Resize your partition in Qemu without raspi-config

We have seen some time ago how to create an image for Raspberry Pi with Qemu. Personally I use it to be able to make the tests directly in Qemu without monopolizing a Raspberry. But the base image is only 500MB and raspi-config refuses to extend it because it is not an SD card. So how to do that ?

Let's assume that you now have your image up to date and it works correctly in Qemu. We will expand our system in three simple steps

1. Enlarge the image. For this the machine must be stopped. You can then use the command qemu-img as follows :

   qemu-img resize <image_file_name> +4G

   The command will add 4GB to our file. In Qemu, this is visible as follows through fdisk :
   

2. Resize the main partition. You can now restart your emulation. The command I use is always the same :

   qemu-system-arm -kernel kernel-qemu -cpu arm1176 -m 256 -M versatilepb -no-reboot -append "root=/dev/sda2 rw vga=normal console=ttyAMA0,115200" -hda rasp.img -redir tcp:5022::22 -serial stdio

   Once the image is started and that you are connected, use the command fdisk to extend the partition. To do this use the following command :

   fdisk /dev/sda

   Display the partitions using the p command
   
   Note the beginning of the second partition block. My value is 125904
   Delete the second partition with the d command then 2. If you again display the partitions it has disappeared.
   
   Create a new partition with n then p then 2. There fdisk provides a value for the starting block. This must match the value that you have identified earlier. If this is the case leave the box blank. The following value is the end block that is the largest possible to fill all the space
   If you display the information again you will see that your new partition has a end higher so that means that the partition is larger.
   
   Back up the information with w command
   Restart the machine

3. Enlarge the filesystem. Once again connected, your partition is not increasing ! The partition has been resized well but not the filesystem ! And this is our last step. It is very simple :

   resize2fs /dev/root

   And here is the result :
   The partition is now resized from 400MB to 4.3 GB

You the joys of Raspberry Pi with Qemu virtualization !

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