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1. Home
2. Products
3. Red Hat Enterprise Linux
4. 7
5. Installation Guide
6. A.3. Partition Naming Schemes and Mount Points
(BUTTON) Open Table of contents
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Red Hat Enterprise Linux
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Red Hat Enterprise Linux
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1. Installation Guide
2. 1. Getting Started
1. Getting Started
2. 1.1. Graphical Installation
3. 1.2. Remote Installation
4. 1.3. Automated Installation
3. 2. Downloading Red Hat Enterprise Linux
4. 3. Making Media
1. Making Media
2. 3.1. Making an Installation CD or DVD
3. 3.2. Making Installation USB Media
1. Making Installation USB Media
2. 3.2.1. Making Installation USB Media on Linux
3. 3.2.2. Making Installation USB Media on Windows
4. 3.2.3. Making Installation USB Media on Mac OS X
4. 3.3. Preparing Installation Sources
1. Preparing Installation Sources
2. 3.3.1. Installation Source on a DVD
3. 3.3.2. Installation Source on a Hard Drive
4. 3.3.3. Installation Source on a Network
1. Installation Source on a Network
2. 3.3.3.1. Installation Source on an NFS Server
3. 3.3.3.2. Installation Source on an HTTP, HTTPS or
FTP Server
4. 3.3.3.3. Firewall Considerations for Network-based
Installations
5. I. AMD64, Intel 64, and ARM 64 - Installation and Booting
1. AMD64, Intel 64, and ARM 64 - Installation and Booting
2. 4. Quick Installation Guide
1. Quick Installation Guide
2. 4.1. Interactive Installation
3. 4.2. Automatic Installation
3. 5. Planning for Installation on 64-bit AMD, Intel, and ARM
Systems
1. Planning for Installation on 64-bit AMD, Intel, and ARM
Systems
2. 5.1. Upgrade or Install?
3. 5.2. Is Your Hardware Compatible?
4. 5.3. Supported Installation Targets
5. 5.4. System Specifications List
6. 5.5. Disk Space and Memory Requirements
7. 5.6. RAID and Other Disk Devices
1. RAID and Other Disk Devices
2. 5.6.1. Hardware RAID
3. 5.6.2. Software RAID
4. 5.6.3. USB Disks
5. 5.6.4. NVDIMM devices
6. 5.6.5. Considerations for Intel BIOS RAID Sets
7. 5.6.6. Considerations for Intel BIOS iSCSI Remote
Boot
8. 5.7. Choose an Installation Boot Method
9. 5.8. Automating the Installation with Kickstart
10. 5.9. Using a Beta Release with UEFI Secure Boot
4. 6. Updating Drivers During Installation on AMD64 and Intel 64
Systems
1. Updating Drivers During Installation on AMD64 and
Intel 64 Systems
2. 6.1. Limitations of Driver Updates During Installation
3. 6.2. Preparing for a Driver Update During Installation
1. Preparing for a Driver Update During Installation
2. 6.2.1. Preparing to Use a Driver Update Image File
on Local Storage
3. 6.2.2. Preparing a Driver Disc
4. 6.3. Performing a Driver Update During Installation
1. Performing a Driver Update During Installation
2. 6.3.1. Automatic Driver Update
3. 6.3.2. Assisted Driver Update
4. 6.3.3. Manual Driver Update
5. 6.3.4. Blacklisting a Driver
5. 7. Booting the Installation on 64-bit AMD, Intel, and ARM
systems
1. Booting the Installation on 64-bit AMD, Intel, and ARM
systems
2. 7.1. Starting the Installation Program
1. Starting the Installation Program
2. 7.1.1. Booting from Physical Media
3. 7.1.2. Booting from the Network Using PXE
