[Leaplist] Distro and LAN choices, this works for me!

[leap-cf.mailbox at gibp.com]

> That's a GNU / MS limitation. Proper operating systems have a single
> partition, then "slice" that partition into a nearly infinite number of
> "labels". It would be nice if GNU would pick up on this, but I'll admit
> that it shouldn't be high on the priority list, either.
> 
> Primary partitions are not OS-dependant - This is a BIOS-level limitation.
> At some point, x86 hardware designers said "nobody will need more than 4
> partitions", and limited it to 4. Eventually, someone had the bright idea
> of putting a small table at the start of a primary partition which defined
> sub-partitions on that partition (logical/extended partition), which
> alleviated much of the pain that inevitably followed the 4 partition
> limit.
> 
> Basically, if you want to deviate from the x86 standard of 4 partitions to
> a disk, you will become incompatible with drives that *do* use the 4
> partition standard.
> 
> Here's how it works. In order to boot, the system BIOS looks at the first
> few bytes of a drive for a partition table. This table *must* follow a
> standard format, which only allows for 4 partitions. Once this table is
> read, the BIOS attempts to execute the MBR section of this disk (also at
> the beginning), at which point the OS can get its fingers dirty and do
> whatever it wants.


Yes indeed. I agree with everything you said.

In order to accomplish backward hardware, software, and data compability I have stayed with the GNU / MS limitation of 4 partitions. But, I still enjoy a choice of three operating systems and access to my data from any of them. Granted, most computer users are content with 1 OS.

Scenario #1
There is a webpage that I want printed out and my open-source driver will not render it true as I view it within my browser. Solution: hda1 is (primary partition) Windows with proprietary printer drivers.

Scenario #2
I want a stable secure OS.
Solution: hda2 is my (primary partition) preferred distro

Scenario #3
I want to experiment with other distros. I want to use all RAM possible for applications.
Solution: hda3 is my R&D (primary partition)

Partition #4 is extended
 . Logical part 5 is data
 . Logical part 6 is linux swap

Someone else could easily setup
hda1 for work
hda2 for play
hda3 for an OS and firewall that will only allow https connections to a specified static IP

Speed, security, and simplicity
 1. Separate partitions for each purpose
 2. A separate partition for data
 3. Separation of applications that could adversely effect each other

Backups
Image partitons hda1 to hdc1, hda2 to hdc2, hda3 to hdc3, hda5 to hdc5, byte for byte / no compression.
hda and hdc are on separate channels to maximize data transfer during backups.
If hda fails, power down, swap a ribbon cable (or removable drive), power up.
Automated/selective incremental backups from hda* to hdc* makes it rock solid.
Next time, buy 2 matching hard drives, sleep soundly.

/robin