Organizing a multi disk system. 2

[Gouverneur]

I have a system with three physical disks. The following organization seems like a good idea to me.

1st disk: OS and applications software.
2nd disk: All data files.
3rd disk: OS awap file and backup images for first two.

I think the above should minimize head movement, which takes milliseconds, gaining some overall efficiency. I think that minimizing head movement should also increase mean time to disk failure.

Does the above seem correct? Does it seem reasonable?

Some of my friends have two physical disks. It seems like a good idea to put the OS and applications software on the first disk, and data files on the second.

Where should the OS Swap file go for a two disk system? Does this depend on the type of user? For example, consider the following types of user.

A user who hardly ever uses more than one application. He gets on the internet and that is all he does. Or perhaps he uses a word processor for long periods of time.

A user who keeps several applications open and switches from one to another frequently.

A user who keeps several applications open, but does tends to use one for 15-30 minutes before switching to another.

Any thots on either of the above systems? Eschew obfuscation!
If one hundred million people believe a foolish idea, it is still a foolish idea!

 

[butchrecon]

The setup you have listed is quite nice. Now to further. I would suggest putting the SWAP file on the FASTEST drive that does not contain the system files (Either disk 2 or 3) Find out which one is fastest and put it there. Other than that you are set. Have any questions let us know. James Collins
Field Service Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.

 

[paulwood]

Since I run a similar setup, I have to admit to bias, but having different disks rather than partitions is a much safer way to go IMO. I have the added luxury of a server, so all the backups get copied automatically to that, then archived, so my setup is

Disk1 - System
Disk2 - Applications and Swapfile
Disk3 - Data

Call me paranoid, but it does make a system reinstall less traumatic! I am with James on the Swapfile thing, I don't think usage makes much difference, put it on the fastest disk as suggested.

 

[Malakili]

Just a though on the swap file issue, i read a few days ago a suggestion to actually use your ram for the swap file, give it say a 256 stick and force windows to use it, apparently, you get a noticable speed difference doing this, I must admit it does sound a bit dubious, wouldn`t windows do better just using the memory anyone as opposed to resorting to the swap file in the first place?

Malakili