On 2007/09/19 12:43 (GMT+1200) Robin Klitscher apparently typed:
My old desktop computer died in such a way that I'm faced with complete reinstall(s) on its replacement, multi-boot including openSuSE 10.2, starting from new disks, new everything. Core 2 Quad CPU.
In searching the Net for advice on an optimum disk layout, all I've succeeded in doing is confuse myself in trying to come to terms with the often contradictory advice out there.
Given that space will not be a problem of itself (two SATA 320 GB disks, non-RAID), what layout would make sense? I want to do individual partitions for /, /boot, and /home; but what about others? What about /usr, or /var? What are the plusses and minuses involved (a lot of Net afficionados refer to these but don't explain what they are)?
As others have said, there are many ways, but it's up to you to figure out what works best for you. With multiboot, the complications from partitions dedicated to particular directories escalate, so simple is probably better for anyone who has to ask for advice. Multiboot can be a sticky wicket with modern distros, as their kernels impose a practical limit of 14 partitions per HD. If all or all but one OS is Linux, then this can less of a problem because you can use LVM to allocate most space Linux needs. If you'll be using a modest number of distros in multiboot without windoz, you could keep them all on one disk without needing LVM, freeing up the other disk to use for RAID 1. Regardless of how many OS in excess of one that I install on a system, I always create exactly one partition at the start of the disk to be /boot for exactly one Linux. Once it's been set up to be /boot for one Linux, it should never need a boot loader installed on it again. Instead, it can be used as a boot loader for any number of kernels, including installation kernels, as well as chainloading to / partitions, and to doz. A look at http://mrmazda.no-ip.com/install-doz-after.html might be of some use for its applicability to multiboot, and a simple partitioning plan of 4 partitions for one Linux (/boot, swap, /home & /). -- "It yet remains a problem to be solved in human affairs, whether any free government can be permanent, where the public worship of God, and the support of religion, constitute no part of the policy or duty of the state in any assignable shape." Chief Justice Joseph Story Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 Felix Miata *** http://mrmazda.no-ip.com/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org