Hi,
I managed to get the RAID-1 (mirroring) working on my root partition.
The main points or interest are:
1. RH (the SOB!) refuses to install on a RAID array, even though it
recognises it at install boot. So you have to install a minimal
system (say on a 100/200MB partition) and once your RAID arrays are
up, copy it to the RAID. You can use that partition as swap once root
RAID is working fine.
2. Keep a seperate boot partition. 20MB is more than adequate.
3. You'll need to compile a kernel with RAID support built-in, not as
modules. If you're not into compiling kernels, there're people on
this list who'll be glad to provide you with consultancy for very
reasonable fees (e.g. 1/2 your kingdom and your daughter's hand in
marriage).
4. The Root-RAID HOWTO is close to no use. Specifically, you don't
need the raidboot file, you don't need to mess about with initrd's and
ramdisks, and you can't install most (all?) distributions on RAID
anyway. Throw it away, unless you prefer to use it as bedtime
reading.
5. Mark your RAID partitions as type ``fd'' (Linux RAID
auto-something) using fdisk.
6. Be sure to use root=/dev/md0 (or md1...) in /etc/lilo.conf for the
stanza dealing with the linux kernel with RAID support compiled in.
7. Once root RAID is working fine, you can install the rest of RH (or
whatever distribution you prefer) on it.
I'd be glad to answer specific questions on this process. Do
remember, however, that (a) I'm not an expert on RAID, just a lowly
hacker who manages to get things going by the dint of 1% inspiration
and 99% good luck (is Einstein turning in his grave?), (b) I refuse to
give tutorials on this stuff (except perhaps at Linux-Delhi meetings)
and (c) I already have a wife, so you'll have to make it 3/4th's of
your kingdom :-)
Regards,
-- Raju
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