I recently discovered that the Linux kernel includes module support for Logical Volume Management. I've been playing around with LVM using Redhat and I even went as far as doing a complete RH8 install atop LVM. RH8 made it a snap during disk allocation. I first had to define the boot/root filesystems as non-lvm (ext3) but the remainder of the disk was dedicated as an LVM physical volume within a Volume Group. From that point all my other filesystems (/home /usr /var /tmp ) were created as Logical Volumes allocated against my Volume Group. What this means is that filling a filesystem is no longer a big deal. I simply grow it. I can do this while it's mounted and while its actively being used. Yes I can shrink it dynamically too!
As a long-time IBM AIX Administrator I can tell you this is Enterprise quality stuff. Reduced downtime for maintenance and filesystem management. Apparently Linux/LVM is a result of the Linux team at IBM and is just the tip of the iceberg regarding IBM's ability to leverage development efforts between the AIX and Linux teams. Jeff Leinen Jumpy Monkey
