Differences between Linux system MBR and GPT partitions

There are two MBR and GPT partitioning mechanisms in Linux systems, of which MBR is used more, but there are restrictions. GPT is a partitioning mechanism that is newer than MBR. This article will introduce the difference between the MBR and GPT partitions of Linux systems.

MBR (Master Boot Record)

master boot record, the partition mechanism is conventional, applicable to the vast majority of PC device using BIOS

MBR Support 32 Bit and 64 bit system.

MBR supports a limited number of partitions.

MBR only supports hard disks up to 2T, and hard drives with more than 2T will only use 2T space (there are third-party solutions).

GPT(GUID Partition Table)

The globally unique partition table is a newer partitioning mechanism that solves many of the shortcomings of MBR.

Support for disks larger than 2T (64-bit addressing space). Fdisk can only create a partition of 2TB in size, and create a partition larger than 2TB to use parted.

Backward compatible with MBR.

Must be used on hardware that supports uEFI (Intel proposed to replace the BIOS).

A 64-bit system must be used.

Mac and Linux systems can support GPT partition format.

Windows 7/8 64bit, Windows Server 2008 64bit supports GPT.

The above is the difference between Linux system MBR and GPT partition. In general, GPT is more advanced than MBR, but MBR compatibility is better than GPT.