Software Raid 5 Install Druid Issues
 

Hi all,

I'm doing a fresh install of Fedora Core 3 on a server;
- SC450NX Intel server board
- 4 xeon III 550 cpu with 512 cache each, 2 gig cache total
- 2 Gig Mem
- Symbios SCSI built into motherboard
- 6 SCSI SCA Hot Swappable drive plane


I have 6 SCSI Seagate 36 Gb Hard Drives Installed. The machine was built to be a raid server. This all works fine, only issue is raid setup during install.

I want to use Linux Software Raid 5 and set it up during the initial install.

I tried this and run into a couple of problems due to my lack of unix experience and can't find detailed enough instructions.

Since this machine had a non raid install on it previously, when I get to Disk Druid, I've found I need to delete existing partions manually first. Easy enough. Then I can install Raid partitions.

Where I'm lost is in the details and specifically what to do about a boot partition and a swap partition.

Do I install a boot partition first? If so I need help with details
Does this make my first hard drive smaller due to some space going to a boot partition? Doesn't this mess up the symetry of 6 equal raid drives?
Or can I make the booting part of my Raid setup so i simply have six equal partitions, again need help w/how to?
Or do I just need my root to be my starting raid mount point, but how?

I've read that a swap partiton may be of marginal use to equipment like mine? true? or do I need it and if so, same questions as with boot as to details.

I tried creating boot and swap partitions, then the raid partitions, but then it wouldn't let me choose the "/" root as the mount point for the Raid. At this point I'm getting confused and my remaining choices, like /home, seem to indicate only a part of my system will be raid (that part under /home). See I told you I was easily confused!

Basic Instructions will be very helpful, ie; do this THEN this, THEN this
Details will be even better

Sadly, I have no unix geeks at office to help me, I need to struggle through this with whatever help I can find here :P But I'd galddy send a paypal reward to anyone who wanted to talk or IM me through it.

Thx VERY much all,

2nats AT weblabs.com