3. 7.2. The Boot Menu
6. 8. Installing Using Anaconda
1. Installing Using Anaconda
2. 8.1. Introduction to Anaconda
3. 8.2. Consoles and Logging During the Installation
1. Consoles and Logging During the Installation
2. 8.2.1. Accessing Consoles
3. 8.2.2. Saving Screenshots
4. 8.3. Installing in Text Mode
5. 8.4. Installing in the Graphical User Interface
6. 8.5. Welcome Screen and Language Selection
7. 8.6. The Installation Summary Screen
8. 8.7. Date & Time
9. 8.8. Language Support
10. 8.9. Keyboard Configuration
11. 8.10. Security Policy
12. 8.11. Installation Source
13. 8.12. Network & Hostname
1. Network & Hostname
2. 8.12.1. Edit Network Connections
3. 8.12.2. Advanced Network Interfaces
14. 8.13. Software Selection
1. Software Selection
2. 8.13.1. Core Network Services
15. 8.14. Installation Destination
1. Installation Destination
2. 8.14.1. Boot Loader Installation
1. Boot Loader Installation
2. 8.14.1.1. MBR and GPT Considerations
3. 8.14.2. Encrypt Partitions
4. 8.14.3. Reclaim Disk Space
5. 8.14.4. Manual Partitioning
1. Manual Partitioning
2. 8.14.4.1. Adding File Systems and Configuring
Partitions
1. Adding File Systems and Configuring
Partitions
2. 8.14.4.1.1. File System Types
3. 8.14.4.2. Create Software RAID
4. 8.14.4.3. Create LVM Logical Volume
5. 8.14.4.4. Recommended Partitioning Scheme
1. Recommended Partitioning Scheme
2. 8.14.4.4.1. Advice on Partitions
16. 8.15. Storage Devices
1. Storage Devices
2. 8.15.1. The Storage Devices Selection Screen
1. The Storage Devices Selection Screen
2. 8.15.1.1. Advanced Storage Options
1. Advanced Storage Options
2. 8.15.1.1.1. Configuring iSCSI Parameters
3. 8.15.1.1.2. Configuring FCoE Parameters
4. 8.15.1.1.3. Configuring NVDIMM Devices
17. 8.16. Kdump
18. 8.17. Begin Installation
19. 8.18. The Configuration Menu and Progress Screen
1. The Configuration Menu and Progress Screen
2. 8.18.1. Set the Root Password
3. 8.18.2. Create a User Account
20. 8.19. Installation Complete
7. 9. Troubleshooting Installation on 64-bit AMD, Intel, and ARM
Systems
1. Troubleshooting Installation on 64-bit AMD, Intel, and
ARM Systems
2. 9.1. Trouble Beginning the Installation
1. Trouble Beginning the Installation
2. 9.1.1. System Does Not Boot When UEFI Secure Boot Is
Enabled
3. 9.1.2. Problems with Booting into the Graphical
Installation
4. 9.1.3. Serial Console Not Detected
3. 9.2. Trouble During the Installation
1. Trouble During the Installation
2. 9.2.1. No Disks Detected
3. 9.2.2. Reporting Traceback Messages
4. 9.2.3. Creating Pre-installation Log Files
4. 9.3. Problems After Installation
1. Problems After Installation
2. 9.3.1. Are You Unable to Boot With Your RAID Card?
3. 9.3.2. Trouble With the Graphical Boot Sequence
4. 9.3.3. Booting into a Graphical Environment
5. 9.3.4. No Graphical User Interface Present
6. 9.3.5. X Server Crashing After User Logs In
7. 9.3.6. Is Your RAM Not Being Recognized?
8. 9.3.7. Is Your System Displaying Signal 11 Errors?
6. II. IBM Power Systems - Installation and Booting
1. IBM Power Systems - Installation and Booting
2. 10. Planning for Installation on IBM Power Systems
1. Planning for Installation on IBM Power Systems
2. 10.1. Upgrade or Install?
3. 10.2. Is Your Hardware Compatible?
