Ubuntu Server partition recommendations

[NJC]

This is cross-posted from Ubuntu forums, but it got bounced off of the first page within minutes. I need some input because I want to install the drive tonight:

I just purchased a shiny 1TB WD Blue drive as storage for my Ubuntu file server. I want to use to backup via SSH/rsync my dual-boot XP/Ubuntu 10.10 Desktop PC.

I'll do either of the following:

1/ Add as 2nd drive to Server, and format/install LVM as one giant partition
2/ Replace Server drive with new 1TB and re-install Ubuntu Server. The data can easily be copied to Server so losing contents is fine.

Any other recommendations for partitioning?

 

[Familyguy]

If it's just your desktop box, I'd just create a swap partition of a suitable size (Usually 2-3 times physical RAM for me) and then just use the rest for the root filesystem.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could even choose ext4 as the file system.

I'm toying with the idea of bumping my laptop from 10.04 to 10.10.

Cheers,

 

[NJC]

And there it be, that's a decent amount of space now.

Code:
System information as of Fri Oct 22 20:11:34 PDT 2010



System load: 0.02 Processes: 90

Usage of /: 0.1% of 915.24GB Users logged in: 1

Memory usage: 23% IP address for lo: 127.0.0.1

Swap usage: 0% IP address for eth0: 192.168.1.101

Temperature: 77 C

Html:
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System

/dev/sda1 * 1 32 248832 83 Linux

/dev/sda2 32 121602 976510977 5 Extended

/dev/sda5 32 121602 976510976 8e Linux LVM

 

[simple_gifts]

No extra swap is needed. Samba, rsync, ssh = very low memory usage apps.

I think linux needs swap = or > physical memory, which is unfortunate.

 

[NJC]

Speed comparison of all three Western Digital drives on my computers.

320GB Blue:

Timing cached reads: 3090 MB in 2.00 seconds = 1545.46 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 320 MB in 3.00 seconds = 106.63 MB/sec

640GB Black:

Timing cached reads: 3136 MB in 2.00 seconds = 1568.96 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 342 MB in 3.01 seconds = 113.48 MB/sec

1TB Blue:

Timing cached reads: 1102 MB in 2.00 seconds = 550.79 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 358 MB in 3.01 seconds = 118.88 MB/sec

---------

Hmm, what's with the low cached reads on the 1TB?

 

[wwillson]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts


I think linux needs swap = or > physical memory, which is unfortunate.


Nah, you can run Linux with no swap if you'd like, or just about any size of swap file(s) or partition(s) as you'd like. Just understand the consequences of running with no or small swap if you have memory pressure (think OOM).

Wayne

 

[NJC]

I just picked the default LVM method of partitioning. It's an easy installation too. I'm wondering about the low Timing cached reads though??

 

[brueggma]

Note: I have no experience w/ Ubuntu, but have quite a bit of experience with RHEL.

Just create a 256Mb primary partition for /boot, then carve up the rest with LVM. This way, if you change your mind in the future, you can use LVM to resize it to your changing needs. This is what an Volume Manager such as ZFS/VXVM/LVM are for.

Can you show us your hdparm settings for the drive(s) in question?

 

[NJC]

It's the 1TB Blue Western Digital above, but here's hdparm of same:

/dev/sda:
multcount = 16 (on)
IO_support = 0 (default)
readonly = 0 (off)
readahead = 256 (on)
geometry = 121601/255/63, sectors = 1953525168, start = 0