Couple of quick preinstall questions

wr0x2 · n00b Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 19

First off, I have two sata150 drives in a raid0. What extra steps, if any, will I need to take for the install? Just point me to the install manual if it's in there, although I didn't see it during a quick read earlier.

Also, I have a couple of proliant servers lying around. They both have 2k server, so will a livecd be enough to use them as compile machines during the install?

Keruskerfuerst · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:27 am Post subject:

1. Raid: a) install a supported raid controller from 3Ware or Areca
b) use software raid: http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Install_on_Software_RAID
2. You can use the minimal, universal or live CD for installation. A working internet connection is recommended.
3. If you want to use all server together as compile machines, you have to install distcc: http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_use_ccache_and_distcc_with_scons_build_tool_using_the_Gentoo_environment

wr0x2 · n00b Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 19

The cards from 3ware and areca are all enterprise level and way too much for my budget. What kind of performance hit, if any, will I incur from running a sw raid?

netmaster · n00b Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 4

I agree on the price range. I can't afford that chunk of change either. Did anyone
ever respond to the performance hit question? I would be interested to know if there
are any facts on this
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cyrillic · Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 1:41 am Post subject:

The performance of software RAID depends on the mode you plan on using.

RAID0, RAID1, RAID10 have very little overhead, so software RAID will give you about the same performance as hardware RAID.
RAID4, RAID5, RAID6 are more complex, and should be done in hardware if performance matters to you.

wr0x2 · n00b Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 19

OK, a little more progress. I've booted my system with the minimal install x86 2006.0 install cd, with the option "gentoo dodmraid" at boot. I can partition and mke2fs the devices in /dev/mapper. Can I make my /boot partition on the array and write an MBR to one (both?) of my disks? My bios supports booting from the onboard raid.

cyrillic · Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:08 pm Post subject:

If you want to boot from BIOS RAID, then you should not write any data (including the bootloader) to the individual drives.

I am not that familiar with dmraid, but there should be one of the /dev/mapper devices that corresponds to the entire array. That is the device you want to configure/install your bootloader on.

wr0x2 · n00b Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 19

OK, thanks for the info.

Suicidal · l33t Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 959 Location: /dev/null