[svlug] question re partitioning system

[Darlene Wallach]

Thank you.

Darlene
wallachd at earthlink.net

Rafael wrote:

> On Mon, Jan 28, 2002 at 10:19:40AM -0800, Darlene Wallach wrote:
> 
>>Rafael,
>>
>>Thank you for such complete info.
>>
>>Are you suggesting that I choose ext2 over ext3?
>>
> 
> No, it's better to use ext3 in most cases unless there is some performance 
> issue which I'm not clear about.
> 
> 
>>What are the differences between GRUB and LILO? Are there advantages of
>>one over the other?
>>
> 
> The same functions, except that Grub, in my experience, is more flexible. 
> If you misconfigured something you can fix it at it's prompt, you can 
> load whatever kernel that's not listed on the menu etc. I'm still learning 
> about it. As always, read manual pages, HOW-TOs, or FAQs.
> 
> 
>>I should be able to use the upgrade option as opposed to new installation?
>>
> 
> I strongly suggest to install from scratch since you need to repartition
> anyway. Use single partition, as suggested elsewhere, only if you want
> your "login" to look like:
> 
> c:
> 
> ;-)
> 
> 
>>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,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>