-<!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook V3.1//EN">\r
-\r
-<article>\r
-\r
-<!-- Header -->\r
-\r
- <artheader>\r
- <title>Free Software Development HOWTO</title>\r
-\r
- <author>\r
- <firstname>Benjamin</firstname>\r
- <othername>Mako</othername>\r
- <surnamen>Hill</surname>\r
- <affiliation>\r
- <address>\r
- <email>mako@debian.org</email>\r
- </address>\r
- </affiliation>\r
- </author>\r
-\r
- <revhistory>\r
- <revision>\r
- <revnumber>v0.01</revnumber>\r
- <date>1 January 2001</date>\r
- <authorinitials>bch</authorinitials>\r
- <revremark>\r
- Initial Release\r
- </revremark>\r
- </revision>\r
- </revhistory>\r
-\r
- <abstract>\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>fswd</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- This HOWTO is designed for people with experience in programming\r
- and some skills in managing a software project but who are new to\r
- the world of Free Software. This document is meant to act as a\r
- guide to the non-technical aspects of programming and is meant as\r
- a crash course in the people skills that can make or break a free\r
- software project.\r
- </para>\r
- </abstract>\r
-\r
- </artheader>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: intro -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="intro">\r
- <title>Introduction</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>fswd!introduction</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- For various reasons this brand new release is codenamed the\r
- <emphasis>release</emphasis> release.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- New code names will appear as per industry standard\r
- guidelines to emphasize the state-of-the-art-ness of this\r
- document.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- This document was written when I read a feedback asking for a\r
- template to fill in to make new HOWTOs. This template was\r
- initially made by extracting the skeletal structure of the Multi\r
- Disk HOWTO which is a rather large HOWTO. It then went through\r
- extensive editing.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Stating the background is a simple way to getting started\r
- writing the intro.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- First of all we need a bit of legalese. Recent development\r
- shows it is quite important.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: copyright -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="copyright">\r
- <title>Copyright Information</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- This document is copyrighted (c) 2000 Stein Gjoen and is\r
- distributed under the terms of the Linux Documentation Project\r
- (LDP) license, stated below. <emphasis>Replace with your name,\r
- or supply a new license, when you use this skeleton for a new\r
- HOWTO.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Unless otherwise stated, Linux HOWTO documents are\r
- copyrighted by their respective authors. Linux HOWTO documents may\r
- be reproduced and distributed in whole or in part, in any medium\r
- physical or electronic, as long as this copyright notice is\r
- retained on all copies. Commercial redistribution is allowed and\r
- encouraged; however, the author would like to be notified of any\r
- such distributions.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- All translations, derivative works, or aggregate works\r
- incorporating any Linux HOWTO documents must be covered under this\r
- copyright notice. That is, you may not produce a derivative work\r
- from a HOWTO and impose additional restrictions on its\r
- distribution. Exceptions to these rules may be granted under\r
- certain conditions; please contact the Linux HOWTO coordinator at\r
- the address given below.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- In short, we wish to promote dissemination of this\r
- information through as many channels as possible. However, we do\r
- wish to retain copyright on the HOWTO documents, and would like to\r
- be notified of any plans to redistribute the HOWTOs.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- If you have any questions, please contact \r
- <email>linux-howto@metalab.unc.edu</email>\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: disclaimer -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="disclaimer">\r
- <title>Disclaimer</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- No liability for the contents of this documents can be accepted.\r
- Use the concepts, examples and other content at your own risk.\r
- As this is a new edition of this document, there may be errors\r
- and inaccuracies, that may of course be damaging to your system.\r
- Proceed with caution, and although this is highly unlikely,\r
- the author(s) do not take any responsibility for that.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- All copyrights are held by their by their respective owners, unless\r
- specifically noted otherwise. Use of a term in this document\r
- should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark\r
- or service mark.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Naming of particular products or brands should not be seen \r
- as endorsements.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- You are strongly recommended to take a backup of your system \r
- before major installation and backups at regular intervals.\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: newversions-->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="newversions">\r
- <title>New Versions</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>(your index root)!news on</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- This is where you make a summary of what is new. When a\r
- HOWTO exceeds 20 pages it takes more than a casual read to find\r
- the updates. This is where you help your readers with that,\r
- alerting them to specific and important updates to the document.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- This is the initial release.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Tell people where the document home page is so the very\r
- newest release could be found in case of problems with the main\r
- <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/">Linux Documentation\r
- Project</ulink> homepage.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- The following is a sample from the Multi Disk HOWTO:\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- The latest version number of this document can be \r
- gleaned from my plan entry if you \r
- <ulink url="http://www.cs.indiana.edu/finger/nox.nyx.net/sgjoen">\r
- finger</ulink> my Nyx account.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>If you have the capability, it would be nice to \r
- make the HOWTO available in a number of formats.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- The newest version of this HOWTO will always be made available on\r
- my website, in a variety of formats:\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <itemizedlist>\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink url="http://www.nyx.net/~sgjoen/disk.html">HTML</ulink>.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink URL="http://www.nyx.net/~sgjoen/disk.txt">plain text</ulink>.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink url="http://www.nyx.net/~sgjoen/disk-US.ps.gz">compressed \r
- postscript (US letter format)</ulink>.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink url="http://www.nyx.net/~sgjoen/disk.sgml">SGML source</ulink>.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
- </itemizedlist>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Note that paper sizes vary in the world, A4 and US letter differ \r
- significantly. You might also wish to consider using the \r
- <emphasis>universal format</emphasis> (8.27x11in; 210x279mm). \r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: credits -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="credits">\r
- <title>Credits</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>It is always nice to acknowledge people who help you\r
- with input; it is also regarded by many as important in the\r
- Linux world new economy.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- In this version I have the pleasure of acknowledging:\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <email>name (at) site.org</email>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>Please scramble the addresses so email harvesters\r
- cannot get addresses from your HOWTO and then spam people. That\r
- has happened in the past.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>Somecompany</emphasis> is acknowledged for sending me\r
- documentation on their gizmos as well as permission to quote from\r
- the material. These quotes have been approved before appearing\r
- here and will be clearly labeled.\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: feedback -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="feedback">\r
- <title>Feedback</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Feedback is most certainly welcome for this document. Without\r
