On 2020-10-11 09:45, mick crane wrote:
Bearing in mind I rarely do installs and when I do usually let the
installer do its thing.
Got a PC that has SSD and a HDD. I see that you are supposed to avoid
writes to SSD for longevity.
Is it a matter of putting entries in fstab for /swap /var /home to
suitably formatted partitions on HDD ?
Or is there more to it ?
First, backup any data you want to keep.
Then run the manufacturer diagnostics for both the SSD and the HDD. Run
all the tests. Zero all the blocks on the HDD. "Secure erase" the SSD.
If anything fails, run any repair functions and test, zero/erase
again. Recycle any device that fails or is questionable.
It would help if you told us how you plan to use the computer, and what
kind of network it fits into.
I would do my typical install onto the SSD. I believe the installer,
boot loader, and/or kernel, etc., are now smart enough to detect the SSD
and adjust accordingly. For ordinary workloads, I would not worry about
wearing out the SSD.
If you know that you will be running a workload that is going to do
heavy I/O onto a particular filesystem, consider:
1. Adding RAM and using tmpfs, as previously suggested. This should
provide excellent performance (best?).
2. Add device(s) specifically made for heavy I/O (e.g. enterprise
SSD's). Monitor regularly.
3. Pick sacrificial device(s) and monitor them frequently.
I use pairs of HDD's in ZFS mirrors for storage of bulk data.
I use single HDD's in shock-mounted mobile racks for backup/ archive media.
David
