build of the utility. For precise syntax, consult the tool’s help output or man page, e.g., mkfsext4 --help.

In most systems, mkfsext4 is either a wrapper around mkfs.ext4 or another entry point to the same implementation. If mkfsext4 is not available, the standard approach is to use mkfs.ext4 from the e2fsprogs package. Before use, ensure the target is not mounted and verify the resulting filesystem with appropriate tools.

See also: mkfs.ext4, e2fsprogs, ext4 filesystem, filesystem creation tools.