New Server
 

ok. I ordered a dual opteron quad core with 16gb of ram. I will be using this machine with CentOS 5.1 64bit. What is the best way to setup the machine as far as the partitioning goes? I am using the machine as a LAMP machine mostly with some intensive python scripts scheduled. I want to get the maximum bang out of this machine as I can. Any tips? I am not going to be installing a window manager, all command line only type of stuff and I am fairly green to performance tuning an install. . .

If you're going to use it as a LAMP server, then I would create separate partitions for the website, mysql, boot, and tmp. You might want to create a separate home partition, too!

How would this help? I am green remember. . . ;)

If you partition those directories separately, then it minimizes the chances of losing files at once. For example, a sector on your drive may become defective, or the partition table is damaged, but at least you are able to go to another partition on the drive and recover the rest of the files. Also, limiting the size of your /tmp is a good idea because then it won't eat up your entire / partition. It also makes backup and restoration easier when you have separation partitions.