Managing RAID on Linux - Derek Vadala [1]
Compiling the Kernel with ReiserFS Support
Creating a Filesystem
reiserfsck, reiserfstune, and debugreiserfs
IBM JFS
Distribution Support
Patching the Kernel
Configuring the Kernel
Installing the JFS Utilities
Further Information
SGI XFS
Distribution Support
Obtaining XFS
Compiling the Kernel with XFS Support
Building the XFS Utilities
Further Information
7. Performance, Tuning, and Maintenance
Monitoring RAID Devices
RAID and syslog
BigBrother
SysOrb
Verbose SCSI Reporting
Managing Disk Failures
Automatic Failover to a Spare Disk
Sharing Spare Disks
Manual Disk Replacement
Problems with Hot-Swap and Disk Replacement
Configuring Hard Disk Parameters
Tuning ATA Disks with hdparm
Tuning Disk Elevators
Performance Testing
Booting with Software RAID
Installing Directly to Software RAID
Converting to Software RAID
A. Additional Resources
Mailing Lists
Web Sites and Online Resources
RAID
Books
B. Hardware RAID Controller Vendors
Index
Managing RAID on Linux
Derek Vadala
Editor
Andy Oram
Copyright © 2009 O'Reilly Media, Inc.
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Preface
Linux has come a long way in the last decade. No longer relegated to the world of hobbyists and developers, Linux is ubiquitous and is quickly taking hold of enterprise and high-performance computing. Established corporations such as IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Sun Microsystems have embraced Linux. Linux is now used to produce blockbuster motion pictures, create real-time models of worldwide weather patterns, and aid in scientific and medical research. Linux is even used on the International Space Station.
Linux has accomplished this because of a vast, and seemingly tireless, network of developers, documenters, and evangelists who share the common mantra that software should be reliable, efficient, and secure as well as free. The hard work of these individuals has propelled Linux into the mainstream. Their focus on technologies that allow Linux to compete with traditional operating systems certainly accounts for a large part of the success of Linux.
This book focuses on using one of those technologies: RAID, also known as a Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. As you will find out, RAID allows individuals and organizations to get more out of their hardware by increasing the performance and reliability of their data. RAID is but one component of what makes Linux a competitive platform.
Overview of the Book
Here is a brief overview of the contents of this book.
Chapter 1, Introduction, provides a quick overview of RAID on Linux, including its evolution and future direction. The chapter briefly outlines the RAID levels and identifies which are available under Linux through hardware or software.
Chapter 2, Planning and Architecture, helps you determine what type of RAID is best suited for your needs. The chapter focuses on the