Bug 748083 - Add software RAID create to installation guide
Summary: Add software RAID create to installation guide
Keywords:
Status: CLOSED NOTABUG
Alias: None
Product: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Classification: Red Hat
Component: doc-Installation_Guide
Version: 6.1
Hardware: All
OS: Linux
unspecified
high
Target Milestone: rc
: ---
Assignee: Jack Reed
QA Contact: ecs-bugs
URL:
Whiteboard:
Depends On:
Blocks:
TreeView+ depends on / blocked
 
Reported: 2011-10-22 00:04 UTC by John Troan
Modified: 2013-06-17 05:35 UTC (History)
2 users (show)

Fixed In Version:
Doc Type: Bug Fix
Doc Text:
Clone Of:
Environment:
Last Closed: 2012-02-22 04:55:31 UTC
Target Upstream Version:


Attachments (Terms of Use)

Description John Troan 2011-10-22 00:04:19 UTC
Description of problem: Add a section to the installation guide that provides steps for how to build a software RAID during installation.

The following is a slightly edited version of steps received in response to a tech support case.  (The case specifically asked for RAID-1.)

1.Start your installation with CD/DVD/FTP/NFS/HTTP server or other method.

2.Follow the normal instructions up to the storage set up, then select basic storage, and custom layout.

3.Move both hard drives to "Install target Services" tab by selecting the drives and clicking on the "Right arrow" button.

4.We will create 3 partitions /boot (200MB), swap, and / (root partition).

5.Delete existing partitions if you have any, before creating new partitions. 

6.Click on the create button, then click on create RAID partition button.

7.In the file system choose : "Software RAID"

8.Check the 1st disk , enter the desired size.

9.Repeat same steps for the second drive.

10.Now Click Create RAID and then select Create a RAID device, making sure you check both the drives.

11.Select the mount point as /boot.

12.Create normal swap partition on both drives, don't make it a Raid.

13.Now repeat 6-11 to create the root (/) partition with the intended space, RAID device md1, and Raid level 1.

14. Now your RAID is ready to use.

15. After normal OS installation, reboot.

Comment 2 Jack Reed 2012-02-22 04:55:31 UTC
Hi John,

Thanks for going to the trouble to post this. I've been comparing your procedure to section 9.15, specifically the 'Create a Software RAID' and 'Recommended Partitioning Scheme' sections, and assessing whether we need to restructure.

The current structure is designed to explain the initial partitioning screen and then branch off to explain the specifics of each option (Standard Partition, RAID, LVM). It then reconnects in the final section to discuss the common issue of a Recommended Partitioning Scheme. 

This is arguably more efficient than providing a complete procedure for standard partitions, LVM, and RAID, where much of it would be repetitious. It may also cause confusion for users wanting to use some or all of these partitioning options in the same installation.

The RAID and LVM sections are not in a procedural format because the accompanying text explains the options presented in the screenshot, so the linearity of the task is created by the graphic itself. To create a procedure out of these steps (many of which are self-evident) would risk overcomplicating them.

As to the partitioning recommendations in your procedure, the Recommended Partitioning Scheme hews closely to them. While it is problematic to place this after the steps explaining how to create partitions, putting it before the Adding Partitions section within 9.15 would further complicate matters because it would provide supplementary information before the primary information.

However, the fourth paragraph in "Creating a Custom Layout" does refer readers to the Recommended Partitioning Scheme before the customization screen is explained and partitioning options are broached:

"If you have not yet planned how to set up your partitions, refer to Appendix A, An Introduction to Disk Partitions and Section 9.15.5, “Recommended Partitioning Scheme”. At a bare minimum, you need an appropriately-sized root partition, and usually a swap partition appropriate to the amount of RAM you have on the system."

So, I feel that the current documentation does feature the steps in the procedure you provided, just not in that form.

However, if you feel this doesn't adequately address your concerns, please let me know and I will revisit this.

Thanks again,

Jack


Note You need to log in before you can comment on or make changes to this bug.