Question : Can't resize /var ?

We are running RedHat Enterprise Linux ES on a single IDE HDD.  When trying to resize the /var partition using a partition manager utility (Acronis PartitionExpert) we get the message:

"Acronis PartitionExpert was not able to increase the free space on the selected partition.  The current size of the selected partition is the maximum possible."

We are able to reallocate other partitions (like /usr and /home).  Why would this particular partition present a problem, and how do we get around it?

Don't know if it helps or not, but the disk layout follows:

Filesystem           1k-blocks      Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/hde5               381139    310703     50758  86% /
/dev/hde1                46636      8916     35312  21% /boot
/dev/hde3              2316536     59848   2139012   3% /home
none                     63068         0     63068   0% /dev/shm
/dev/hde2              6348824   1066444   4959876  18% /usr
/dev/hde6               256667     92833    150582  39% /var

Thanks, in advance,
Russ

Answer : Can't resize /var ?

PartitionExpert can't extend /var (or / for that matter) because they are logical partitions within an extended partition. To extend either of those you'd first have to extend the extended partition that contains them. Other partition managers might be able to do this.

I've see decidely mixed results when using a partition manager to futz with a Linux system. Sometimes it works and sometimes it renders the entire system unusable. I'd highly recommend making sure that you have good backups.

A work-around for a lack of space in /var is to move something line /var/log or /var/spool elsewhere and symlink it back, something like:

# cd /var
# tar cf - spool | (cd /home; tar xvpf)
# rm -r spool
# ln -s /home/spool /var/spool

You need to do this in single user mode.