Dealing With ‘invalid Cross-Device Link’ Error In Unix/Linux
When trying to access a file or directory on a Unix/Linux system, you may encounter the “invalid cross-device link” error. This happens when a hard link is created across different file systems. A hard link is a reference to an existing file, which allows multiple names to refer to the same file on the disk.
What Causes the Error?
A hard link can only be created within the same file system. If you try to create a hard link to a file that is on a different file system, the system will return the “invalid cross-device link” error.
Resolving the Error
There are a few ways to resolve the “invalid cross-device link” error:
-
Using Symbolic Links:
Instead of using a hard link, create a symbolic link instead. Unlike hard links, symbolic links can be created across file systems. To create a symbolic link, use the
ln -scommand followed by the source and destination path:ln -s /path/to/source /path/to/destination -
Using File Copying:
You can copy the file from one file system to another instead of using a hard or symbolic link. This ensures that the file is physically located on the same file system as the destination path. Use the
cpcommand to copy the file:cp /path/to/source /path/to/destination -
Avoiding Hard Links Across Devices:
As a general rule of thumb, avoid creating hard links across different file systems or devices. This can lead to errors and unexpected behavior. Only create hard links within the same file system.
Additional Tips
- Make sure that both the source and destination file systems are mounted before creating a hard link.
- Check the file system types of both files using the
dfcommand. Ensure that they are on the same file system type. - If you encounter the error even after following the above steps, try unmounting and remounting the affected file systems.
The explanation in this post is soo good that i can deal with this situation by my self now without any hurdle, marvelous post keep it up!!!
The article is ok but it could have been better, much better. Poor choice of words and too formal for nothing.
I would also add that this type of errors can also be caused By a recent update of your operative system, but unfortunately this type of failures can’t be solved on the operative system level, some times i had to format my pc because of them
Nice guide but the thing is that this is not the only problem, i mean, this kind of failures has a lot of faces and it is not a good strategy try to fix them all using just one fix, so my recommendation is that you try to guess what is causing the failure and then try to determine a solution for it
Oh, and what about people who use a virtual machine, i mean, do they gonna have to redo all their guest operative systems? What a fail…
Did you ever thought about writing a book? Come on, you are a natural at this, this is the best explanation that i have ever read regarding this issue
Honestly, this type of situations are so frustating, i mean, all you want is to do your job and then this happens, i think that it would be a great adition if the operative system developers actually try to do something against this kind of stupid issues
I don’t know if i didn’t understand it or the author didn’t actually wrote the information about how to do it on a virtual machine 🙁