4. 10.3. IBM Installation Tools
5. 10.4. Preparation for IBM Power Systems Servers
6. 10.5. Supported Installation Targets
7. 10.6. System Specifications List
8. 10.7. Disk Space and Memory Requirements
9. 10.8. RAID and Other Disk Devices
1. RAID and Other Disk Devices
2. 10.8.1. Hardware RAID
3. 10.8.2. Software RAID
4. 10.8.3. USB Disks
10. 10.9. Choose an Installation Boot Method
11. 10.10. Automating the Installation with Kickstart
3. 11. Updating Drivers During Installation on IBM Power Systems
1. Updating Drivers During Installation on IBM Power Systems
2. 11.1. Preparing for a Driver Update During Installation
1. Preparing for a Driver Update During Installation
2. 11.1.1. Preparing to Use a Driver Update Image File
on Local Storage
3. 11.1.2. Preparing a Driver Disc
3. 11.2. Performing a Driver Update During Installation
1. Performing a Driver Update During Installation
2. 11.2.1. Automatic Driver Update
3. 11.2.2. Assisted Driver Update
4. 11.2.3. Manual Driver Update
5. 11.2.4. Blacklisting a Driver
4. 12. Booting the Installation on IBM Power Systems
1. Booting the Installation on IBM Power Systems
2. 12.1. The Boot Menu
3. 12.2. Installing from a Different Source
4. 12.3. Booting from the Network Using an Installation
Server
5. 13. Installing Using Anaconda
1. Installing Using Anaconda
2. 13.1. Introduction to Anaconda
3. 13.2. Consoles and Logging During the Installation
1. Consoles and Logging During the Installation
2. 13.2.1. Accessing Consoles
3. 13.2.2. Saving Screenshots
4. 13.3. Installing in Text Mode
5. 13.4. Using the HMC vterm
6. 13.5. Installing in the Graphical User Interface
7. 13.6. Welcome Screen and Language Selection
8. 13.7. The Installation Summary Screen
9. 13.8. Date & Time
10. 13.9. Language Support
11. 13.10. Keyboard Configuration
12. 13.11. Security Policy
13. 13.12. Installation Source
14. 13.13. Network & Hostname
1. Network & Hostname
2. 13.13.1. Edit Network Connections
3. 13.13.2. Advanced Network Interfaces
15. 13.14. Software Selection
1. Software Selection
2. 13.14.1. Core Network Services
16. 13.15. Installation Destination
1. Installation Destination
2. 13.15.1. Boot Loader Installation
3. 13.15.2. Encrypt Partitions
4. 13.15.3. Reclaim Disk Space
5. 13.15.4. Manual Partitioning
1. Manual Partitioning
2. 13.15.4.1. Adding File Systems and Configuring
Partitions
1. Adding File Systems and Configuring
Partitions
2. 13.15.4.1.1. File System Types
3. 13.15.4.2. Create Software RAID
4. 13.15.4.3. Create LVM Logical Volume
5. 13.15.4.4. Recommended Partitioning Scheme
17. 13.16. Storage Devices
1. Storage Devices
2. 13.16.1. The Storage Devices Selection Screen
1. The Storage Devices Selection Screen
2. 13.16.1.1. Advanced Storage Options
1. Advanced Storage Options
2. 13.16.1.1.1. Configure iSCSI Parameters
3. 13.16.1.1.2. Configure FCoE Parameters
18. 13.17. Kdump
19. 13.18. Begin Installation
20. 13.19. The Configuration Menu and Progress Screen
1. The Configuration Menu and Progress Screen
2. 13.19.1. Set the Root Password
3. 13.19.2. Create a User Account
21. 13.20. Installation Complete
6. 14. Troubleshooting Installation on IBM Power Systems
1. Troubleshooting Installation on IBM Power Systems
2. 14.1. Trouble Beginning the Installation
1. Trouble Beginning the Installation
2. 14.1.1. Problems with Booting into the Graphical
Installation
3. 14.1.2. Serial Console Not Detected
3. 14.2. Trouble During the Installation
1. Trouble During the Installation
2. 14.2.1. No Disks Detected
3. 14.2.2. Reporting Traceback Messages
4. 14.2.3. Creating Pre-installation Log Files
5. 14.2.4. Other Partitioning Problems for IBM
Power Systems Users
4. 14.3. Problems After Installation
1. Problems After Installation
2. 14.3.1. Trouble With the Graphical Boot Sequence
3. 14.3.2. Booting into a Graphical Environment
4. 14.3.3. No Graphical User Interface Present
5. 14.3.4. X Server Crashing After User Logs In
6. 14.3.5. Is Your System Displaying Signal 11 Errors?
