[svlug] question re partitioning system

[Darlene Wallach]

Rafael,

Thank you for such complete info.

Are you suggesting that I choose ext2 over ext3?

What are the differences between GRUB and LILO? Are there advantages of
one over the other?

I should be able to use the upgrade option as opposed to new installation?

Thank you,

Darlene
wallachd at earthlink.net

Rafael wrote:

> On Sun, Jan 27, 2002 at 11:14:06PM -0800, Darlene Wallach wrote:
> 
>>I'm getting ready to install RedHat 7.2 on my system. I purchased my
>>computer from VA Linux Systems. It came with their modifications to
>>RedHat 6.2. It came with a 30 gig hard drive.
>>
>>Since I'm upgrading to 7.2 I thought I should take the opportunity
>>to repartition my system. It is currently laid out:
>>
>>$ df -k
>>Filesystem           1k-blocks      Used Available Use% Mounted on
>>/dev/hda3              1517952   1336364    104476  93% /
>>/dev/hda1                23990      3475     19311  15% /boot
>>/dev/hda4             27432860   4409404  23023456  16% /home
>>
>>
> 
> My recommendation:
> /	150 MB
> /usr	2-4.5 GB [1]
> swap	RAM x 2, 1GB max.
> /var	32 - 500 MB [2] 
> /tmp	100 - 350 MB [3]
> /home	the rest
> /opt	[4]
> 
> That partition scheme allows you to upgrade without wiping out /home which
> can also be used for backing up /etc and /var/log if important to keep. I
> reinstalled Linux with different distributions for one department at work
> many times that way.
> 
> [1] Upper limits for developers with lots of libraries, compilers, 
> developemnt tools, etc.
> 
> [2] depending on what the system will be doing. Website or system that
> keeps large logs, spool (email, printing) needs close to 1GB in some cases
> Some distributions keep large cache of packages under /var so it's size
> depends on that. I would probably make an exception and create a link to
> /home/???, since home is the rest of the disk space. Packages can be
> erased if more space is needed.
> 
> [3] separate /tmp is also good to have. Some programs do not release all 
> disk space back to /tmp after exiting. I'm not sure what the reason but 
> RH7.1 reported out of disk space in /tmp while df showed 60% free space.
> 
> [4] /opt is sometimes needed for some software. You can make it a separate 
> partition, however, I normaly make a link from /opt to /usr/local/opt for 
> simplicity.
> 
> Separate /boot partition does no good these days since Grub, a default 
> Redhat kernel loader takes care of boot beyond cylinder 1024 in case you 
> have multiple OSes or versions of it.
> 
> Those are my suggestions based on experience with numerous 
> reinstallations, your situation is most likely different.
> 
> Make sure you create boot floppy disk or you'll have problems upgrading
> the kernel if your system has Adaptec SCSI controller and it won't boot.  
> Also, keep original CDROM from VA linux for emergencies. There is a reason
> for their version of RedHat linux 7.0.1.
> 
> That brings me to one of the reasons for VALinux downfall, they were
> messing with hardware things they should never do. Another words, they
> wasted engineering resources with "reinventing the wheel" instead of
> coming out with truly different computer designs. For example, special
> disk brackets that do not provide more flexibility or serviceability, or
> you can't buy anywhere else do not impress me.
> 
> 
>>This makes it impossible to install software without installing it under 
>>/home and making symbolic links. What is recommended for partitioning a
>>system on which I will probably install other software?
>>
>>Is more information about my system needed?
>>
> 
> Perhaps. You are going to have some problems with SCSI and/or ethernet on 
> those motherboards, depending on the model, and possibly with booting 
> from ext3 partition if you choose so.
> 
> I had problems with SCSI and ethernet, depending on the distribution
> version, RH7.1 or 7.2 and kernel on FullOn 2x2 (2U size rack mount model).
> In one case I had to manualy configure ethernet card (in rc script)
> because it wouldn't take that from the default Redhat files. I exchanged
> email with VA support and eventualy got response from Rick Moen, who has
> good knowledge about VA linux systems.
> 
> 
>>Thank you,
>>
>>Darlene Wallach
>>wallachd at earthlink.net
>>
> 
> Good luck,
> 
>