[linux-lvm] Mandrake 8.1 and LVM

[Chad C. Walstrom]

On Thu, Nov 29, 2001 at 07:09:20PM -0500, Theo Van Dinter wrote:
> My rule of thumb for disk layout on a server is:
> 	/boot	- Small, usually 32-128MB, don't run out of space here.

Good.

> 	/	- I put /usr in here since there's no reason not to any
> 		  longer.  So this will be any size you think is
> 		  appropriate.	I will usually put anywhere from 4-8GB
> 		  here, depending on disk size.  These files should be
> 		  static-ish, no major changed here.  Don't let it hit 100%.

Reason #1:  Mount /usr as read-only.  There is only one reason why you
should mount /usr read/write: to install software.  Upon completion of
this one task, remount the drive as read-only.  Lock it down with kernel
capabilities tools, and be done with it.  [apt-get has a nice way to
auto-remount the drive in apt.conf(5) when installing/upgrading
software.]

That being said, I suppose there's not a whole lot holding you back from
mounting "/" as read-only, either.  Perhaps /etc/mtab would be an
annoyance, but if you symbolically link it to /proc/mounts, you could
fake it.

Reason #2:  With LVM, you don't have to worry about exceeding the
standard "allowed" harddrive partitions.  So, create logical volumes to
your heart's (*ahem*) extent.  With filesystem and logical volume
resizing, the flexibility and convenience outweight the small
"overhead."

Reason #3: It's just plain strange to have / share space with /usr.

Reason #4: For someone new to Linux, LVM provides you with the
opportunity to correct a mistake without having to reinstall your system
because you'd prefer a different harddrive partition layout.

OK, so that got into some more generic reasons to use LVM rather than to
give guideance on how/what/when/where/why to patition a certain way.
Experiment, have fun.  With LVM, you can afford to play in order to find
that "perfect" balance of partitioning and practicality.

-- 
Chad Walstrom <chewie at wookimus.net>                 | a.k.a. ^chewie
http://www.wookimus.net/                            | s.k.a. gunnarr
Key fingerprint = B4AB D627 9CBD 687E 7A31  1950 0CC7 0B18 206C 5AFD

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