Partitioning Linux system across 2 HDDs

Operating Systems & Open Source Linux
1

In my system I have a 128gb SSD that I want to install Arch onto but I also have a 1tb mechanical HDD that I need to use somehow. I plan on running a larger Windows VM for games and it will be located somewhere in /var and I want things like my music collection to be stored on the HDD. I guess I just need help on how to partition the drive and then where to mount it to. Any help would be appreciated!

I think Zoltan once mentioned something about using a small part of the SSD as a cache for the HDD.. if you're here Zoltan please elaborate lol.

2

Read this:

http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/advanced-hard-drive-caching-techniques

Also checkout FlashCache.

3

vm overlays should go in a directory in /home

in that case, mechanical hdd is /home, SSD is /.

Simple, effective.

Btrfs on /, ZFS on /home. Pure luxury tbh.

4

to be honest I do like to keep a separate /boot/EFI partition to keep windows from being bad.

5

OP planned on using a Windows guest, probably a kvm container. No Windows boot on bare metal is necessary I think. Useful remark though just in case, it's always better to have a 500 MB separate /boot partition if you're dual booting with Windows! Absofuckinglutely +1 on that!

6

Oh yeah make sure you have a swap partition equivalent to your RAM in size on the SSD that will be your catch.

7

No no no no NO - no comment. lol

8

care to explain I always like to learn new things