- your submissions and input, this document wouldn't exist. Please\r
- send your additions, comments and criticisms to the following\r
- email address : <email>sgjoen@nyx.net</email>.\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: translations -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="translations">\r
- <title>Translations</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Not everyone speaks English, pointers to translations are nice.\r
- Also your translators tend to give very important inputs.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <itemizedlist>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink url="http://linuxdoc.org/">German Translation</ulink>\r
- by <email>someone (at) somewhere.de</email>\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink url="http://linuxdoc.org/">French Translation</ulink>\r
- by <email>someone (at) somewhere.fr</email>\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink url="http://linuxdoc.org/">Italian Translation</ulink>\r
- by <email>someone (at) somewhere.it</email>\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
- </itemizedlist>\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: intro: END -->\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: starting -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="starting">\r
- <title>Starting a Project</title>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: chooseproject-->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="chooseproject">\r
- <title>Choosing a Project</title>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: chooselicense-->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="chooselicense">\r
- <title>Deciding on a License</title>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: chooseversioning-->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="chooseversioning">\r
- <title>Choosing a Method of Version Numbering</title>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: documentation-->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="documentation">\r
- <title>Documentation</title>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: presentation -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="presentation">\r
- <title>Other Presentation Issues</title>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: futuredev -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="futuredev">\r
- <title>Nuturing Future Development</title>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: starting: END -->\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: developers -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="developers">\r
- <title>Maintaining a Project: Interacting with Developers</title>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: delegation -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="delegation">\r
- <title>Delegating Work</title>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: branches -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="branches">\r
- <title>Stable and Development Branches</title>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: freezing -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="freezing">\r
- <title>Freezing</title>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: codecram -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="codecram">\r
- <title>Avoiding the Code Cram Effect</title>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: patching -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="patching">\r
- <title>Accepting and Rejecting Patches</title>\r
- </sect2>\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: users -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="users">\r
- <title>Maintaining a Project: Interacting with Users</title>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: announcing -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="announcing">\r
- <title>Announcing Your Project</title>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: testing -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="testing">\r
- <title>Testing and Testers</title>\r
- </sect2>\r
-</sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: samples -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="samples">\r
- <title>Samples</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>This section gives some simple SGML examples you could\r
- use. Read the SGML source to see how it was done.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Further information and examples can be obtained from the publication\r
- <ulink url="http://docbook.org/tdg/html/">DocBook: The Definitive \r
- Guide</ulink>. Written by <emphasis>Norman Walsh</emphasis>\r
- and <emphasis>Leonard Muellner</emphasis>; 1st Edition, October 1999.\r
- </para>\r
- \r
-<!-- Section2: lists -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="lists">\r
- <title>Lists</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>Lists are used frequently, and are available in a number\r
- of formats shown below.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- A list in which each entry is marked with a bullet or other dingbat:\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <itemizedlist>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>Apples</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>Oranges</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>Bananas</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- </itemizedlist>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- A list in which each entry is composed of a set of one or more\r
- terms and an associated description:\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <variablelist>\r
-\r
- <varlistentry>\r
- <term>Fruits</term>\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>such as apples, oranges, and more.</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
- </varlistentry>\r
-\r
- <varlistentry>\r
- <term>Nuts</term>\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>Don't eat too many; you are what you eat.</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
- </varlistentry>\r
-\r
- <varlistentry>\r
- <term>Vegetables</term>\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>Potatos are spelled with care.</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
- </varlistentry>\r
-\r
- </variablelist>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- A list in which each entry is marked with a sequentially \r
- incremented label:\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <orderedlist>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>Step one</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>Step two</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- </orderedlist>\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: links -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="links">\r
- <title>Links</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>Links can be used within your documents to refer to\r
- different sections and chapters or to refer to documents external\r
- to yours.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <sect3 id="int-links">\r
- <title>Internal links</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Click on the <xref LinkEnd="samples"> link to jump to the top of\r
- this chapter. Note the anchor at the section tag.\r
- </para>\r
- </sect3>\r
-\r
- <sect3 id="ext-links">\r
- <title>External links</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Click on <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/">this</ulink> link\r
- to jump to the LDP site. Note you can use http, ftp, news and\r
- other protocols in the locator if required.\r
- </para>\r
- </sect3>\r
-\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: images -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="images">\r
- <title>Images</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>Avoid diagrams if possible as this cannot be rendered\r
- in the ASCII outputs which are still needed by many around the\r
- world.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <figure>\r
- <title>Graphics Test Image</title>\r
- <graphic FileRef="red.gif"></graphic>\r
- </figure>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Here is another variation which allows for ALT text:\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <mediaobject>\r
-\r
- <imageobject>\r
- <imagedata fileref="green.gif" format="gif">\r
- </imageobject>\r
-\r
- <textobject>\r
- <phrase>\r
- ALT text to be used: Green Ball\r
- </phrase>\r
- </textobject>\r
-\r
- <caption>\r
- <para>\r
- Caption for the graphic goes here: This is a Green Ball.\r
- </para>\r
- </caption>\r
- </mediaobject>\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: samples: END -->\r
-\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: structure -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="structure">\r
- <title>Structure</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>A quick overview on how all parts fit together in the overall\r
- structure. An example from the Multi Disk HOWTO is used.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- As this type of document is supposed to be as much for learning as\r
