Debian RAID 1 setup problems
 

Hey Everyone,

I have recently built a new computer, so I decided to use my old one as a web/file/streaming server using Debian. I have installed Debian via Live CD (netinstall method), but I only installed the base system as I want to learn and get familiar with the command line.

I've followed a couple tutorials and just installed the mdadm program. But, once I did it, an interface popped up and ask which arrays to open for RAID, which I chose "all" and then it returned to the command line and it says no arrays are found... In this setup I am running a 60gb HDD that is reserved for the OS and any packages/programs installed, and 2 750gb HDDs for all media files, which I need to mount my /home partition to, but does "no arrays found" mean it doesn't see my 2 750gb HDDs?

In case it matters, my computer/server specs are:
MSI K9N Mobo
8GB OCZ RAMM
AMD Athlon 64 6000+ 3.1ghz Dual Core CPU
2 x 750gb Hard Drives (which need the /home partition mounted to "them" on a RAID 1 setup to use for my music, videos, etc. files)
And a Hitachi? 60gb Hard Drive (for storing the OS and any programs/packages to keep the "media" drives separated)


Any help or possibly leads in the right direction would be great!

Also, I'm not sure how I can view my partitions / disks, and to what they are assigned. I'm not sure if my setup is even recognizing the 2 750gb HDDs (although it did during installation of the CD).

My question to you would be: How did you setup the two 750GB drives as RAID1 during the installation?

You can use the df command to get a quick view of where the filesystems on your drives are mounted.

Finally, could you post the output of:
BTW: If you need to edit your original post, you can click on the Edit button at the buttom of your post to add/remove information from it, no need to reply to your own post.

I didn't setup my 750gb HDDs during the installation. I left them as blank disks and installed everything to the 60gb HDD. I was told that I should be able to setup a RAID 1 configuration with mdadm and mount my /home partition to the 750gb setup after I at least got the system installed. I and did the the "fdisk -l" and the sytem does see the 750gb HDDs.

I guess I just need to figure out how to partition them (maybe mount /home to them first?) and setup the RAID 1 configuration.

If you did not setup a separate /home during the installation, /home will reside on the root filesystem.

First, determine your partitioning scheme. Personally, I have a separate partition for Music, one for Videos and one for Pictures. I then mount them to the respective directories in my /home. You may decide on a different scheme.

Whatever it is, determine this first. Then create the respective partitions on the 750GB drives. Since you are going to be using RAID1, remember, the partitions must match on both drives.

After that, create the RAID arrays with mdadm. Once you've got the arrays assembled and working, you can then mount their filesystems to the respective mount points you chose to.

Finally, you can edit your your /etc/fstab to have the filesystems mount automatically at boot.

Ok. Well, basically I was going to have everything under root (besides a swap) so I could get the OS installed and running. Then I was told in other forums (during installation) just leave /home under the / partition because once I start to / do setup the RAID 1 I can mount the /home directory/partition onto the 750gb HDDs. And I was just planning to leave the /home as one large 750gb partition and seperate everything by folders for now. I figured this would be best until I play around a bit and learn a thing or two. Then I can fully customize it better to my needs.