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Although somewhat difficult, it is possible to set up machines with software RAID 1 as part of their boot. However, this is lost on kernel upgrades. Would like to see it easier to install initial RAID especially for "/" and also easy upgrades.
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I'm kinda frustrated my idea #1855 got dupe'd in favor of this one. But since there's already a bunch of votes here, let me see if this Comment function will give me enough room to add my suggestions:
>> Install Wizard and GUI for software RAID mirror
I love using two hard-drives in a mirror configuration, but I hate how 'manual' the process is. First, I had to install using the Alternate CD and then manually specify the 'md' partitions. Now that it's installed, I have to manually check the status from a command-line. If I lose a drive, it appears that I'll have to manually recreate the 'md' partitions on the replacement drive and then manually initiate a resync. And all these steps have needed to be researched individually.
Couldn't this all be automated?
What I would like to see:
1. The partitioning wizard (on the regular install CD) should include an option for setting-up a software mirror. If it detects the presence of 2 hard-drives it can be labeled "Create mirror (this will delete the 2nd drive)" etc. If it does not detect a 2nd drive it can say, "Your current drive will be prepped for mirroring; when you install another drive it will automatically be detected and you will be prompted If you would like it to become the mirror-drive." Behind the scenes, this will simply setup the partitions as 'md' type even if they're incomplete (missing the 2nd drive).
2. The GRUB boot-files, MBR, etc should automatically be installed on both drives so that you can still boot the system regardless of which drive is removed or breaks.
3. There should be a GUI for monitoring the status of the RAID. It should automatically be installed if you selected 'mirror' mode during install.
4. This same GUI would alert you to any problems with the mirror, including if one of the drives has started to develop bad sectors (since this is the most common problem). In this way you could effortlessly replace old/flaky drives, i.e., on your own schedule and with no downtime.
5. If you replace either of the drives, you will still be able to boot the system (see item #2) and then you will simply be prompted if you would like to rebuild the mirror.
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captain
wrote on the 6 Mar 08 at 20:56
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I completely agree with sdsalsero on all ideas. I installed RAID 0 manually and it was such an arduous process. There isn't even good documentation for it. I don't have any idea what will happen when I try to upgrade to Hardy either. Being able to install RAID from both Live CD and Alternate CD installers is necessary (along with encrypted partitions).
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Every other distribution supports dmraid installations, it's rather embarrasing that Ubuntu does not, especially given the deal with Dell since they have a number of machines that ship with dmraid out of the box. These will thus be completely useless for Ubuntu.
Also currently if you install onto an mdraid, putting /boot on a raid1 will install but fail at boot, another simple little thing that should just work.
*sigh*
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All the comments are great so far and I'd really like to see this implemented. However, at the time of this post this only has 238 votes. Any ideas on how we can market this more. Maybe talk to one of the planet.ubuntu.com guy and have them add it to a blog? I just bought 3 750GB hard drives with absolutely no luck setting up a raid 0, 1 or 5 while following word for word the instructions posted on ubuntu.com (screencast and community support). This has to be made easier and zeroconfig.
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godshah
wrote on the 14 Jun 08 at 18:16
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i also like this to be implemented i cannot seem to install it on my laptop cause if RAID configuration. it will get my vote for sure where do i vote please guide me and can also donate some money towards the project :)
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franc3
wrote on the 24 Jul 08 at 20:08
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dm-support is a good step, but I think it's not enough.
dm-support can cause a lot of problems especialy if you change your motherboard, and your BIOS Raid controller isn't the same on the new board.
I think sdsalsero's idea is the best one : add an option for software Raid during Ubuntu install (idea #1855) and add a GUI wich can alert users about Raid errors, and help them to replace a damaged disk.
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Blueprint dmraid-support:
