Ext4 File System Support on openSUSE 11.1 or Older Version

openSUSE 11.2 has ext4 file system support by default but how if we want to make openSUSE 11.1 or an older version (11.0, 10.3) have an ext4 support? I found this problem : unknown filesystem type ‘ext4‘ while trying to mounting openSUSE 11.2 disk on new installation of openSUSE 11.1.

The solution is fairly simple. Ext4 supported on kernel 2.6.28 or later. openSUSE 11.1 came with 2.6.27 and we must upgrading the kernel and then restarting openSUSE with new kernel.

Upgrading kernel on openSUSE is not too complicated if we do not need any specific requirement. Follow the instruction as below to updating your openSUSE 11.1 or prior version kernel to activating ext4 support:

  1. Open openSUSE Build Service
  2. Select the proper openSUSE version
  3. Type : kernel-default (or any kernel you would like to install) on the search box
  4. Click on Search button
  5. Pick the kernel version 2.6.28 or above version and install it with “One Click Install” feature. openSUSE will automatically updating your grub and bootloader
  6. Restart your openSUSE and login with new kernel (see your grub message to make sure that the selected kernel has installed successfully)

Note : Tested on openSUSE 11.1 64 bit with new kernel version 2.6.32.

Related Entries

7 Responses for “Ext4 File System Support on openSUSE 11.1 or Older Version”

  1. Lazy_Kent says:

    You don’t need to upgrade kernel. Use ext4dev filesystem.
    http://www.ngohq.com/operating-systems/15197-opensuse-11-1-and-ext4.html

    Tested on openSUSE 11.1 32 bit with kernel 2.6.27.42-0.1-default.

  2. Masim "Vavai" Sugianto says:

    @Lazy_Kent,

    Thank you for reference link. The ref link also covering how to convert ext3 to ext4 on openSUSE 11.1

  3. Marcus M says:

    Or install the “extra” kernel flavour, like kernel-default-extra, which contains the ext4 filesystem …

  4. [...] Read more: Ext4 File System Support on openSUSE 11.1 or Older Version … [...]

  5. boo says:

    If you can pick a precompiled one from OBS, why bother with compiling yourself.

  6. [...] • Ext4 File System Support on openSUSE 11.1 or Older Version [...]

Leave a Reply

About Vavai

Masim Vavai Sugianto Masim Vavai Sugianto, Indonesian, male, 32 years old, born and live in Bekasi-West Java, a small town near Jakarta – main city of Indonesia – since 17 May 1976. Founder of Indonesian openSUSE and Zimbra Community, an adventure, travelling and book lover.



I live in a tropical country, Indonesia that only has two seasons, dry season and rainy season. I love the dry season with bright sunshine and rare rain…There is a joke about the seasons in Indonesia. Indonesia is known as a country with so many season, ie : durian season, mango season, married season and much more...



ContactI'm currently working as an IT support for a small company based on Jakarta. My career has led me to specialize in Sysadmin, networking and software implementation with current focus on Linux and open source area. I have experience on MRP, ERP, Gemba Kaizen, Just in Time, Six Sigma and TQC/TQM. Please use my contact page if you wish to contact me.
Log in - BlogNews Theme by Gabfire themes