Zentyal Forum, Linux Small Business Server
Zentyal Server => Installation and Upgrades => Topic started by: mlanner on May 25, 2008, 02:38:04 am
-
Hi,
I'm building an eBox system with RAID1 that will mainly be used a file server. Can anyone suggest a good partitioning scheme for it?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
-
I'm building an eBox system with RAID1 that will mainly be used a file server. Can anyone suggest a good partitioning scheme for it?
For a file server, you will only need a separate partition for /home.
-
Take into account logs are stored in /var partition as well. :)
-
hi! i want to make Ebox and set to PDC whats the proper partition i can make? im use a 120GB?
can you gave by percentage in partitioning.. because if in-case i easy to change the hard disk.. thank you..
-
well, for a start you can set 200MB for the boot partition. And you can put the rest to /. But if you want to be more specified you can create /home separately for ease of backup.
-
Thank you for answer to my question...you mean i create a 200MB for /boot and the rest i set to /. how about the /var and /home.. its that ok to set on this two / and /boot? i hope you gave me a exact partitioning.. THANK YOU..
-
yes, you can just put /boot and /. But it will defeat the purpose of manual partitioning. In case of boot partition corruption, you will be able to save it but when / is corrupted, your /home will be corrupted as well. In other word, try to define a separate partition for /home. Size up what size you will be needed for the files and other stuffs and define /boot. /home and the rest to /
-
Hi haliparotin,
I see alvinquah is giving you some good advice here.
There is no single, universal partitioning model to use. The number and size of partitions really depends on what you want to achieve, and the amount of your data.
It is perfectly possible to put everything (except swap space) under /. If you do not intend to go as far as using LVM on RAID arrays, /boot can also be included under /. As mentioned by alvinquah the main advantage of having multiple partitions is that the data within one may still be accessible in the event of a different one becoming corrupt. This is why it is widely accepted to be good practice to put /home on its own partition even when this means your system will have only three partitions (/, /home, swap).
Partitioning, however, does not provide protection against the failure of a disk. In your original post you mention a 120GB disk. Is this the only disk in your system? If yes, and the disk itself fails it is quite possible that everything it contains may be lost irrespective of the way in which it is partitioned.
-
hi! SamK and alvinquah... THANK YOU for give me an idea and help for what Im doing to may Ebox.. yes SamK i have only 120GB harddisk... i think i need extra hardisk for my /home.. Ok i try what you say, i create 3 partition (/ , /boot and /home)... in-case i have some question Im post again here. THANK YOU...
-
Pls note that using non-Ext3 FS for /home will fail. I have a very bad xperience with attempts to use a JFS that's most suitable for a generic fileserver. After eBox (re)makes some internal changes a /home fails to mount on a next reboot -- just because mounttab contain a stupid mountopts like "quota" and similar trash that JFS can't understand %-)
-
...i think i need extra hardisk for my /home
This is indeed an improvement on a single disk system. However, doing this will give you only a single copy of your data:
- 1 x eBox data (/boot, /) on your first disk
- 1 x user data (/home) on your second disk
In the event of either disk failing the data it contains may be lost. The eBox data may be recreated by reinstalling on a new disk. This cannot be done for your user data; unless you have a backup copy it may be permanently lost.
You might find it helpful to investigate an alternative use for your second disk, as a mirror of your first disk. This configuration is known as RAID1. The tools to do this (mdadm) are contained in the ebox-installer CD-ROM in the same section used to partition a disk. With this system you decide which partitions you want to create but would not dedicate your second disk to /home.
The main benefit of this is that your system will dynamically create a copy of all your data:
- 1 x eBox and user data (/boot, /, /home) on your first disk
- 1 x eBox and user data (/boot, /, /home) on your second disk
In the event of either disk failing the data it contains may be lost but your system will still function using the mirrored copy. Replacing the failed disk will then return you to the position of having two full data sets.
Regular backups should still be made as RAID is not a replacement for a backup system - it is protection against hard disk failure.
...i create 3 partition (/ , /boot and /home)...
When installing Linux the conventional practice is to include a partition to be used as swap space in addition to any other partitions you create. To illustrate this, the majority of Linux installers offer to automatically partition your disk as part of the installation process. Choosing this option will usually create only two partitions (/, and swap). A swap partition of 1GB will be suitable in most cases.
-
hi! VitRom and SamK Big THANK YOU for giving a idea for partitioning. Sir i try your instruction.
1 x eBox data (/boot, /) on your first disk
1 x user data (/home) on your second disk
In Case my first harddisk is fail how can i repair? if my 2nd disk have a /home? i need to install new harddisk?
i try this to Raid
1 x eBox and user data (/boot, /, /home) on your first disk (120GB)
1 x eBox and user data (/boot, /, /home) on your second disk (160GB)
and how i can setup a Raid in Ebox 1.4? because i try to set onboard RAID and set this to RAID1, then i install ebox 1.4, on installation the other harddisk is still there? they have something wrong to my setup? what i can do?
my harddisk now is 1st 120GB and 2nd 160GB i set this to RAID1, and now im using Ebox 1.4 install (iso). THANK YOU for your helping until now i cannot finish this work :( ...
-
by the way on 1 x eBox data (/boot, /) on your first disk how i can partition this? by percent? thank you...
-
1 x eBox data (/boot, /) on your first disk
1 x user data (/home) on your second disk
In Case my first harddisk is fail how can i repair?
