Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for manipulating data in segmented environments such as an instance of a NetWare file system. Unlike the conventional approach that relies on FDISK and the install.nlm and nwconfig.nlm utilities in NetWare, the invention does not destroy user data on the disk after the data is copied to tape or other intermediate storage. Segment-related features such as limits on the number of segments; various configurations of segments, volumes and partitions among drives; and data mirroring, are handled by the invention during “in place” manipulations. Segments, volumes, partitions, and segment clusters or blocks may each be resized. Segments may be merged. Volumes may be consolidated on a single drive. Other manipulations and various combinations of manipulations are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for merging computer disk partitions to reduce the number of partitions. Unlike conventional approaches that rely on FDISK, the invention does not destroy user data on the disk during or after the two or more partitions are merged. Two or more adjoining partitions may be combined. During a merging operation, partitions may have their clusters aligned or resized. The merging partitions may also have their partition type changed. During the merge at least one copy of all system and user data of all partitions is kept on a disk at all times, reducing the risk of data loss.