# mkswap > Sets up a Linux swap area on a device or in a file. > More information: . - Setup a given partition as swap area: `sudo mkswap {{/dev/sdb7}}` - Use a given file as swap area: `sudo mkswap {{path/to/file}}` - Check a partition for bad blocks before creating the swap area: `sudo mkswap -c {{/dev/sdb7}}` - Specify a label for the file (to allow `swapon` to use the label): `sudo mkswap -L {{swap1}} {{path/to/file}}`