Linux, like other operating systems, has a 2.2 TB limitation in the Master Boot Record (MBR). Partitions greater than 2.2 TB will need to use the GUID Partition Table (GPT) structure.
UEFI systems using GPT partitions is supported by newest 64-bit distributions.
Linux kernel version v2.6.35 or newer is known to support >2 TiB disk drives.
Legacy BIOS systems using GPT partitions with a hybrid protective MBR are supported by some Linux distributions. Syslinux v4 adds booting from GPT.
Ubuntu 10.04 (64-bit, code name Lucid Lynx) is reported using a single 3 TB data drive.
Check for newer versions of GRUB2, GNU Parted, GNOME Partition Editor (GParted), gdisk and gfdisk which have GPT partitioning support.
Here is a comprehensive GPT fdisk Tutorial
Other related categories of storage with possible 2.2 TB limitations:
- Some tools like LILO, GRUB Legacy and fdisk are limited to MBR partitions
- Software based full disk encryption tools
NOTE: Product support for disk drives greater than 2.2 TB is rapidly evolving. Please contact your suppliers directly for the latest status and capacity support limitations of their products. If you find that any part of this information is out of date or lacking, please let us know so that we may correct it and better serve future readers.
Seagate does not provide technical support for Linux/Unix operating systems. For more information see Seagate Products - Linux and Unix Support.
