Second partition on usb stick for /usr/local?

[Scott Johnston]

I'm trying to get EON working on my hw.

I like EON for it's embedded ramdisk execution, but I know I'll be making several additions. (AFP, media servers, etc.)

I don't like the idea of having /usr/local and all my extensions to EON on my data disks.

Is it possible to configure a second partition on the USB for my additions?
The install.sh doesn't make this process clear.

(My alternative is Nexenta Core + napp-it, but it doesn't run "embedded.")

TIA,

SFJ

[Andre Lue]

Hi sfj,

You don't need a partition unless you really want one but it comes at a cost. Power failure or improper power condition may leave the usb key in a manual attention state.

I recommend since /usr/local is done thru symlinks, simply re-align them to point to the usb instead of data disks but keep in mind if anything writes/logs continuously to that location you will be testing the durability/longevity(hence pointing it to zpool) of the USB drive. You may also be performance bound to I/O of the usb depending on the program you are running from there.

AFP, mediatomb and more is already available in the download section, but feel free to compile and share your own.

[Sergei]

Have you considered set zfs mount point to /usr/local instead of symlinking it there ? What are pros/cons of symlinking vs having zfs do it for you ? I think having zfs mount it automatically where you need it will be cleaner and less hassle for the users.

One could even mount say /usr from zpool over ramdisk /usr. (I have not tried it myself though)

[Andre Lue]

Whether /usr/local is a directory on a zfs filesystem or a zfs mount is your choice. They both have pros and cons and allows you to choose accordingly. A symlink or zfs mount to either of these destination or zfs mount is your choice.

I'm not sure a zfs mount of /usr itself would work. Classic chicken and egg situation. The zfs cmd and libs are in the mount you are attempting to mount over but i'd be interested to hear if you experiment with it.