Drive Parition and Program Installation
new server has 12GB C partion with OS installed on it
same physical drive also has E partition with 55GB space.
do i need to install programs on the same partition as the OS and use the 55GB E drive as data storage only?
windows server 2003 r2 enterprise
same physical drive also has E partition with 55GB space.
do i need to install programs on the same partition as the OS and use the 55GB E drive as data storage only?
windows server 2003 r2 enterprise
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ASKER
ok. i know most programs need to update the registry, which is part of the OS. i just wasnt sure if they would be able to do that if i specify a non-OS partition as their installation point.
i like the idea of having my C drive only OS. just wasn't sure if it would work to install the programs on an alternate drive.
will this have an impact on program updates? for example, SQL Server 2005 program (not the database... that is going on a different array) has a service pack2. let's say i install SQL Server program on E: . will the service pack properly install?
i just want to make sure i understand all of the potential problems with installing programs on non-OS partition.
i like the idea of having my C drive only OS. just wasn't sure if it would work to install the programs on an alternate drive.
will this have an impact on program updates? for example, SQL Server 2005 program (not the database... that is going on a different array) has a service pack2. let's say i install SQL Server program on E: . will the service pack properly install?
i just want to make sure i understand all of the potential problems with installing programs on non-OS partition.
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It doesn't matter to Windows or to updates which drive you install your programs on. The locations are recorded in the registry.
However, you would be better advised to increase the size of your C:\ drive as suggested by The_Kirschi and to install the OS AND programs on that partition and then to move My Documents and all other moveable data, like outlook.pst, to the E:\ partition.
My Documents can be moved by right clicking on the My Docs folder icon in Windows Explorer, select Properties, click the Move button, then navigate to the new location.
Alan.
However, you would be better advised to increase the size of your C:\ drive as suggested by The_Kirschi and to install the OS AND programs on that partition and then to move My Documents and all other moveable data, like outlook.pst, to the E:\ partition.
My Documents can be moved by right clicking on the My Docs folder icon in Windows Explorer, select Properties, click the Move button, then navigate to the new location.
Alan.
Two conflicting views take your pick. I lost track of the fact that we're talking about a server. :o)
Hi zephyr_hex,
I haven't experienced any problems in almost 10 years now when I installed programs on other partitions than the OS partition. Not with SQL Server, not with Exchange. All service packs and updates should install properly. It doesn't matter to the OS where the program was installed. It just needs to find the program where it was installed. And that's regardless of the partition.
Nevertheless it may be useful to resize your C: drive. Of course it depends on how much software you will install on the server but 12 gig are not that much.
Hope that answers your question.
I haven't experienced any problems in almost 10 years now when I installed programs on other partitions than the OS partition. Not with SQL Server, not with Exchange. All service packs and updates should install properly. It doesn't matter to the OS where the program was installed. It just needs to find the program where it was installed. And that's regardless of the partition.
Nevertheless it may be useful to resize your C: drive. Of course it depends on how much software you will install on the server but 12 gig are not that much.
Hope that answers your question.
ASKER
thanks. since this server is not yet in production, i am going to give installation of programs on E partition a shot. if i keep C to just the OS, 12G should be plenty. 55G on E drive should be plenty for programs. if, in the future, i need more data storage, it's not a big deal to add a drive. however, that process becomes more complicated if C partition gets full....
yeah, thats true. but GParted should even help you in such cases...
if you are installing databases then my comment may differ