xfs-questions

xfs-questions

[Wim Janssen]

Hello Folks,

Yesterday I downloaded from the SGI-ftpsite the module:
       kernel-module-xfs-2.6.9-22.EL-0.1-1.src.rpm
This because I like to work with the xfs-filesystem on my storage-unit.
 ( a Dell PowerEdge1950 with a MD1000-diskarray )
As Eric pointed out in the readme-file he tested it a bit with the 
2.6.9-22 kernel
and it might also work with other RHEL kernels.
On my storage-unit I installed the 64-bit RHEL4 AS with the kernel:
   2.6.9-42.ELsmp  x86_64

My questions:
- If I install the xfs-module, how can I test that it is working 
properly ???
- How can I be sure about the stability ???
  Do you have some test about this ???
- Does a more recent version of the module exists ???
- How do I have to deal with the kernel-updates I get from RedHat ???
- Can you give me some hints/advice how to proceed and avoid difficulties.
  Because the storage-unit is going to be a very critical part of our 
IT-infra-structure.

For many years I have worked with the xfs-filesystem on the SGI Indigo- and
Challenge-systems and was always very pleased with the stability, 
performance
and managability. That's why I consider to implement the xfs-filesystem 
for our storage-unit.
I hope you can help me with my questions.

Kind regards and many thanks in advance,

                                                                         
                                   Wim Janssen
P.S.
It would be nice if I can report a success in the neaar future.

-- 
 Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen  Phone: +31(0)24-3652097  [ Wim Janssen ]
 Hoge Energie Fysica              Fax: +31(0)24-3652191   Systeembeheer        
 Toernooiveld 1            E-mail: W.Janssen@hef.ru.nl
 6525 ED  Nijmegen            URL: http://www.hef.ru.nl

Re: xfs-questions

[Eric Sandeen]

Wim Janssen wrote:
> Hello Folks,
> 
> Yesterday I downloaded from the SGI-ftpsite the module:
>        kernel-module-xfs-2.6.9-22.EL-0.1-1.src.rpm
> This because I like to work with the xfs-filesystem on my storage-unit.
>  ( a Dell PowerEdge1950 with a MD1000-diskarray )
> As Eric pointed out in the readme-file he tested it a bit with the 
> 2.6.9-22 kernel
> and it might also work with other RHEL kernels.
> On my storage-unit I installed the 64-bit RHEL4 AS with the kernel:
>    2.6.9-42.ELsmp  x86_64

I would suggest
http://sandeen.net/rhel4_xfs/kernel-module-xfs-2.6.9-42.0.2.EL-0.2-1.src.rpm

which is a little more up to date; see also
http://sandeen.net/rhel4_xfs/
for more info

> My questions:
> - If I install the xfs-module, how can I test that it is working 
> properly ???

you could use the xfstests suite in xfs cvs

> - How can I be sure about the stability ???

or you could test it in your environment

>   Do you have some test about this ???
> - Does a more recent version of the module exists ???

see above

> - How do I have to deal with the kernel-updates I get from RedHat ???

This does not change your kernel, though it may change your support when
it's loaded.  When you update your rh kernel, you'll need to rebuild the
above src.rpm for the new kernel.

> - Can you give me some hints/advice how to proceed and avoid difficulties.
>   Because the storage-unit is going to be a very critical part of our 
> IT-infra-structure.

Then you should test the heck out of it before it's fully deployed :)

Let me know if you have trouble,

Thanks,
-Eric

> For many years I have worked with the xfs-filesystem on the SGI Indigo- and
> Challenge-systems and was always very pleased with the stability, 
> performance
> and managability. That's why I consider to implement the xfs-filesystem 
> for our storage-unit.
> I hope you can help me with my questions.
> 
> Kind regards and many thanks in advance,
> 
>                                                                          
>                                    Wim Janssen
> P.S.
> It would be nice if I can report a success in the neaar future.
> 

Re: xfs-questions

[Roger Heflin]

Eric Sandeen wrote:
> Wim Janssen wrote:
>> Hello Folks,
>>
>> Yesterday I downloaded from the SGI-ftpsite the module:
>>        kernel-module-xfs-2.6.9-22.EL-0.1-1.src.rpm
>> This because I like to work with the xfs-filesystem on my storage-unit.
>>  ( a Dell PowerEdge1950 with a MD1000-diskarray )
>> As Eric pointed out in the readme-file he tested it a bit with the 
>> 2.6.9-22 kernel
>> and it might also work with other RHEL kernels.
>> On my storage-unit I installed the 64-bit RHEL4 AS with the kernel:
>>    2.6.9-42.ELsmp  x86_64
> 
> I would suggest
> http://sandeen.net/rhel4_xfs/kernel-module-xfs-2.6.9-42.0.2.EL-0.2-1.src.rpm
> 
> which is a little more up to date; see also
> http://sandeen.net/rhel4_xfs/
> for more info
> 

Eric,

Very nice, it is very annoying the Redhat has a 8TB limit
on filesystems.

I am testing it with 2.6.9-42.0.3.

                          Roger

Re: xfs-questions

[Eric Sandeen]

Roger Heflin wrote:

> Eric,
> 
> Very nice, it is very annoying the Redhat has a 8TB limit
> on filesystems.

Well, ext3 can do 16T now... upstream and in RHEL5 as a preview.  Feel 
free to test that too if you need a RHEL-supported solution (and if 16T 
is enough for you).

> I am testing it with 2.6.9-42.0.3.

Great, let me know if you have trouble.

Thanks,
-Eric

>                          Roger
>