truncating root directory of a file system

[ecl at mtgzy.UUCP]

In article <511 at cdx39.UUCP>, jc at cdx39.UUCP (John Chambers) writes:
> Hey, here's a good puzzle for a Unix file-system wizard.
> You know how some directories (like /usr/spool/uucp) can
> get really huge... The usual solution is to rebuild
> the directory - you rename it, create a new one in its
> place, and moving the contents from the old one to the new.
> 
> Well, there's a case where this doesn't work too well. 
> This is the root directory of a file system.

How about:
	1) Unmount all file systems.
	2) Make another copy of root on some spare slice (volcopy).
	3) Boot off the spare slice.
	4) Mount the old root as /mnt.
	5) Cpio /mnt to a directory Nmnt (you may need another spare slice).
	6) rm -fr /mnt and cpio Nmnt back to /mnt.
	7) Unmount /mnt.
	8) Reboot off the original slice.

If slices are tight, you could probably do #5 and #6 using tape.

(This sounds like it should work, but I make no promises.)

					Evelyn C. Leeper
					(201) 957-2070
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