7. 14.3.6. Unable to IPL from Network Storage Space
(*NWSSTG)
8. 14.3.7. The GRUB2 next_entry variable can behave
unexpectedly in a virtualized environment
7. III. IBM Z Architecture - Installation and Booting
1. IBM Z Architecture - Installation and Booting
2. 15. Planning for Installation on IBM Z
1. Planning for Installation on IBM Z
2. 15.1. Pre-installation
3. 15.2. Overview of the IBM Z Installation Procedure
1. Overview of the IBM Z Installation Procedure
2. 15.2.1. Booting the Installation
3. 15.2.2. Connecting to the installation system
4. 15.2.3. Installation using Anaconda
3. 16. Booting the Installation on IBM Z
1. Booting the Installation on IBM Z
2. 16.1. Customizing boot parameters
3. 16.2. Considerations for Hard Drive Installation on IBM Z
4. 16.3. Installing under z/VM
1. Installing under z/VM
2. 16.3.1. Using the z/VM Reader
3. 16.3.2. Using a Prepared DASD
4. 16.3.3. Using a Prepared FCP-attached SCSI Disk
5. 16.3.4. Using an FCP-attached SCSI DVD Drive
5. 16.4. Installing in an LPAR
1. Installing in an LPAR
2. 16.4.1. Using an FTP Server
3. 16.4.2. Using a Prepared DASD
4. 16.4.3. Using a Prepared FCP-attached SCSI Disk
5. 16.4.4. Using an FCP-attached SCSI DVD Drive
4. 17. Connecting to the installation system
1. Connecting to the installation system
2. 17.1. Setting up remote connection using VNC
5. 18. Installing Using Anaconda
1. Installing Using Anaconda
2. 18.1. Introduction to Anaconda
3. 18.2. Consoles and Logging During the Installation
1. Consoles and Logging During the Installation
2. 18.2.1. Accessing Consoles
3. 18.2.2. Saving Screenshots
4. 18.3. Installation in Non-Interactive Line Mode
5. 18.4. Installing in Text Mode
6. 18.5. Installing in the Graphical User Interface
7. 18.6. Welcome Screen and Language Selection
8. 18.7. The Installation Summary Screen
9. 18.8. Date & Time
10. 18.9. Language Support
11. 18.10. Keyboard Configuration
12. 18.11. Security Policy
13. 18.12. Installation Source
14. 18.13. Network & Hostname
1. Network & Hostname
2. 18.13.1. Edit Network Connections
3. 18.13.2. Advanced Network Interfaces
15. 18.14. Software Selection
1. Software Selection
2. 18.14.1. Core Network Services
16. 18.15. Installation Destination
1. Installation Destination
2. 18.15.1. Encrypt Partitions
3. 18.15.2. Reclaim Disk Space
4. 18.15.3. Manual Partitioning
1. Manual Partitioning
2. 18.15.3.1. Adding File Systems and Configuring
Partitions
1. Adding File Systems and Configuring
Partitions
2. 18.15.3.1.1. File System Types
3. 18.15.3.2. Create Software RAID
4. 18.15.3.3. Create LVM Logical Volume
5. 18.15.3.4. Recommended Partitioning Scheme
17. 18.16. Storage Devices
1. Storage Devices
2. 18.16.1. The Storage Devices Selection Screen
1. The Storage Devices Selection Screen
2. 18.16.1.1. DASD Low-level Formatting
3. 18.16.1.2. Advanced Storage Options
1. Advanced Storage Options
2. 18.16.1.2.1. Configuring iSCSI Parameters
3. 18.16.1.2.2. DASD storage devices
4. 18.16.1.2.3. FCP Devices
5. 18.16.1.2.4. Configure FCoE Parameters
18. 18.17. Kdump
19. 18.18. Begin Installation
20. 18.19. The Configuration Menu and Progress Screen
1. The Configuration Menu and Progress Screen
2. 18.19.1. Set the Root Password
3. 18.19.2. Create a User Account
21. 18.20. Installation Complete
1. Installation Complete
2. 18.20.1. IPL under z/VM
3. 18.20.2. IPL on an LPAR
4. 18.20.3. Continuing after Reboot (re-IPL)
6. 19. Troubleshooting Installation on IBM Z
1. Troubleshooting Installation on IBM Z
2. 19.1. Trouble During the Installation
1. Trouble During the Installation
2. 19.1.1. No Disks Detected
3. 19.1.2. Reporting Traceback Messages
4. 19.1.3. Creating Pre-installation Log Files
3. 19.2. Problems After Installation
1. Problems After Installation
2. 19.2.1. Remote Graphical Desktops and XDMCP
3. 19.2.2. Is Your System Displaying Signal 11 Errors?
