[parted-devel] GPT-MBR hybrid

[H. Peter Anvin]

Matt Davis wrote:
> On Sun, Dec 23, 2007 at 02:27:57PM -0800, H. Peter Anvin wrote:
>> Matt Davis wrote:
>>> On Sat, Dec 22, 2007 at 10:16:21PM -0800, H. Peter Anvin wrote:
>>>> Is there any sane way to support GPT-MBR hybrid partitioning in parted? 
>>>>  This is required for booting on BIOS-based machines (the standard MBR 
>>>> handover protocol doesn't really work for GPT), but GPT is needed to 
>>>> support > 2 TB.
>>>>
>>>> At least /boot should be in the MBR; some "other OSes" may need their 
>>>> boot partition MBR-side as well.
>>> hpa,
>>> While I do not have an answer for you, I have been working, in my free 
>>> time, to
>>> try to allow Parted to convert from one partition table type to another, 
>>> such as
>>> gpt to mbr, or vice versa.
>>>
>> Well, the hybrid is really another partitioning scheme, in many ways. 
>> It's a little different than either.
> 
> Yep, I am not familiar with that. However, I did notice the opportunity to keep
> people up-to-date with what is going on regarding similar issue.
> 

The idea with hybrid partition is that you have both a GPT and an MBR. 
The MBR has the boot partition(s), or possibly all partitions below 2 
TB, plus a "protective partition" (type 0xEE); the GPT has the other ones.

	-hpa