Once i built a oracle enterprise linux virtual machine, using oracle virtual box (opensource destop virtualization software), i wanted to increase capacity by adding a new virtual disk to the configuration. My original configuration was built using only one virtual disk and this was mounted as the / file system. Now i want to add a new file system /u01 on a new virtual disk. Below are the steps i performed to accomplish this.

First create a new virtual disk using virtual box
Applications -> System Tools -> Oracle VM Virtual Box
File -> Virtual Media Manager
You will see the window below

Click on New to create a New disk. The New Disk creation wizard starts up.

Click on Next

Choose Dynamically expanding storage, Click Next

Choose the location and file name for the virtual box, vdi file. I chose the same directory, where my first vdi file was located (/u02/vimage/oel55). Also choose the size of the new disk you need. Click Next.

The Summary Screen displays summary information regarding the new disk you are configuring. click next

Now add the new virtual disk to your operating system image

Applications -> System Tools -> Oracle VM Virtual Box

Click on the image that you want to add the virtual disk to.

On the right hand side click on Storage

Choose the SATA controller and click on the + button to add a new disk

You can edit the new disk it creates by click on the disk Name and editing the disks properties on the right most window. (Use the properties to pick the new disk you created in the previous step, and give it a new name).

Now once you boot up your image you will see a new disk at your operating system level. In my case the original disk i had was /dev/sda. The new disk i added showed up as /dev/sdb. I partitioned the disk, formatted it, mounted it and added an entry to /etc/fstab so that every time i startup the image this file system will be mounted.

fdisk /dev/sdb

mkfs -t ext3 /dev/sdb1

mkdir /u01

Add the following entry into /etc/fstab

/dev/sdb1 /u01 ext3 defaults 0 2

Then run the command “mount” from the prompt and /u01 will be mounted.