- a technical reference document I have rearranged the structure to\r
- this end. For the designer of a system it is more useful to have\r
- the information presented in terms of the goals of this exercise\r
- than from the point of view of the logical layer structure of the\r
- devices themselves. Nevertheless this document would not be\r
- complete without such a layer structure the computer field is so\r
- full of, so I will include it here as an introduction to how it\r
- works.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: logical-struct -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="logical-struct">\r
- <title>Logical structure</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>disk!structure, I/O subsystem</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- This is based on how each layer access each other, traditionally\r
- with the application on top and the physical layer on the bottom.\r
- It is quite useful to show the interrelationship between each of\r
- the layers used in controlling drives.\r
-\r
- <screen>\r
- ___________________________________________________________\r
- |__ File structure ( /usr /tmp etc) __|\r
- |__ File system (ext2fs, vfat etc) __|\r
- |__ Volume management (AFS) __|\r
- |__ RAID, concatenation (md) __|\r
- |__ Device driver (SCSI, IDE etc) __|\r
- |__ Controller (chip, card) __|\r
- |__ Connection (cable, network) __|\r
- |__ Drive (magnetic, optical etc) __|\r
- -----------------------------------------------------------\r
- </screen>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- In the above diagram both volume management and RAID and\r
- concatenation are optional layers. The 3 lower layers are in\r
- hardware. All parts are discussed at length later on in this\r
- document.\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: doc-struct -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="doc-struct">\r
- <title>Document structure</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Most users start out with a given set of hardware and some plans\r
- on what they wish to achieve and how big the system should be.\r
- This is the point of view I will adopt in this document in\r
- presenting the material, starting out with hardware, continuing\r
- with design constraints before detailing the design strategy that\r
- I have found to work well. I have used this both for my own\r
- personal computer at home, a multi purpose server at work and\r
- found it worked quite well. In addition my Japanese co-worker in\r
- this project have applied the same strategy on a server in an\r
- academic setting with similar success.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Finally at the end I have detailed some configuration tables for\r
- use in your own design. If you have any comments regarding this\r
- or notes from your own design work I would like to hear from you\r
- so this document can be upgraded.\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: reading-plan -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="reading-plan">\r
- <title>Reading plan</title>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>As you go beyond 50 pages or so there will be a lot of\r
- text that experts and even the experienced do not need to read.\r
- Keeping in mind that we wish to care for all kinds of people in\r
- the Linux world we might have to make a reading plan. Again,\r
- an example follows from the Multi Disk HOWTO.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Although not the biggest HOWTO it is nevertheless rather big\r
- already and I have been requested to make a reading plan to make\r
- it possible to cut down on the volume.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <variablelist>\r
-\r
- <varlistentry>\r
- <term>Expert</term>\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- (aka the elite). If you are familiar with Linux as well as\r
- disk drive technologies you will find most of what you need in\r
- the appendices. Additionally you are recommended to read the\r
- FAQ and the <XRef LinkEnd="bits-n-pieces">chapter.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
- </varlistentry>\r
-\r
- <varlistentry>\r
- <term>Experienced</term>\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- (aka Competent). If you are familiar with computers in\r
- general you can go straight to the chapters on \r
- <XRef LinkEnd="technologies"> and continue from there on.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
- </varlistentry>\r
-\r
- <varlistentry>\r
- <term>Newbie</term>\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- (mostly harmless). You just have to read the whole thing.\r
- Sorry. In addition you are also recommended to read all the\r
- other disk related HOWTOs.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
- </varlistentry>\r
-\r
- </variablelist>\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: structure: END -->\r
-\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: technologies -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="technologies">\r
- <title>Technologies</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>(your index root)!technologies</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>Introduction of technology for the newbie with a few\r
- references to detailed works. Remember that not everyone has\r
- Internet access so you have to explain in sufficient details so\r
- even the newbie can get by.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: technologies: END -->\r
-\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: implement -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="implement">\r
- <title>Implementation</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>(your index root)!implementation</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>Now your readers should have a sufficient knowledge of\r
- what this is about and now we come to the hands on of implementing\r
- your clever scheme.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: implement: END -->\r
-\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: maint -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="maint">\r
- <title>Maintenance</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>(your index root)!maintenance</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>Few systems and designs are maintenance free, here you\r
- explain how to keep the system running.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: maint: END -->\r
-\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: adv-issues -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="adv-issues">\r
- <title>Advanced Issues</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>(your index root)!advanced topics</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>You can get most things up and running in a quick and\r
- dirty fashion, useful for testing and getting used to how things\r
- work. For more serious use you would need to be a little more\r
- advanced. This is the place to explain it all, if applicable.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: adv-issues: END -->\r
-\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: moreinfo -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="moreinfo">\r
- <title>Further Information</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>(your index root)!information resources</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>A HOWTO cannot describe everything, some times the user\r
- has to venture out on th enet to get more information or just\r
- updates. Here is the place to tell where and how. Again examples\r
- from the Multi Disk HOWTO, replace as needed.</emphasis> There is wealth\r
- of information one should go through when setting up a major system,\r
- for instance for a news or general Internet service provider. The\r
- FAQs in the following groups are useful:\r
- </para>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: newsgroups -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="newsgroups">\r
- <title>News groups</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>disk!information resources!news groups</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>Some of the most interesting news groups are:\r
-\r
- <itemizedlist>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink url="news:comp.arch.storage">Storage</ulink>.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink url="news:comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage">PC storage</ulink>.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink url="news:alt.filesystems.afs">AFS</ulink>.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink url="news:comp.periphs.scsi">SCSI</ulink>.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink url="news:comp.os.linux.setup">Linux setup</ulink>.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- </itemizedlist>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Most newsgroups have their own FAQ that are designed to answer most\r
- of your questions, as the name Frequently Asked Questions indicate.\r
