File server = isolated Logical Disk?

[mbrownnyc]

Hello,

I've always followed the theory of keeping the system partition on a separate logical disk than the Data partition. However, my coworkers (two) do not agree with me. I'm having a hard time convincing them that this is a better way... mostly... because... I don't really have reasoning behind isolating the system on a Logical Disk. A partition? Yes. But a logical disk? No.

Am I crazy, or are these guys?


Thanks!

Matt

 

[Syntax Error]

I'm a believer in keeping the OS on a separate disk, not only just a partition, but a separate disk. The benefits of this can be seen mostly depending on the OS used, for example, if it was Vista, I would definitely keep it on a separate disk (like what I do with my current server), to keep the OS I/O demands separate from my array. Windows tends to work HDDs pretty hard, and I wouldn't want to keep it on the array, especially in the result of controller/array failure, then the OS would then be inaccessable as well.

Keeping the OS on the separate disk has its advantages, since if you want to reinstall the OS or swap out the OS with another disk, you wouldn't have to mess with the array at all.

Really, to be honest, the only benefit I can see of having the OS on an array is for the increased performance, but the costs IMO outweigh the benefits with increased random access to the array and unbootable system partition in the case of the array failing.

 

[Ockie]

For most server systems, a system disk is almost always used for the system itself. Even for workstations it does have it's advantages.

 

[Thuleman]

I don't really have reasoning behind isolating the system on a Logical Disk. A partition? Yes. But a logical disk? No.

There are plenty of reasons really:
- different hardware (i.e. fast system disk, slower storage disks)
- different RAID setup (i.e. Raid10 for system, Raid5 for storage)
- better performance with dedicated system I/O
- easier failure management (system disk replacement doesn't involve restoring storage data)
-- along the same lines, having a small system disk is more convenient for bare-metal disk image generation and recovery

Probably a few more I just can't think of right now.