You are not logged in.
- Topics: Active | Unanswered
#1 2009-06-07 01:23:33
- Lexion
- Member
- Registered: 2008-03-23
- Posts: 510
advantages of using partitions for tasks
I like my setup on one partition. But I'm wondering, are there advantages to using separate partitions for /, /home, /boot, and swap?
Simple question, but I'd like to know the answer from many sources, cause it seems like the type of question that has multiple answers.
urxvtc / wmii / zsh / configs / onebluecat.net
Arch will not hold your hand
Offline
#2 2009-06-07 01:30:29
- dolby
- Member
- From: 1992
- Registered: 2006-08-08
- Posts: 1,581
Re: advantages of using partitions for tasks
It depends on the use of the machine.
For example if you need encryption/lvm you need a seperate /boot.
/home is always handy to have seperate in case you want to reinstall.
If you run a server having /var in seperate partition comes very handy also.
For a desktop even a one partition setup works OK.
There shouldn't be any reason to learn more editor types than emacs or vi -- mg (1)
[You learn that sarcasm does not often work well in international forums. That is why we avoid it. -- ewaller (arch linux forum moderator)
Offline
#3 2009-06-07 01:56:07
- .:B:.
- Forum Fellow
- Registered: 2006-11-26
- Posts: 5,819
- Website
Re: advantages of using partitions for tasks
I have a separate /var to prevent filling log files blocking access to the system (although with ext3 and its root-allocated space that should be a non-issue, but it can still be annoying). It's also nice to keep an easy eye on the size of /var (and to mount it with different flags, for (basic) increased security.
/home on a separate partition is a must. Even if you don't reinstall, it's always easy for backup purposes (imaging the whole partition e.g.), or for sharing it with other distros (if you get the UIDs right).
Got Leenucks? :: Arch: Power in simplicity :: Get Counted! Registered Linux User #392717 :: Blog thingy
Offline
#5 2009-06-18 15:51:24
- tkdfighter
- Member
- From: Switzerland
- Registered: 2009-01-28
- Posts: 126
Re: advantages of using partitions for tasks
It's good practice because it prevents fragmentation and data loss in case of filesystem corruption. Having /var and /tmp on seperate partitions is also handy when / or /home are full.
Offline
#6 2009-06-18 16:51:15
- combuster
- Member
- From: Serbia
- Registered: 2008-09-30
- Posts: 711
- Website
Re: advantages of using partitions for tasks
I have root partition as primary 40GB and /data backup partition with 120GB on wich I store and backup all my data... Never found the need for using separate /home partition because before reinstalling I tar the /home directory and copy it on /data... Then I can extract from it only the configuration files I need
Offline
#7 2009-06-19 02:04:06
- von_Wanderlust
- Member
- Registered: 2008-11-03
- Posts: 67
Re: advantages of using partitions for tasks
My laptop and a little server in the home which I'll set up to the face the internet at some point so I can get to files/music etc have split partitioning: / /usr /var /home /tmp (via tmpfs) and separate /boot (needed for lvm/encryption/funny filesystems). I set up the partitions on advice of some of the hardening guides (see wiki). As well as allowing for problems with huge log files crashing the system as mentioned above, the idea is to have separate partitions to restrict what can be done in each area of the file system via mounting options in fstab. Eg, one of the options you could give to /var and/or /home would be noexec, so no exectuables/scripts could be run. If someone breaks in, it should make it harder to gain complete control.
It's prob overkill, but I am a big fan of peace of mind 
It doesn't take much longer to set up (make it lvm so you don't have to worry about getting the partition sizes wrong) and it doesn't hinder how my system runs in any way.
Offline
#8 2009-06-19 03:09:56
- fukawi2
- Ex-Administratorino
- From: .vic.au
- Registered: 2007-09-28
- Posts: 6,231
- Website
Re: advantages of using partitions for tasks
It depends on the use of the machine.
For example if you need encryption/lvm you need a seperate /boot.
/home is always handy to have seperate in case you want to reinstall.
If you run a server having /var in seperate partition comes very handy also.
For a desktop even a one partition setup works OK.
Well said. Agree 100%.
...although with ext3 and its root-allocated space that should be a non-issue...
In theory it works, in practise though, I've had that bite me hard more than once 
Are you familiar with our Forum Rules, and How To Ask Questions The Smart Way?
BlueHackers // fscanary // resticctl
Offline