---
name: "thin_dump"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "thin-provisioning-tools"
version: "1.3.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/thin_dump"
---

# thin\_dump(8)

dump thin provisioning metadata from device or file to standard output.

## NAME

**thin\_dump** - dump thin provisioning metadata from device or file to standard output.

## SYNOPSIS

```
thin_dump [options] {device|file}
```

## DESCRIPTION

**thin\_dump dumps binary thin provisioning metadata (optionally from alternate** **block; see option --metadata-snap) created by the** **device-mapper thin provisioning target on a device or file to standard** **output for analysis or postprocessing in either XML or human readable format.** **XML formatted metadata can be fed into thin\_restore (see [thin\_restore(8)](/thin_restore/8.md))** **in order to put it back onto a metadata device (to process by the** **device-mapper target) or file.**

**This tool cannot be run on live metadata unless the --metadata-snap** **option is used.**

## OPTIONS

- **-h, --help**

  **Print help and exit.**

- **-V, --version**

  **Print version information and exit.**

- **-f, --format {xml\|human\_readable}**

  **Choose output format.**

- **-r, --repair**

  **Repair the metadata whilst dumping it.**

- **-m, --metadata-snap\[=\<block nr\>\]**

  **Dump metadata snapshot.**

```
    If block is not provided, access the default metadata snapshot created by
    the thin provisioning device-mapper target, else try the one at block nr.
    See the thin provisioning target documentation on how to create or release
    a metadata snapshot and retrieve the block number from the kernel.
```

- **--dev-id {natural}**

  **Dump the specified device.**

```
    This option may be specified multiple times to select more than one thin
    device.
```

- **--transaction-id {natural}**

  **Override the transaction id given in the input xml.**

- **--data-block-size {sectors}**

  **Override the data block size given in the input xml.**

- **--nr-data-blocks {natural}**

  **Override the nr data blocks given in the input xml.**

- **--skip-mappings**

  **Do not dump the mappings.**

- **-o {xml file}**

  **Specify a file for the output rather than writing to stdout.**

## EXAMPLES

**Dumps the thin provisioning metadata on logical volume /dev/vg/metadata to** **standard output in human readable format:**

```
    $ thin_dump -f human_readable /dev/vg/metadata
```

**Dumps the thin provisioning metadata on logical volume /dev/vg/metadata to** **standard output in XML format:**

```
    $ thin_dump /dev/vg/metadata
```

**Dumps the thin provisioning metadata snapshot on logical volume /dev/vg/metadata** **to standard output in human readable format (not processable by [thin\_restore(8)](/thin_restore/8.md)):**

```
    $ thin_dump --format human_readable --metadata-snap /dev/vg/metadata
```

## DIAGNOSTICS

**thin\_dump returns an exit code of 0 for success or 1 for error.**

## SEE ALSO

**[thin\_check(8)](/thin_check/8.md), [thin\_repair(8)](/thin_repair/8.md), [thin\_restore(8)](/thin_restore/8.md), [thin\_rmap(8)](/thin_rmap/8.md), [thin\_metadata\_size(8)](/thin_metadata_size/8.md)**

## AUTHOR

**Joe Thornber \<ejt@redhat.com\>, Heinz Mauelshagen \<HeinzM@RedHat.com\>**