best way to spread data over partitions when install linux

Soldato
Joined
29 Oct 2005
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3,298
Hi,

I want to install Ubuntu on my pc, however in the past I have just put everything in one partition (except swap space). So my question to you guys is:

How best to spread data over partitions when installing linux?

I ask in the hope that there is something that makes kernel upgrades easier / backups easier etc.

Thanks

Daven
 
Associate
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15 Jul 2004
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Norway...maybe...
Personally /boot and /home always get their own partitions. In my case, I usually only have one disk partitioned in ext3, so if you're talking multiple disks, that would affect my choices.

I think the only real reason I partition like this is because it's 'what I know'. I don't really think I can justify any further than that tbh.
 
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Soldato
Joined
9 Dec 2004
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Dorset
Typically I use LVM, with separate partitions for /boot, /home, swap and /.

Then I just happily use MondoRescue to backup my data periodically to a USB drive. If I upgrade to a new version of the distro, I just install into the same partitions but keep /home intact if I feel like it.

What makes kernel upgrades hard with your current partition layout?
 
Soldato
OP
Joined
29 Oct 2005
Posts
3,298
thanks for the tips, I found these resources so might follow bits of them as they seem to be similar to what you guys suggest but I'm guessing the first is more for servers.

http://www.linuxsa.org.au/tips/disk-partitioning.html
http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/the-importance-of-linux-partitions.html

I'm not sure what makes kernel upgrades hard with my current layout (which is everything under /) but in the past a kernel upgrade basically broke everything!! I know it is a pretty big upgrade but was hoping for a way to make it painless.

Either way, partioning my /home and things is probably a good idea.

Thanks

Daven
 
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