- Fresh versions should be posted regularly to the relevant newsgroups.\r
- If you cannot find it in your news spool you could go directly to the\r
- <ulink url="ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/">FAQ main archive FTP site</ulink>.\r
- The WWW versions can be browsed at the \r
- <ulink url="http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/FAQ-List.html">FAQ\r
- main archive WWW site</ulink>.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Some FAQs have their own home site, of particular interest:\r
-\r
- <itemizedlist>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink url="http://www.paranoia.com/~filipg/HTML/LINK/F_SCSI.html">SCSI FAQ</ulink> \r
- and\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <ulink url="http://alumni.caltech.edu/~rdv/comp_arch_storage/FAQ-1.html">comp.arch.storage FAQ</ulink>.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- </itemizedlist>\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: maillists -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="maillists">\r
- <title>Mailing Lists</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>disk!information resources!mailing lists</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- These are low-noise channels mainly for developers. Think twice\r
- before asking questions there as noise delays the development.\r
- Some relevant lists are <email>linux-raid</email>,\r
- <email>linux-scsi</email> and <email>linux-ext2fs</email>. Many\r
- of the most useful mailing lists run on the <Literal\r
- remap="tt">vger.rutgers.edu</Literal> server but this is\r
- notoriously overloaded, so try to find a mirror. There are some\r
- lists mirrored at <ulink url="http://www.redhat.com">The Redhat\r
- Home Page</ulink>. Many lists are also accessible at <ulink\r
- url="http://www.linuxhq.com/lnxlists">linuxhq</ulink>, and the\r
- rest of the web site contains useful information as well.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- If you want to find out more about the lists available you can send\r
- a message with the line <command>lists</command> to the list server\r
- at <email>majordomo@vger.rutgers.edu</email>.\r
- If you need help on how to use the mail server just send the line\r
- <command>help</command> to the same address. Due to the\r
- popularity of this server it is likely it takes a bit to time before\r
- you get a reply or even get messages after you send a\r
- <command>subscribe</command> command.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- There is also a number of other majordomo list servers that can\r
- be of interest such as the EATA driver list\r
- (<email>linux-eata@mail.uni-mainz.de</email>)\r
- and the Intelligent IO list <email>linux-i2o@dpt.com</email>.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Mailing lists are in a state of flux but you can find links to a\r
- number of interesting lists from the \r
- <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/">Linux Documentation\r
- Homepage</ulink>.\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: howto -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="howto">\r
- <title>HOWTO</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>disk!information resources!HOWTOs</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- These are intended as the primary starting points to get the\r
- background information as well as show you how to solve a\r
- specific problem. Some relevant HOWTOs are\r
- <Literal remap="tt">Bootdisk</Literal>, \r
- <Literal remap="tt">Installation</Literal>,\r
- <Literal remap="tt">SCSI</Literal> and \r
- <Literal remap="tt">UMSDOS</Literal>. The main site for these is the\r
- <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/">LDP archive</ulink>at\r
- Metalab (formerly known as Sunsite).\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- There is a a new HOWTO out that deals with setting up a DPT RAID\r
- system, check out the\r
- <ulink url="http://www.ram.org/computing/linux/dpt_raid.html">DPT RAID\r
- HOWTO homepage</ulink>.\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: local-res -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="local-res">\r
- <title>Local Resources</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>disk!information resources!local</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- In most distributions of Linux there is a document directory\r
- installed, have a look in the <filename>/usr/doc</filename>\r
- directory. where most packages store their main documentation and\r
- README files etc. Also you will here find the HOWTO archive \r
- (<filename>/usr/doc/HOWTO</filename>) of ready formatted HOWTOs\r
- and also the mini-HOWTO archive \r
- (<filename>/usr/doc/HOWTO/mini</filename>) of plain text\r
- documents.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Many of the configuration files mentioned earlier can be found in\r
- the <filename>/etc</filename> directory. In particular you will\r
- want to work with the <filename>/etc/fstab</filename> file that\r
- sets up the mounting of partitions and possibly also\r
- <filename>/etc/raidtab</filename> file that is used for the\r
- <Literal remap="tt">md</Literal> system to set up RAID.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- The kernel source in <filename>/usr/src/linux</filename> is, of\r
- course, the ultimate documentation. In other words, <quote>use\r
- the source, Luke</quote>. It should also be pointed out that the\r
- kernel comes not only with source code which is even commented\r
- (well, partially at least) but also an informative\r
- <filename>/usr/src/linux/Documentation</filename>. If you are\r
- about to ask any questions about the kernel you should read this\r
- first, it will save you and many others a lot of time and\r
- possibly embarrassment.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Also have a look in your system log file\r
- (<filename>/var/log/messages</filename>) to see what is going on\r
- and in particular how the booting went if too much scrolled off\r
- your screen. Using <command>tail -f /var/log/messages</command>\r
- in a separate window or screen will give you a continuous update\r
- of what is going on in your system.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- You can also take advantage of the <filename>/proc</filename>\r
- file system that is a window into the inner workings of your\r
- system. Use <command>cat</command> rather than\r
- <command>more</command> to view the files as they are reported as\r
- being zero length. Reports are that <command>less</command> works\r
- well here.\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section2: web -->\r
-\r
- <sect2 id="web">\r
- <title>Web Sites</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>disk!information resources!WWW</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>disk!information resources!web pages</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- There are a huge number of informative web sites available. By\r
- their very nature they change quickly so do not be surprised\r
- if these links become quickly outdated.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- A good starting point is of course the \r
- <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/">Linux Documentation\r
- Project</ulink> home page, an information central for\r
- documentation, project pages and much more.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Please let me know if you have any other leads that can be \r
- of interest.\r
- </para>\r
- </sect2>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: moreinfo: END -->\r
-\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: help -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="help">\r
- <title>Getting Help</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>(your index root)!assistance, obtaining</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- In the end you might find yourself unable to solve your problems\r
- and need help from someone else. The most efficient way is either\r
- to ask someone local or in your nearest Linux user group, search\r
- the web for the nearest one.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Another possibility is to ask on Usenet News in one of the many,\r
- many newsgroups available. The problem is that these have such a\r
- high volume and noise (called low signal-to-noise ratio) that your\r
- question can easily fall through unanswered.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- No matter where you ask it is important to ask well or you will\r
- not be taken seriously. Saying just <emphasis remap="it">my disk\r
- does not work</emphasis> is not going to help you and instead the\r
- noise level is increased even further and if you are lucky someone\r
- will ask you to clarify.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Instead describe your problems in some detail that will enable\r
- people to help you. The problem could lie somewhere you did not\r
- expect. Therefore you are advised to list the following information\r
- about your system:\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <variablelist>\r
-\r
- <varlistentry>\r
