Re: using evms as a sort of mdadm front end

[email protected] wrote on 09/13/2009 12:11:27 AM:

> Hi,
>
> Before I install EVMS on my Centos 5.3x64 box (unsure it will even
> install), I would like to know wether I need to even build a new
> kernel if all I desire is a GUI to create, manage, rebuild software
> Raids formatted using XFS file system.
>
> I'm fine with mdadm cli, however I have some users that would prefer a
> GUI and have threatened me with installing OpenSolaris for its web
> front end to ZFS Raid management.
>
> I'm sure OpenSolaris is a fine OS but would rather stick to Centos.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> - aurf

You do not have to build a new kernel to use EVMS.  Unless you use the
bbr_seg plug-in, EVMS has no runtime code; it just does configuration.

You can use EVMS to setup your MD devices.  However, note that EVMS will
use device-mapper instead of MD for linear and RAID0 mappings.  That's
because the linear and RAID0 mapping can be done easily and with a shorter
code path by using device-mapper.  The MD kernel component does not have to
get involved.  EVMS does use the MD kernel component for RAID1 (mirroring)
and RAID4/RAID5.

Although you can probably use mdadm to manage arrays created by EVMS, it is
better to stick with EVMS once you have started using it.  For example,
EVMS stores some extra metadata in the MD superblock area that mdadm won't
preserve since it knows nothing about it.

Steve D.


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