7. 20. Configuring an Installed Linux on IBM Z Instance
1. Configuring an Installed Linux on IBM Z Instance
2. 20.1. Adding DASDs
1. Adding DASDs
2. 20.1.1. Dynamically Setting DASDs Online
3. 20.1.2. Preparing a New DASD with Low-level
Formatting
4. 20.1.3. Persistently Setting DASDs Online
1. Persistently Setting DASDs Online
2. 20.1.3.1. DASDs That Are Part of the Root File
System
3. 20.1.3.2. DASDs That Are Not Part of the Root
File System
3. 20.2. Adding FCP-attached Logical Units (LUNs)
1. Adding FCP-attached Logical Units (LUNs)
2. 20.2.1. Dynamically Activating an FCP LUN
3. 20.2.2. Persistently activating FCP LUNs
1. Persistently activating FCP LUNs
2. 20.2.2.1. FCP LUNs That Are Part of the Root
File System
3. 20.2.2.2. FCP LUNs That Are Not Part of the
Root File System
4. 20.3. Adding a Network Device
1. Adding a Network Device
2. 20.3.1. Adding a qeth Device
1. Adding a qeth Device
2. 20.3.1.1. Dynamically Adding a qeth Device
3. 20.3.1.2. Dynamically Removing a qeth Device
4. 20.3.1.3. Persistently Adding a qeth Device
3. 20.3.2. Adding an LCS Device
1. Adding an LCS Device
2. 20.3.2.1. Dynamically Adding an LCS Device
3. 20.3.2.2. Persistently Adding an LCS Device
4. 20.3.3. Configuring a IBM Z Network Device for
Network Root File System
8. 21. Parameter and Configuration Files on IBM Z
1. Parameter and Configuration Files on IBM Z
2. 21.1. Required Parameters
3. 21.2. The z/VM Configuration File
4. 21.3. Installation Network Parameters
5. 21.4. Parameters for Kickstart Installations
6. 21.5. Miscellaneous Parameters
7. 21.6. Sample Parameter File and CMS Configuration File
9. 22. IBM Z References
1. IBM Z References
2. 22.1. IBM Z Publications
3. 22.2. IBM Redbooks Publications for IBM Z
4. 22.3. Online Resources
8. IV. Advanced Installation Options
1. Advanced Installation Options
2. 23. Boot Options
1. Boot Options
2. 23.1. Configuring the Installation System at the Boot
Menu
1. Configuring the Installation System at the Boot Menu
2. 23.1.1. Deprecated and Removed Boot Options
3. 23.2. Using the Maintenance Boot Modes
1. Using the Maintenance Boot Modes
2. 23.2.1. Loading the Memory (RAM) Testing Mode
3. 23.2.2. Verifying Boot Media
4. 23.2.3. Booting Your Computer in Rescue Mode
3. 24. Preparing for a Network Installation
1. Preparing for a Network Installation
2. 24.1. Configuring Network Boot Services
1. Configuring Network Boot Services
2. 24.1.1. Configuring a TFTP Server for BIOS-based
AMD64 and Intel 64 Clients
3. 24.1.2. Configuring a TFTP Server for UEFI-based
AMD64/Intel 64 and ARM Clients
4. 24.1.3. Configuring Network Boot for IBM
Power Systems Using GRUB2
4. 25. Using VNC
1. Using VNC
2. 25.1. Installing a VNC Viewer
3. 25.2. Performing a VNC Installation
1. Performing a VNC Installation
2. 25.2.1. Installing in VNC Direct Mode
3. 25.2.2. Installing in VNC Connect Mode
4. 25.3. Kickstart Considerations
5. 26. Headless Systems
6. 27. Kickstart Installations
1. Kickstart Installations
2. 27.1. What are Kickstart Installations?
3. 27.2. How Do You Perform a Kickstart Installation?