- <term>Hardware</Term>\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <itemizedlist>\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>Processor</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>DMA</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>IRQ</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>Chip set (LX, BX etc)</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>Bus (ISA, VESA, PCI etc)</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- Expansion cards used (Disk controllers, video, IO \r
- etc.)\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- </itemizedlist>\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
- </varlistentry>\r
-\r
- <varlistentry>\r
- <term>Software</term>\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <itemizedlist>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>BIOS (On motherboard and possibly SCSI host adapters)</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>LILO, if used</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- Linux kernel version as well as possible modifications \r
- and patches\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>Kernel parameters, if any</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- Software that shows the error (with version number \r
- or date)\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- </itemizedlist>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- </listitem>\r
- </varlistentry>\r
-\r
- <varlistentry>\r
- <term>Peripherals</term>\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- <itemizedlist>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- Type of disk drives with manufacturer name, version and type\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>Other relevant peripherals</para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- </itemizedlist>\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
- </varlistentry>\r
-\r
- </variablelist>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- Remember that booting text is logged to\r
- <filename>/var/log/messages</filename> which can answer most of\r
- the questions above. Obviously if the drives fail you might not be\r
- able to get the log saved to disk but you can at least scroll\r
- back up the screen using the <keycap>SHIFT</keycap> and\r
- <keycap>PAGE UP</keycap> keys. It may also be useful to include\r
- part of this in your request for help but do not go overboard,\r
- keep it <emphasis>brief</emphasis> as a complete log file dumped\r
- to Usenet News is more than a little annoying.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: help: END -->\r
-\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: remarks -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="remarks">\r
- <title>Concluding Remarks</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>(your index root)!conclusion</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>Just summing up... Also a place for general\r
- recommendations.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: remarks: END -->\r
-\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: faq -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="faq">\r
- <title>Questions and Answers</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>(your index root)!FAQ</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>(your index root)!frequently asked questions</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>Check the newsgroups and try to determine some frequent\r
- problems and cover them here. Again an example from the Multi Disk\r
- HOWTO.</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- This is just a collection of what I believe are the most common\r
- questions people might have. Give me more feedback and I will turn\r
- this section into a proper FAQ.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <itemizedlist>\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- Q:How many physical disk drives (spindles) does a Linux system need?\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- A: Linux can run just fine on one drive (spindle). Having\r
- enough RAM (around 32 MB, and up to 64 MB) to support swapping\r
- is a better price/performance choice than getting a second\r
- disk. (E)IDE disk is usually cheaper (but a little slower) than\r
- SCSI.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- Q: Are there any disadvantages in this scheme?\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- A: There is only a minor snag: if even a single partition\r
- overflows the system might stop working properly. The severity\r
- depends of course on what partition is affected. Still this is\r
- not hard to monitor, the command <command>df</command> gives\r
- you a good overview of the situation. Also check the swap\r
- partition(s) using <command>free</command> to make sure you are\r
- not about to run out of virtual memory.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- <listitem>\r
- <para>\r
- Q: OK, so should I split the system into as many partitions as \r
- possible for a single drive?\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- A: No, there are several disadvantages to that. First of all\r
- maintenance becomes needlessly complex and you gain very little\r
- in this. In fact if your partitions are too big you will seek\r
- across larger areas than needed. This is a balance and\r
- dependent on the number of physical drives you have.\r
- </para>\r
- </listitem>\r
-\r
- </itemizedlist>\r
-\r
- <comment>\r
- Greg Leblanc: Depending on how big this FAQ gets, perhaps it\r
- would be worthwhile to have, say, the 5 most FAQ, and put the\r
- rest into an external FAQ. Dunno. Comments?\r
- </comment>\r
-\r
- <emphasis>(rest deleted.)</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: faq: END -->\r
-\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: bits-n-pieces -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="bits-n-pieces">\r
- <title>Bits and Pieces </title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>disk!miscellaneous</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- This is basically a section where I stuff all the bits I have not\r
- yet decided where should go, yet that I feel is worth knowing\r
- about. It is a kind of transient area.\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: bits-n-pieces: END -->\r
-\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: examples -->\r
-\r
- <sect1 id="examples">\r
- <title>Examples</title>\r
-\r
- <indexterm>\r
- <primary>(your index root)!examples</primary>\r
- </indexterm>\r
-\r
- <para>\r
- <emphasis>Example designs and sample configuration files and other\r
- relevant details is always handy</emphasis>\r
- </para>\r
-\r
- </sect1>\r
-\r
-<!-- Section1: examples: END -->\r
-\r
-</article>\r
-\r
-<!-- Keep this comment at the end of the file\r
-Local variables:\r
-mode: sgml\r
-sgml-omittag:t\r
-sgml-shorttag:t\r
-sgml-namecase-general:t\r
-sgml-general-insert-case:lower\r
-sgml-minimize-attributes:nil\r
-sgml-always-quote-attributes:t\r
-sgml-indent-step:1\r
-sgml-indent-data:nil\r
-sgml-parent-document:nil\r
-sgml-exposed-tags:nil\r
-sgml-local-catalogs:nil\r
-sgml-local-ecat-files:nil\r
-End:\r
--->\r
+<!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook V3.1//EN">
+
+<article>
+
+<!-- Header -->
+
+ <artheader>
+ <title>Free Software Development HOWTO</title>
+
+ <author>
+ <firstname>Benjamin</firstname>
+ <othername>Mako</othername>
+ <surnamen>Hill</surname>
+ <affiliation>
+ <address>
+ <email>mako@debian.org</email>
+
+ </address>
+ </affiliation>
+ </author>
+
+ <revhistory>
+ <revision>
+ <revnumber>v0.01</revnumber>
+ <date>1 January 2001</date>
+ <authorinitials>bch</authorinitials>
+ <revremark>
+ Initial Release
+ </revremark>
+ </revision>
+ </revhistory>
+
+ <abstract>
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>fswd</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ This HOWTO is designed for people with experience in programming
+ and some skills in managing a software project but who are new to
+ the world of Free Software. This document is meant to act as a
+ guide to the non-technical aspects of programming and was written
+ to act as a crash course in the people skills that aren't taught
+ to commercial coders but that can make or break a free software
+ project.
+ </para>
+ </abstract>
+
+ </artheader>
+
+<!-- Section1: intro -->
+
+ <sect1 id="intro">
+ <title>Introduction</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>fswd!introduction</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ For various reasons, this realease has been codenamed the
+ <emphasis>homade yogurt</emphasis> release.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ New code names will appear as per industry standard
+ guidelines to emphasize the state-of-the-art-ness of this
+ document.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Skimming through Freshmeat provides mountains of reasons for this
+ HOWTO's existence--the Internet is littered with excellently
+ written and useful programs that have faded away into the Universe
+ of Free Software Forgottenness. This dismal scene made me ask
+ myself, "Why?"
