Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 14:09:30 -0800 From: Steve Warwick <ukla@attbi.com> To: <freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG> Subject: Separating the OS from the data - tough to do? Message-ID: <B9E6EA1A.3B33%ukla@attbi.com>
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Hi,=20
-- Problem:
Separating OS from underlying data. Which parts of the BSD OS are not part
of the initial, never modified OS? Or, which pieces of the OS change due to
useage.
-- Goal:=20
To have a slightly modified BSD OS structure where the OS can be upgraded,
yet the variable data remains the untouched (DNS, websites, mail etc), on
another partition or disk, allowing an OS upgrade that can be as "plug &
play" as possible.
-- THEORY --
See reference below for BSD file system details.
At first glance it looks like I can just move and soft link a few
directories, /etc, /usr/local, /usr/home (websites) and /var. However if on=
e
upgrades the OS, is it possible to have all the installed apps separate?
For example, I have Apache, MySQL and PHP installed. By moving/linking
/usr/local to another partition or disk, is it possible that these apps wil=
l
run properly once the OS is upgraded and the soft link re-setablished? Will
/var still function properly? Will MySQL re-write the DB files somewhere
else next time it is optimized or repaired?
All thoughts, ideas and input gratefully received. Hopefully this discussio=
n
will be of use to a few more people that just me :)
--- For reference --
From:
Filesystem Hierarchy Standard =8B Version 2.2 final
Filesystem Hierarchy Standard Group
the standard unix FS, moveable? directories marked with a &
# bin Essential command binaries
# boot Static files of the boot loader
# dev Device files
& etc Host-specific system configuration
# lib Essential shared libraries and kernel modules
# mnt Mount point for mounting a filesystem temporarily
# opt Add-on application software packages
# sbin Essential system binaries
# tmp Temporary files
# usr Secondary hierarchy
& usr/local
* var Variable data
Note:=20
The /usr/local hierarchy is for use by the system administrator when
installing software locally. It needs to be safe from being overwritten whe=
n
the system software is updated. It may be used for programs and data that
are shareable amongst a group of hosts, but not found in /usr.
Need a copy? Email me for the PDF
Steve
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