How to extend /boot partition in SafeSquid

[Pratik]

The older version of the SafeSquid ISO installer suggests a default partition layout with /boot partition size of 232 megabytes.
This was sufficient for older versions of the operating system (older than ubuntu 18.04 LTS) however, with newer versions of ubuntu /boot partitions get utilized rather quickly.
Example of an obsolete filesystem structure.

old_fs.JPG (97.76 KiB) Viewed 1490 times

Moreover /boot partition gets populated with old kernel modules and other leftover upgrades.
SafeSquid ISO installs, which are not recent may have issues with /boot partition utilized to 100%

This can prevent system updates and security patches essential for server security.
Example of such an error.

Code: Select all

Preparing to unpack .../06-libcupsimage2_2.2.7-1ubuntu2.9_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking libcupsimage2:amd64 (2.2.7-1ubuntu2.9) over (2.2.7-1ubuntu2.8) ...
Preparing to unpack .../07-libcups2_2.2.7-1ubuntu2.9_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking libcups2:amd64 (2.2.7-1ubuntu2.9) over (2.2.7-1ubuntu2.8) ...
Preparing to unpack .../08-libmagickcore-6.q16-3-extra_8%3a6.9.7.4+dfsg-16ubuntu6.13_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking libmagickcore-6.q16-3-extra:amd64 (8:6.9.7.4+dfsg-16ubuntu6.13) over (8:6.9.7.4+dfsg-16ubuntu6.12) ...
Selecting previously unselected package linux-modules-4.15.0-188-generic.
Preparing to unpack .../09-linux-modules-4.15.0-188-generic_4.15.0-188.199_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linux-modules-4.15.0-188-generic (4.15.0-188.199) ...
dpkg: error processing archive /tmp/apt-dpkg-install-DPzMI2/09-linux-modules-4.15.0-188-generic_4.15.0-188.199_amd64.deb (--unpack):
 cannot copy extracted data for './boot/System.map-4.15.0-188-generic' to '/boot/System.map-4.15.0-188-generic.dpkg-new': failed to write (No space left on device)

Attached is a complete log for detailed analysis.

error.txt

(12.83 KiB) Downloaded 47 times

In a newer version of SafeSquid ISO install, the problem of a smaller boot partition has been resolved.
/boot is configured to have comparatively large disk space.
Example of existing filesystem structure.

new_fs.jpg (91.59 KiB) Viewed 1443 times

Workaround for users with older installs and smaller boot partitions can extend their /boot partition size.
Below is a guide on how to extend your /boot partitions.

How to extend /boot partition for an older version of SafeSquid install
(Note: Test for extending /boot portion was performed on newer SafeSquid install as we do not have SafeSquid with the older install, although execution remains similar.)
Default filesystem for SafeSquid ISO install

unaltered.jpg (86.39 KiB) Viewed 1487 times

Add a new disk with a minimum of 2GB and a maximum of 5GB to your SafeSquid server.
(Note: Adding a new disk will not be covered here, you can find resources online to achieve the same based on your system type)

Validate disk status.

Code: Select all

lsblk

- List all storage devices.
For me, after adding a new storage device, the existing sda storage device is now referred to as sdb and new storage device is referred to as sda

Slide1.JPG (96.57 KiB) Viewed 1509 times

Create a new filesystem of type ext4.
(Note: In this example, the new storage device is referred to as sda and the existing boot partition is referred to as /dev/sdb1.
If you are following this guide please make sure that you have selected the appropriate partitions before performing any given task.)

Code: Select all

 mkfs.ext4 /dev/<sda> 

Slide2.JPG (59.42 KiB) Viewed 1509 times

Create new directory in /usr/local/src/old_boot for mounting old boot partition.

Code: Select all

mkdir -p /usr/local/src/old_boot

Code: Select all

umount /dev/<sdb1> ; mount /dev/sdb1 /usr/local/src/old_boot

Slide3.JPG (33.62 KiB) Viewed 1509 times

Mount new partition to /boot directory

Code: Select all

mount /dev/<sda> /boot

use rsync to copy all files with their permissions from the old boot directory to the new boot directory.

Code: Select all

rsync  -avz /usr/local/src/old_boot /boot

Slide4.JPG (57.81 KiB) Viewed 1509 times

Edit /etc/fstab to modify the UUID of /boot directory.
To get the UUID of your storage device, use the below command.

Code: Select all

 blkid| grep /dev/<sda>| awk '{print $2}' | awk -F = '{print $2}' | awk -F \" '{print $2}'

copy UUID and edit /etc/fstab file.

Slide5.JPG (34.97 KiB) Viewed 1509 times

Code: Select all

vim /etc/fstab

Slide8.JPG (115.14 KiB) Viewed 1502 times

Hit "Esc" and

Code: Select all

:wq!

to save and exit from vim.
restart your server.
Validate if /dev/sda has automounted in /boot directory.

Code: Select all

lsblk

Slide9.JPG (100.35 KiB) Viewed 1509 times

Executing the below command if you have any unattended updates

Code: Select all

apt update && apt upgrade -y

The system should now update without any errors.

Slide1.JPG (54.7 KiB) Viewed 1499 times