Hi,

I want to install more than 3 linux distributions on single disk - my test machine.
Is it possible to create boot partition on logical partition whitch resides in extended partition (and boot successfuly of course)?
My boot loader lives elswere (primary partition or MBR).

thanks
Vilius

Only M$oft loaders require primary partitions for boot code.
However, I'm confused by thisIf your loader lives elsewhere, why do you need (another) separate boot partition ?.

I need separate boot partition for every distribution because I'm planning to use lvm.
If primary partition is not required for kernel images - how about bootloader partition(not MBR) - is it required to be primary ?

Vilius

Read my previous answer - I made no mention of kernel image.

Ello Villus,

Every hard disk has a partition table with only four entries in it.
which are the entries for the primary partition. Windows could be installed only in primary partitions. If an entry in partition table is made for a extended partition, that gives a separate additional partition table which does not have any limit. Say divisions inside a division. Linux could be installed in extended partitions also. so inside a extended partition you could install several OS.

hope my answer would be helpful to you.


this link has the basics of partitioning..
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/l...artitions.html

Ok I must understand why separate boot partition is recommended in lvm case.
If I use lvm, separate boot partition is recommended because:
1. Because boot loader won't find kernel images on lvm logical volume.
2. It is needed for bootloader installation itself if decision is made not to install to MBR.

Whitch one is it ?

V

The former - grub (classic) has no LVM support that I'm aware of. One of the reason I don't use LVM.
You could get away with just one (non-LVM) boot partition, but you'd have to copy all the kernel (and initrd) there, and manually maintain the menu.lst stanzas.
As you had presumably planned, it might make sense the give them each a boot partition and chainload them individually.

Ugh - are you sure you really need LVM on all of them ?.

Extended partitions are limited. 15 under sata IIRC, and 63 or so for IDE (could be more, don't really remember)

I don't need lvm support for all distributions, but I need a possibility to install them that way after I done my partitioning scheme.
About limits - I was lucky that I decided to buy IDE

Just one more question:
How about bootloader partition requirements(I'm talking about partition boot sector not MBR) - partition should be primary ? For example:
Bootloader install time(grub lilo) - primary partition required ?
Chainnload time( when my installed bootloader is chainloaded) - primary partition required ?

thanks
Vilius

Chainloaded grubs don't need to be on primaries.

And how about lilo ?

Being new to Linux but working with it now, I have a question for you. If you are trying to install three separate systems, why not use XEN and install virtual machines?

If you want to directly load a partiton's boot sector by making it active, it should be a primary partition. I think GRUB can chainload to a logical partition's boot sector, however.
And you could also consider using GRUB's "configfile" command if you are going from one GRUB to another.

Vilius,

Essential reading for your situation, I think.

“How to Install & Boot 145 operating systems”

http://www.justlinux.com/forum/showthread.php?t=147959

Changes to recent kernels have caused a reduction in the headline figure of OSs but the principle of operation is basically the same. Reference is also made to LVMs.