How to remove a virtual disk from a Linux VM using LVM

---

How to remove a virtual disk from a Linux VM using LVM

Sometimes you might need to remove a physical disk from a Linux VM that uses LVM. The proper way to do this is to cleanly remove it from the OS and LVM before detaching it from the hypervisor. Here’s a quick rundown of the steps (path and device names are an example):

1. Unmount the logical volume (if it’s mounted) Even if you think it’s not mounted, better to check and unmount just in case:

# sudo umount /dev/VolGroup01/LogVol02

2. Deactivate the logical volume

# sudo lvchange -an /dev/VolGroup01/LogVol02

3. Remove the logical volume

# sudo lvremove /dev/VolGroup01/LogVol02

4. Remove the volume group (OPTIONAL: only if VolGroup01 had just that LV)

Check first:

# sudo vgdisplay VolGroup01

If the VG is empty

# sudo vgremove VolGroup01

5. Remove the physical volume

# sudo pvremove /dev/sdb1

6. Double-check it’s no longer used by LVM

# sudo pvs
# sudo vgs
# sudo lvs

7. **Shut down the VM and remove the sdb disk from vSphere, **or other hypervisor

(If you really want to do it live (without powering off), you can try:)

# echo 1 | sudo tee /sys/block/sdX/device/delete