1. How Do You Perform a Kickstart Installation?
2. 27.2.1. Creating a Kickstart File
3. 27.2.2. Maintaining the Kickstart File
1. Maintaining the Kickstart File
2. 27.2.2.1. Verifying the Kickstart File
3. 27.2.2.2. Changes in Kickstart Syntax
4. 27.2.3. Making the Kickstart File Available
5. 27.2.4. Making the Installation Source Available
6. 27.2.5. Starting the Kickstart Installation
1. Starting the Kickstart Installation
2. 27.2.5.1. Starting the Kickstart Installation
Manually
3. 27.2.5.2. Starting the Kickstart Installation
Automatically
4. 27.3. Kickstart Syntax Reference
1. Kickstart Syntax Reference
2. 27.3.1. Kickstart Commands and Options
3. 27.3.2. Package Selection
4. 27.3.3. Pre-installation Script
5. 27.3.4. Anaconda configuration
6. 27.3.5. Post-installation Script
7. 27.3.6. Kickstart error handling
8. 27.3.7. Kickstart Add-ons
5. 27.4. Sample Kickstart Configurations
1. Sample Kickstart Configurations
2. 27.4.1. Advanced Partitioning Example
3. 27.4.2. User Input Example
4. 27.4.3. Example Kickstart file for installing and
starting the RNG daemon
7. 28. Installing into a Disk Image
1. Installing into a Disk Image
2. 28.1. Manual Disk Image Installation
1. Manual Disk Image Installation
2. 28.1.1. Preparing a Disk Image
3. 28.1.2. Installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux into a
Disk Image
3. 28.2. Automatic Disk Image Installation
1. Automatic Disk Image Installation
2. 28.2.1. Overview of livemedia-creator
3. 28.2.2. Installing livemedia-creator
4. 28.2.3. Sample Kickstart Files
5. 28.2.4. Creating Custom Images
1. Creating Custom Images
2. 28.2.4.1. Using lorax to create a boot.iso file
3. 28.2.4.2. Creating a Live Image Using
virt-install
4. 28.2.4.3. Creating a Live Image Using
Anaconda's Image Install
5. 28.2.4.4. Creating a Disk or File System Image
6. 28.2.4.5. Using a Previously Created Disk or
File System Image
7. 28.2.4.6. Creating an Appliance
8. 28.2.4.7. Creating an Amazon Machine Image
(AMI)
9. 28.2.4.8. Additional Arguments
6. 28.2.5. Troubleshooting livemedia-creator Problems
1. Troubleshooting livemedia-creator Problems
2. 28.2.5.1. Stuck Virtual Machine Installation
3. 28.2.5.2. Failed installation using a Virtual
Machine
4. 28.2.5.3. Failed Installation Using Anaconda
8. 29. Upgrading Your Current System
9. V. After Installation
1. After Installation
2. 30. Initial Setup
1. Initial Setup
2. 30.1. Graphical Mode
1. Graphical Mode
2. 30.1.1. Subscription Manager
3. 30.2. Text Mode
4. 30.3. Starting Initial Setup Manually
3. 31. Your Next Steps
4. 32. Basic System Recovery
1. Basic System Recovery
2. 32.1. Common Problems
1. Common Problems
2. 32.1.1. Unable to Boot into Red Hat Enterprise Linux
3. 32.1.2. Hardware and Software Problems
4. 32.1.3. Resetting the Root Password
3. 32.2. Anaconda Rescue Mode
1. Anaconda Rescue Mode
2. 32.2.1. Capturing an sosreport
3. 32.2.2. Reinstalling the Boot Loader
4. 32.2.3. Using RPM to Add, Remove, or Replace a
Driver
5. 33. Unregistering from Red Hat Subscription Management
Services
1. Unregistering from Red Hat Subscription Management
Services
2. 33.1. Systems Registered with Red Hat Subscription
Management
3. 33.2. Systems Registered with Red Hat Satellite
6. 34. Uninstalling Red Hat Enterprise Linux
1. Uninstalling Red Hat Enterprise Linux
2. 34.1. Removing Red Hat Enterprise Linux from 64-bit AMD,
Intel, and ARM Systems
1. Removing Red Hat Enterprise Linux from 64-bit AMD,
Intel, and ARM Systems
2. 34.1.1. Only Red Hat Enterprise Linux is Installed
3. 34.1.2. Red Hat Enterprise Linux installed with a
Different Linux Distribution
4. 34.1.3. Red Hat Enterprise Linux installed with a
Microsoft Windows Operating System
3. 34.2. Removing Red Hat Enterprise Linux from IBM Z
1. Removing Red Hat Enterprise Linux from IBM Z
2. 34.2.1. Running a Different Operating System on Your
z/VM Guest or LPAR
10. VI. Technical Appendixes
1. Technical Appendixes
2. A. An Introduction to Disk Partitions
1. An Introduction to Disk Partitions
2. A.1. Hard Disk Basic Concepts
1. Hard Disk Basic Concepts
2. A.1.1. File Systems
3. A.1.2. Partitions: Turning One Drive Into Many
4. A.1.3. Partitions Within Partitions - An Overview of
Extended Partitions
5. A.1.4. GUID Partition Table (GPT)
3. A.2. Strategies for Disk Repartitioning
1. Strategies for Disk Repartitioning
2. A.2.1. Using Unpartitioned Free Space
3. A.2.2. Using Space from an Unused Partition
4. A.2.3. Using Free Space from an Active Partition
1. Using Free Space from an Active Partition
2. A.2.3.1. Compress Existing Data
3. A.2.3.2. Resize the Existing Partition
4. A.2.3.3. Create new partitions
4. A.3. Partition Naming Schemes and Mount Points
1. Partition Naming Schemes and Mount Points
2. A.3.1. Partition Naming Scheme
3. A.3.2. Disk Partitions and Mount Points
4. A.3.3. How Many Partitions?
3. B. iSCSI Disks
1. iSCSI Disks
2. B.1. iSCSI Disks in Anaconda
3. B.2. iSCSI Disks During Start Up
4. C. Anaconda UI specific commands
1. Anaconda UI specific commands
2. C.1. Commands used in Anaconda
5. D. Understanding LVM
6. E. Other Technical Documentation
7. F. Reference Table for ext4 and XFS Commands
8. G. Data Size Terminology Reference Table
11. H. Revision History
12. Index
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A.3. Partition Naming Schemes and Mount Points
__________________________________________________________________
A common source of confusion for users unfamiliar with Linux is the
matter of how partitions are used and accessed by the Linux operating
system. In DOS/Windows, it is relatively simple: Each partition gets a
"drive letter." You then use the correct drive letter to refer to files
and directories on its corresponding partition. This is entirely
different from how Linux deals with partitions and, for that matter,
with disk storage in general. This section describes the main
principles of partition naming scheme and the way how partitions are
accessed in Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
A.3.1. Partition Naming Scheme
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Red Hat Enterprise Linux uses a naming scheme that is file-based, with
file names in the form of /dev/xxyN.
Device and partition names consist of the following:
/dev/
This is the name of the directory in which all device files
reside. Because partitions reside on hard disks, and hard disks
are devices, the files representing all possible partitions
reside in /dev/.
xx
The first two letters of the partition name indicate the type of
device on which the partition resides, usually sd.
y
This letter indicates which device the partition is on. For
example, /dev/sda for the first hard disk, /dev/sdb for the
second, and so on.
N
The final number denotes the partition. The first four (primary
or extended) partitions are numbered 1 through 4. Logical
partitions start at 5. So, for example, /dev/sda3 is the third
primary or extended partition on the first hard disk, and
/dev/sdb6 is the second logical partition on the second hard
disk.
Note
Even if Red Hat Enterprise Linux can identify and refer to all types of
disk partitions, it might not be able to read the file system and
therefore access stored data on every partition type. However, in many
cases, it is possible to successfully access data on a partition
dedicated to another operating system.
A.3.2. Disk Partitions and Mount Points
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In Red Hat Enterprise Linux each partition is used to form part of the
storage necessary to support a single set of files and directories.
This is done by associating a partition with a directory through a
process known as mounting. Mounting a partition makes its storage
available starting at the specified directory (known as a mount point).
For example, if partition /dev/sda5 is mounted on /usr/, that would
mean that all files and directories under /usr/ physically reside on
/dev/sda5. So the file /usr/share/doc/FAQ/txt/Linux-FAQ would be stored
on /dev/sda5, while the file /etc/gdm/custom.conf would not.
Continuing the example, it is also possible that one or more
directories below /usr/ would be mount points for other partitions. For
instance, a partition (say, /dev/sda7) could be mounted on /usr/local/,
meaning that /usr/local/man/whatis would then reside on /dev/sda7
rather than /dev/sda5.
A.3.3. How Many Partitions?
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At this point in the process of preparing to install Red Hat
Enterprise Linux, you must give some consideration to the number and
size of the partitions to be used by your new operating system.
However, there is no one right answer to this question. It depends on
your needs and requirements.
Keeping this in mind, Red Hat recommends that, unless you have a reason
for doing otherwise, you should at least create the following
partitions: swap, /boot/, and / (root).
For more information, see Section 8.14.4.4, "Recommended Partitioning
Scheme" for AMD64 and Intel 64 systems, Section 13.15.4.4, "Recommended
Partitioning Scheme" for IBM Power Systems servers, and
Section 18.15.3.4, "Recommended Partitioning Scheme" for IBM Z.
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