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ This HOWTO tries to do a lot of thing (probably too many), but it
+ can't answer that question and won't attempt it. What this HOWTO
+ will attempt to do is give your Free Software project a fighting
+ chance-an edge. If you write a piece of crap that no one is
+ interested in, you can read this HOWTO until you recite it in your
+ sleep and your project will probably fail. Then again, you can
+ write a beautiful, relevent piece of software and follow every
+ instruction in this HOWTO and your software may still not make
+ it. Sometimes life is like that. However, I'll go out a limb and
+ say that if you write a great, relevant pieces of software and
+ ignore the advise in this HOWTO, you'll probably fail <emphasis>
+ more often</emphasis>.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ A lot of the information in this HOWTO is best called common
+ sense. Of course, as any debate on interfaces will prove, what is
+ common sense to some programmers proves totally unintuitive to
+ others. After explaining bites and pieces of this HOWTO to Free
+ Software developers on several occasions, I realized that that
+ writing this HOWTO might provide a useful resource and a forum for
+ programmers to share ideas about what has and has not worked for
+ them.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ As anyone involved in any of what seems like an unending parade of
+ ridiculous intellectual property clashes will attest to, a little
+ bit of legalese proves important.
+ </para>
+
+<!-- Section2: copyright -->
+
+ <sect2 id="copyright">
+ <title>Copyright Information</title>
+
+ <para>
+ This document is copyrighted (c) 2000 Stein Gjoen and is
+ distributed under the terms of the Linux Documentation Project
+ (LDP) license, stated below. <emphasis>Replace with your name,
+ or supply a new license, when you use this skeleton for a new
+ HOWTO.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Unless otherwise stated, Linux HOWTO documents are
+ copyrighted by their respective authors. Linux HOWTO documents may
+ be reproduced and distributed in whole or in part, in any medium
+ physical or electronic, as long as this copyright notice is
+ retained on all copies. Commercial redistribution is allowed and
+ encouraged; however, the author would like to be notified of any
+ such distributions.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ All translations, derivative works, or aggregate works
+ incorporating any Linux HOWTO documents must be covered under this
+ copyright notice. That is, you may not produce a derivative work
+ from a HOWTO and impose additional restrictions on its
+ distribution. Exceptions to these rules may be granted under
+ certain conditions; please contact the Linux HOWTO coordinator at
+ the address given below.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ In short, we wish to promote dissemination of this
+ information through as many channels as possible. However, we do
+ wish to retain copyright on the HOWTO documents, and would like to
+ be notified of any plans to redistribute the HOWTOs.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ If you have any questions, please contact
+ <email>linux-howto@metalab.unc.edu</email>
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: disclaimer -->
+
+ <sect2 id="disclaimer">
+ <title>Disclaimer</title>
+
+ <para>
+ No liability for the contents of this documents can be accepted.
+ Use the concepts, examples and other content at your own risk.
+ As this is a new edition of this document, there may be errors
+ and inaccuracies, that may of course be damaging to your system.
+ Proceed with caution, and although this is highly unlikely,
+ the author(s) do not take any responsibility for that.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ All copyrights are held by their by their respective owners, unless
+ specifically noted otherwise. Use of a term in this document
+ should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark
+ or service mark.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Naming of particular products or brands should not be seen
+ as endorsements.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ You are strongly recommended to take a backup of your system
+ before major installation and backups at regular intervals.
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: newversions-->
+
+ <sect2 id="newversions">
+ <title>New Versions</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>(your index root)!news on</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ This is the initial release. It is written to be released to
+ developers for critique and brainstorming and submitted to
+ Hampshire College for academic credit. Please keep in mind that
+ this version of the HOWTO is still in an infant stage and will be
+ revised extensively before it hits the LDP.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ The latest version number of this document should always be listed
+ at my webpage at<ulink url="http://people.debian.org/~mako/">
+ http://people.debian.org/~mako/</unlink> Debian.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ The newest version of this HOWTO will always be made available at
+ the same website, in a variety of formats:
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ <itemizedlist>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="http://people.debian.org/fswd-howto.html">HTML</ulink>.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink URL="http://people.debian.org/fswd-howto.txt">plain text</ulink>.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="http://people.debian.org/fswd-howto.US.ps.gz">compressed
+ postscript (US letter format)</ulink>.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="http://people.debian.org/fswd-howto.UF.ps.gz">compressed
+ postscript (Universal format / 8.27x11in; 210x279mm)</ulink>.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="http://people.debian.org/fswd-howto.sgml">SGML source</ulink>.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ </itemizedlist>
+ </para>
+
+<!-- Section2: credits -->
+
+ <sect2 id="credits">
+ <title>Credits</title>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>It is always nice to acknowledge people who help you
+ with input; it is also regarded by many as important in the
+ Linux world new economy.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ In this version I have the pleasure of acknowledging:
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ <email>name (at) site.org</email>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>Please scramble the addresses so email harvesters
+ cannot get addresses from your HOWTO and then spam people. That
+ has happened in the past.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>Somecompany</emphasis> is acknowledged for sending me
+ documentation on their gizmos as well as permission to quote from
+ the material. These quotes have been approved before appearing
+ here and will be clearly labeled.
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: feedback -->
+
+ <sect2 id="feedback">
+ <title>Feedback</title>
+
+ <para>
+ Feedback is most certainly welcome for this document. Without
+ your submissions and input, this document wouldn't exist. Please
+ send your additions, comments and criticisms to the following
+ email address : <email>sgjoen@nyx.net</email>.
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: translations -->
+
+ <sect2 id="translations">
+ <title>Translations</title>
+
+ <para>
+ Not everyone speaks English, pointers to translations are nice.
