Disks and partition in Linux:

 

Disks and partitions in Linux:

A partition is like a logical disk, like C: or D: in windows. Normally your will have more
drive letters than actual physical hard disks in your system. This is because hard
disk is partitioned into setctions. In linux the first hard disk is known is hda and
second is known as hdb. The partitioned are numbered in sequence hda1,hda2,hdb1,hdb2
and so on . Each of physical disk will have one primary partition and a number of logical
partitions. Windows calls the first primary partition on the first disk C:, the second
primary partition on the the second disk D:, and so on through the disks. Next it gives letters in
order to all the other partitions on the first disk, then on the second, and so on.

Because of this, changing the Operating System type to Linux on a partition can change
your windows drive letters. Ther bst way to avoid this is to use the last logical partition on your
system for linux.

Linux is installed on a partition called Root, denoted by / (the forward slash character)
.You can also add other partitions you want to use. It is normal to reserve a small
partition(128 MB MegaBytes or less for “swap” partition.Other directories which can usefully have their own partition

include /home and /user.

 

swap partition in Linux:

The swap partition in Linux is used for virtual memory, so you can run many programs
at the same time. If you don’t have a partition for swap and your install program
let’s you omit it.You can add a swap file instead.

How can I resize or add partitions in Linux:
You can resize and add partitions in Linux using 3rd party software, or use the freeware FIPS on the Linux CD,
Some Installers include a partition resizer, but be sure to read all the instructions fully!

Note: Always backup your disks before resizing partitions in case of problems.

If you are creating new linux partitions, or reusing unwanted space,choose to format them.Never format a partition
containing data you want to keep.

Choose which software packages to install. Most distributions allow you to to choose
large groups or individual packages. Remember Printer support if you have one, and development packages if you want to do any programming.

When you select your mouse type remember to enable “Emulate 3 Buttons” if your mouse only has two, as Linux needs three buttons.

If the install procedures cannot guess your video card choose yours from the list.
If yourse is not there try VGA or SVGA.You may also have to select your monitor type-if you can’t find your
you can try Generic or Generic Multisync.If asked, allow it to probe your video card.

If you have the disk space choose the development packages anyway, as some Linux sofware is distributed as
“source” which will require these utilities to be able to run it.

Answer miscellaneous questions including; LAN(Network) settings, which timezone you
are in, and which services 10 run(usually the defaults are adequate)

You can choose a printer and modem. Remember Linux calls LPTl:”lp0″ and LPT2; “lpl’.COMl: is “ttys0”, up to COM3:(“ttys2”)

Older versions of Linux with kernels less than 2.2.0 use the names “lp1” and “lp2” for LPT1 and LPT2 respectively.

Choose a root password “root” is the superuser, used for all administrative commands, so this is very important Don’t forget or reveal
the password.

Sometimes you can also add one or more ordinary users.Enter your name, login name and password.

Finally confugure how linux will be booted. It is recommended that you make a boot or diskette for use in emergency and configure LILO, the boot loader, for normal
situations. You can place LILO on the linux partition itself, or on the windows Master Boot Record. I recommend the letter as this is
usually the boot partition. If you don have a windows partition you should add it to the LILO configuration if possible. You may want ot make it the default
boot option.
You can skip LILO if you want and use the boot diskette instead, or use LoadLin.

Hard disks are divided into “cylinders”. if you have a hard disk over aound 4Gb, and want to use LILO, you must create a
small partition(less that 5MB) called “/boot”, located before cylinder 1024, or make sure the root partition is lower that this limit.