[NTLUG:Discuss] Partition Size

[Chris Cox]

Dennis Rice wrote:
.....
>  From Chris' comment regarding /var being huge, when yum does an 
> update, the process is temporarily stored in /var, and the very first 
> update for a full install requires about 4 GB.  This is known from 
> experience.  If a smaller partition is desired, then one must perform 
> a first-time partial yum update.

That's amazing!  I mean most FULL distros are 4GB in size or less.

> 
> I interpret from Chris' suggestions:
> 
>   Partition	Minimum		Medium		Full
>   /		750M		.		.
>   /boot		60M		.		100M
>   /root		.		.		.
>   /home		.		.		.
>   /var		750M		.		5G
>   /var/lib	750M		.		.
>   /usr		2G		.		.
>   /usr/local	750M		.		.
>   /tmp		750M		.		.
>   /opt		2G		.		.
>   /srv (web)	.		.		.
>   "swap"		1G (?)		.		4G (2G RAM)
> 
> For RH/Fedora, I assume that /srv would be the same as /var/www, and 
> one might desire a separate partition for that one function (excellent 
> idea).
> 
> I was not aware that /root could be a separate partition, I have 
> always been under the impression that it had to be part of the root 
> (/) file system.

/root ideally needs to be part of /.  Unless /root is NOT root's
home dir.  Root's home dir needs to be present.  I suppose you could
have a workable root with necessary things and mount over the top
of it... just don't depend on anything being there since in a recovery
situation, /root (the separate partition) will not be mounted (you'll
have just your mini /root that is part of /).

> 
> My setting up /boot to be 100M for size was based on a simple round 
> number for a full install.  Chris' number of 60M would be a minimum.

Actually, it can go even smaller... even 40M, or even less.  All
depends on how many kernels you like to have around.

> 
> I have added several additional partitiion from the initial 
> discussion, including the root (/), /opt, /srv (/var/www), and "swap". 
>   Should one also have a separate partition for /usr/share?

Well.. you can partition things to whatever level you like.  So
/usr/share, much like my suggestion of /usr/lib, could be
an interesting one as a separate partition.  Just remember that
partitions cost some disk space efficiency.  Get too wild and
it might make a difference that is noticeable.

Of course, if you're using LVM... things are a bit nicer and
easier to rearrange if you mess up or change your mind.