+ Also your translators tend to give very important inputs.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ <itemizedlist>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="http://linuxdoc.org/">German Translation</ulink>
+ by <email>someone (at) somewhere.de</email>
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="http://linuxdoc.org/">French Translation</ulink>
+ by <email>someone (at) somewhere.fr</email>
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="http://linuxdoc.org/">Italian Translation</ulink>
+ by <email>someone (at) somewhere.it</email>
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ </itemizedlist>
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: intro: END -->
+
+<!-- Section1: starting -->
+
+ <sect1 id="starting">
+ <title>Starting a Project</title>
+
+<!-- Section2: chooseproject-->
+
+ <sect2 id="chooseproject">
+ <title>Choosing a Project</title>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: chooselicense-->
+
+ <sect2 id="chooselicense">
+ <title>Deciding on a License</title>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: chooseversioning-->
+
+ <sect2 id="chooseversioning">
+ <title>Choosing a Method of Version Numbering</title>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: documentation-->
+
+ <sect2 id="documentation">
+ <title>Documentation</title>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: presentation -->
+
+ <sect2 id="presentation">
+ <title>Other Presentation Issues</title>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: futuredev -->
+
+ <sect2 id="futuredev">
+ <title>Nuturing Future Development</title>
+ </sect2>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: starting: END -->
+
+<!-- Section1: developers -->
+
+ <sect1 id="developers">
+ <title>Maintaining a Project: Interacting with Developers</title>
+
+<!-- Section2: delegation -->
+
+ <sect2 id="delegation">
+ <title>Delegating Work</title>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: branches -->
+
+ <sect2 id="branches">
+ <title>Stable and Development Branches</title>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: freezing -->
+
+ <sect2 id="freezing">
+ <title>Freezing</title>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: codecram -->
+
+ <sect2 id="codecram">
+ <title>Avoiding the Code Cram Effect</title>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: patching -->
+
+ <sect2 id="patching">
+ <title>Accepting and Rejecting Patches</title>
+ </sect2>
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: users -->
+
+ <sect1 id="users">
+ <title>Maintaining a Project: Interacting with Users</title>
+
+<!-- Section2: announcing -->
+
+ <sect2 id="announcing">
+ <title>Announcing Your Project</title>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: testing -->
+
+ <sect2 id="testing">
+ <title>Testing and Testers</title>
+ </sect2>
+</sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: samples -->
+
+ <sect1 id="samples">
+ <title>Samples</title>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>This section gives some simple SGML examples you could
+ use. Read the SGML source to see how it was done.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Further information and examples can be obtained from the publication
+ <ulink url="http://docbook.org/tdg/html/">DocBook: The Definitive
+ Guide</ulink>. Written by <emphasis>Norman Walsh</emphasis>
+ and <emphasis>Leonard Muellner</emphasis>; 1st Edition, October 1999.
+ </para>
+
+<!-- Section2: lists -->
+
+ <sect2 id="lists">
+ <title>Lists</title>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>Lists are used frequently, and are available in a number
+ of formats shown below.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ A list in which each entry is marked with a bullet or other dingbat:
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ <itemizedlist>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>Apples</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>Oranges</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>Bananas</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ </itemizedlist>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ A list in which each entry is composed of a set of one or more
+ terms and an associated description:
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ <variablelist>
+
+ <varlistentry>
+ <term>Fruits</term>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>such as apples, oranges, and more.</para>
+ </listitem>
+ </varlistentry>
+
+ <varlistentry>
+ <term>Nuts</term>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>Don't eat too many; you are what you eat.</para>
+ </listitem>
+ </varlistentry>
+
+ <varlistentry>
+ <term>Vegetables</term>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>Potatos are spelled with care.</para>
+ </listitem>
+ </varlistentry>
+
+ </variablelist>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ A list in which each entry is marked with a sequentially
+ incremented label:
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ <orderedlist>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>Step one</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>Step two</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ </orderedlist>
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: links -->
+
+ <sect2 id="links">
+ <title>Links</title>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>Links can be used within your documents to refer to
+ different sections and chapters or to refer to documents external
+ to yours.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ <sect3 id="int-links">
+ <title>Internal links</title>
+
+ <para>
+ Click on the <xref LinkEnd="samples"> link to jump to the top of
+ this chapter. Note the anchor at the section tag.
+ </para>
+ </sect3>
+
+ <sect3 id="ext-links">
+ <title>External links</title>
+
+ <para>
+ Click on <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/">this</ulink> link
+ to jump to the LDP site. Note you can use http, ftp, news and
+ other protocols in the locator if required.
+ </para>
+ </sect3>
+
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: images -->
+
+ <sect2 id="images">
+ <title>Images</title>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>Avoid diagrams if possible as this cannot be rendered
+ in the ASCII outputs which are still needed by many around the
+ world.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ <figure>
+ <title>Graphics Test Image</title>
+ <graphic FileRef="red.gif"></graphic>
+ </figure>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Here is another variation which allows for ALT text:
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ <mediaobject>
+
+ <imageobject>
+ <imagedata fileref="green.gif" format="gif">
+ </imageobject>
+
+ <textobject>
+ <phrase>
+ ALT text to be used: Green Ball
+ </phrase>
+ </textobject>
+
+ <caption>
+ <para>
+ Caption for the graphic goes here: This is a Green Ball.
+ </para>
+ </caption>
+ </mediaobject>
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: samples: END -->
+
+
+<!-- Section1: structure -->
+
+ <sect1 id="structure">
+ <title>Structure</title>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>A quick overview on how all parts fit together in the overall
+ structure. An example from the Multi Disk HOWTO is used.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ As this type of document is supposed to be as much for learning as
+ a technical reference document I have rearranged the structure to
+ this end. For the designer of a system it is more useful to have
+ the information presented in terms of the goals of this exercise
+ than from the point of view of the logical layer structure of the
+ devices themselves. Nevertheless this document would not be
+ complete without such a layer structure the computer field is so
+ full of, so I will include it here as an introduction to how it
+ works.
+ </para>
+
+<!-- Section2: logical-struct -->
+
+ <sect2 id="logical-struct">
+ <title>Logical structure</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>disk!structure, I/O subsystem</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ This is based on how each layer access each other, traditionally
+ with the application on top and the physical layer on the bottom.
+ It is quite useful to show the interrelationship between each of
+ the layers used in controlling drives.
+
+ <screen>
+ ___________________________________________________________
+ |__ File structure ( /usr /tmp etc) __|
+ |__ File system (ext2fs, vfat etc) __|
+ |__ Volume management (AFS) __|
+ |__ RAID, concatenation (md) __|
+ |__ Device driver (SCSI, IDE etc) __|
+ |__ Controller (chip, card) __|
+ |__ Connection (cable, network) __|
+ |__ Drive (magnetic, optical etc) __|
+ -----------------------------------------------------------
+ </screen>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ In the above diagram both volume management and RAID and
+ concatenation are optional layers. The 3 lower layers are in
+ hardware. All parts are discussed at length later on in this
+ document.
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: doc-struct -->
+
+ <sect2 id="doc-struct">
+ <title>Document structure</title>
+
+ <para>
+ Most users start out with a given set of hardware and some plans
+ on what they wish to achieve and how big the system should be.