As mentioned previously:
The eBox data may be recreated by reinstalling on a new disk.
You will also need to reconfigure eBox manually.
Alternatively, if you have a backup of the eBox data, this could be restored to the new disk.
if my 2nd disk have a /home? i need to install new harddisk?
I do not fully understand this question. If one of your disks fail only the failed disk will need replacing.
...i try to set onboard RAID and set this to RAID1, then i install ebox 1.4, on installation the other harddisk is still there? they have something wrong to my setup? what i can do?
While you are experimenting and learning you might find it easier not to use hardware RAID devices built into your motherboard/daughter-board. eBox uses software named mdadm to create the RAID arrays. Try connecting each hard disk directly to separate motherboard channels and deactivating on-board RAID. Each disk should be a master.
i try this to Raid
1 x eBox and user data (/boot, /, /home) on your first disk (120GB)
1 x eBox and user data (/boot, /, /home) on your second disk (160GB)
and how i can setup a Raid in Ebox 1.4? because
As mentioned previously:
The tools to do this (mdadm) are contained in the ebox-installer CD-ROM in the same section used to partition a disk. With this system you decide which partitions you want to create but would not dedicate your second disk to /home.
When booted from the ebox-installer CD-ROM, this must be conducted manually in the partitioner section. The basic steps are:
On the first hard disk
- Create the partitions
- Mark one as bootable
- Mark each to use in RAID
On the second hard disk
- Repeat the steps conducted on the first hard disk, making sure the partition sizes are identical on both disks
Configure the RAID Arrays
- Specify array type as RAID1
- Add the components in pairs - one from each disk
Format each array
- Create your choice of filesytem on each array
To increase your chances of success, and reduce the number of difficulties, you may find it helpfull to research about software RAID, RAID1 arrays, mdadm, and Ubuntu 8.04 Server LTS. Keep your initial experiments as simple as possible (only / and swap). Once you understand how things work you can start again from the beginning and build the system you require.
As a starting point this tutorial might be helpful:
http://www.howtoforge.com/how-to-install-ubuntu8.04-with-software-raid1
Good luck.
-
Just to mention it, the eBox documentation also includes a suggested partition scheme (http://trac.ebox-platform.com/wiki/Document/Documentation/ThePerfectEboxSetup).
-
hi! SamK THANK YOU for help and continues give an idea and instruction.. i try to setup the Ebox 1.4.1 now i follow your instruction but i cannot go because they have a error " Grub.. please wait.. Error 22" everytime i install always they happen.. i think the installer is not compatible to my motherboard? im using Asus P5SD2-VM... even i try to setup the raid onboard the error appear is ata2: something... i hope you help me about this.. thank you very much.. and thank you Sam Graf
-
The ebox-installer CD-ROM works in two distinct phases:
Phase 1 - This uses the standard Ubuntu installer
- Installs the operating system (Ubuntu 8.04 Server LTS)
- Configures it to work on your machine
- Installs GRUB
At this point the machine reboots
Phase 2 - This is when eBox is installed
- Installs the eBox modules
- Configures the modules to work as you require
- Starts the finished eBox server
I have made a working assumption that your problem with GRUB is first seen at the reboot between phase 1 and 2. If this is correct it suggests the problem is either with the software elements of phase 1 and/or issues with your hardware. It is not really an eBox issue.
Your hardware is unknown to me and I have never experienced GRUB problems with eBox. Therefore I can only offger generic as opposed to specific advice.
- Be methodical in your troubleshooting.
- Try to eliminate as many variables as possible.
- Try to obtain a known-to-be-good condition.
Suspected Incompatibility
...i think the installer is not compatible to my motherboard?
- Contact your motherboard manufacturer for reported incompatibility with Ubuntu 8.04 Server LTS.
- Contact Ubuntu for reported incompatibility with your hardware.
Verify to condition of your installation sources
- Check the md5 value corresponds to the value for the ebox-installer ISO. Download again if they differ.
- Check the integrity of the CD-ROM at the ebox-installer main menu. Burn again if errors are reported.
Verify the condition of your RAM
- Check using the option on the ebox-installer main menu. Replace if faults are reported.
Verify the condition of your hard disks
- Download Parted Magic (PM) from http://partedmagic.com
- Use the PM tools to check the health of your hard disks. Repair or replace if needed.
- Wipe your disks using the PM tools.
- Create a new partition table on each disk again using PM.
At this point you will have established a good, clean base from which to start.
Installation Test1
- Install 1 x hard disk in your machine and set as master.
- Boot from the ebox-installer CD-ROM and begin the installation procedure.
- At the partitioner screen select the option to allow the installer to automatically partition the disk.
If the machine boots normally proceed to next stage.
Installation Test 2
- Create a new partition table on each disk
- Install 2 x hard disks in your machine and set each as master.
- Boot from the ebox-installer CD-ROM and begin the installation procedure.
- At the partitioner screen choose the option to partition manually and create the scheme you require.
The general idea is to progress using small steps from a known-good position.
-
hi! SamK thank you for giving me an idea and clear instruction for my ebox.. sorry for late reply.. actually now is did not work for me because of raid issue ???.. but i try again if i have a time to do this again. and im happy for quick reply.. if ever they have time come im back here to ask again.. ;D... i hope next release is easy installation and configuration ;D... THANK YOU for help and SUPPORT.. GOD BLESS...