Re: Partitioning for Win, Linux, NetBSD

On Sun, 13 Feb 2005, Eric "Shubes" wrote:

> Jeremy C. Reed wrote:
> >
> > In your other email you mentioned /boot partition. I would not use that
> > unless you have a old BIOS.
> >
> I value your views, Jeremy, so I'm wondering "Why would that be?".

Most modern hardware and modern operating systems and modern filesystems
do not need the safety (or position) of having a /boot filesystem. It is
unecessary.

> My thinking is that a single /boot partition could be a good thing. Namely:
> .) there is no confusion as to which /boot is being used

There is confusion in this case, because this thread is about
multi-booting.

> .) no redundant, unused /boot directories lying aroung

I am not sure what that means in this context.

> .) ability to easily access/modify /boot from any distro

Which may not be a good idea.

> .) easier management of /boot (kind of a summary of the first three points)

But I can agree that it may be useful to share a /boot if your are sharing
kernels between your systems. But I expect in this case, this is not
needed.

> .) OSs can be wiped out and reinstalled without effecting other
> installed OSs

I don't follow this. Above mentioned sharing /boot and now you could
accidently remove a kernel (or initrd) that is used if booting to other
system.

> What are the drawbacks?

It is not a draw back about /boot. But with modern filesystems and modern
hardware (modern meaning reliable), it is more convenient to have big
filesystem than to play with many smaller filesystems that may run out of
space or need to be resized, etc. Especially with a multi-boot system
which is already getting partitioned up a lot.

(By the way, the NetBSD install on the partition may also be partitioned
up some more -- using BSD label/disklabel partitions.)

Jeremy C. Reed

                 BSD News, BSD tutorials, BSD links
                http://www.bsdnewsletter.com/

---------------------------------------------------
PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change you mail settings:
http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss