I have a mysql database server (RAID config with 3 disks) that I recently added a new hard drive for storing backup files of a database(the new disk is not in the RAID, just extra storage).

I created a partition table on the new drive,
Checked for bad blocks (none found),
Then tried to create a reiserfs filesystem on the disk as was recommended to me in another thread.
However, it appears that I don't have the reiserfs utility installed on the machine...
Should I try something else or should I really try to install reiserfs?
Is it safe to install on the server? (I don't want to have any downtime or problems with the server.)
If it is safe, how do I do this?
I found instructions on ibm's website here
but I don't really know how to download the tar.gz file so that it is in the /tmp folder. Do I download it to my PC then ftp it or something? If so how do I ftp from my local PC in the command line? Or do I download it directly from namesys in the terminal window?

Would it be less hassle and safer (since I would be less likely to screw something up in the install of reiserfs) to just use a different filesystem?
What are the advantages/disadvantages of using a different file system?
How can I find out which filesystems are enabled on the server?

Thanks for putting up with my newbie questions
- John

Why don't you just use ext3 as suggested at the end of that other thread ???.
At least you know that support is in your kernel.

Much better option IMHO.