+ This is the point of view I will adopt in this document in
+ presenting the material, starting out with hardware, continuing
+ with design constraints before detailing the design strategy that
+ I have found to work well. I have used this both for my own
+ personal computer at home, a multi purpose server at work and
+ found it worked quite well. In addition my Japanese co-worker in
+ this project have applied the same strategy on a server in an
+ academic setting with similar success.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Finally at the end I have detailed some configuration tables for
+ use in your own design. If you have any comments regarding this
+ or notes from your own design work I would like to hear from you
+ so this document can be upgraded.
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: reading-plan -->
+
+ <sect2 id="reading-plan">
+ <title>Reading plan</title>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>As you go beyond 50 pages or so there will be a lot of
+ text that experts and even the experienced do not need to read.
+ Keeping in mind that we wish to care for all kinds of people in
+ the Linux world we might have to make a reading plan. Again,
+ an example follows from the Multi Disk HOWTO.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Although not the biggest HOWTO it is nevertheless rather big
+ already and I have been requested to make a reading plan to make
+ it possible to cut down on the volume.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ <variablelist>
+
+ <varlistentry>
+ <term>Expert</term>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ (aka the elite). If you are familiar with Linux as well as
+ disk drive technologies you will find most of what you need in
+ the appendices. Additionally you are recommended to read the
+ FAQ and the <XRef LinkEnd="bits-n-pieces">chapter.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ </varlistentry>
+
+ <varlistentry>
+ <term>Experienced</term>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ (aka Competent). If you are familiar with computers in
+ general you can go straight to the chapters on
+ <XRef LinkEnd="technologies"> and continue from there on.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ </varlistentry>
+
+ <varlistentry>
+ <term>Newbie</term>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ (mostly harmless). You just have to read the whole thing.
+ Sorry. In addition you are also recommended to read all the
+ other disk related HOWTOs.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ </varlistentry>
+
+ </variablelist>
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: structure: END -->
+
+
+<!-- Section1: technologies -->
+
+ <sect1 id="technologies">
+ <title>Technologies</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>(your index root)!technologies</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>Introduction of technology for the newbie with a few
+ references to detailed works. Remember that not everyone has
+ Internet access so you have to explain in sufficient details so
+ even the newbie can get by.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: technologies: END -->
+
+
+<!-- Section1: implement -->
+
+ <sect1 id="implement">
+ <title>Implementation</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>(your index root)!implementation</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>Now your readers should have a sufficient knowledge of
+ what this is about and now we come to the hands on of implementing
+ your clever scheme.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: implement: END -->
+
+
+<!-- Section1: maint -->
+
+ <sect1 id="maint">
+ <title>Maintenance</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>(your index root)!maintenance</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>Few systems and designs are maintenance free, here you
+ explain how to keep the system running.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: maint: END -->
+
+
+<!-- Section1: adv-issues -->
+
+ <sect1 id="adv-issues">
+ <title>Advanced Issues</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>(your index root)!advanced topics</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>You can get most things up and running in a quick and
+ dirty fashion, useful for testing and getting used to how things
+ work. For more serious use you would need to be a little more
+ advanced. This is the place to explain it all, if applicable.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: adv-issues: END -->
+
+
+<!-- Section1: moreinfo -->
+
+ <sect1 id="moreinfo">
+ <title>Further Information</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>(your index root)!information resources</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>A HOWTO cannot describe everything, some times the user
+ has to venture out on th enet to get more information or just
+ updates. Here is the place to tell where and how. Again examples
+ from the Multi Disk HOWTO, replace as needed.</emphasis> There is wealth
+ of information one should go through when setting up a major system,
+ for instance for a news or general Internet service provider. The
+ FAQs in the following groups are useful:
+ </para>
+
+<!-- Section2: newsgroups -->
+
+ <sect2 id="newsgroups">
+ <title>News groups</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>disk!information resources!news groups</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>Some of the most interesting news groups are:
+
+ <itemizedlist>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="news:comp.arch.storage">Storage</ulink>.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="news:comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage">PC storage</ulink>.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="news:alt.filesystems.afs">AFS</ulink>.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="news:comp.periphs.scsi">SCSI</ulink>.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="news:comp.os.linux.setup">Linux setup</ulink>.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ </itemizedlist>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Most newsgroups have their own FAQ that are designed to answer most
+ of your questions, as the name Frequently Asked Questions indicate.
+ Fresh versions should be posted regularly to the relevant newsgroups.
+ If you cannot find it in your news spool you could go directly to the
+ <ulink url="ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/">FAQ main archive FTP site</ulink>.
+ The WWW versions can be browsed at the
+ <ulink url="http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/FAQ-List.html">FAQ
+ main archive WWW site</ulink>.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Some FAQs have their own home site, of particular interest:
+
+ <itemizedlist>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="http://www.paranoia.com/~filipg/HTML/LINK/F_SCSI.html">SCSI FAQ</ulink>
+ and
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <ulink url="http://alumni.caltech.edu/~rdv/comp_arch_storage/FAQ-1.html">comp.arch.storage FAQ</ulink>.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ </itemizedlist>
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: maillists -->
+
+ <sect2 id="maillists">
+ <title>Mailing Lists</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>disk!information resources!mailing lists</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ These are low-noise channels mainly for developers. Think twice
+ before asking questions there as noise delays the development.
+ Some relevant lists are <email>linux-raid</email>,
+ <email>linux-scsi</email> and <email>linux-ext2fs</email>. Many
+ of the most useful mailing lists run on the <Literal
+ remap="tt">vger.rutgers.edu</Literal> server but this is
+ notoriously overloaded, so try to find a mirror. There are some
+ lists mirrored at <ulink url="http://www.redhat.com">The Redhat
+ Home Page</ulink>. Many lists are also accessible at <ulink
+ url="http://www.linuxhq.com/lnxlists">linuxhq</ulink>, and the
+ rest of the web site contains useful information as well.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ If you want to find out more about the lists available you can send
+ a message with the line <command>lists</command> to the list server
+ at <email>majordomo@vger.rutgers.edu</email>.
+ If you need help on how to use the mail server just send the line
+ <command>help</command> to the same address. Due to the
+ popularity of this server it is likely it takes a bit to time before
+ you get a reply or even get messages after you send a
+ <command>subscribe</command> command.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ There is also a number of other majordomo list servers that can
+ be of interest such as the EATA driver list
+ (<email>linux-eata@mail.uni-mainz.de</email>)
+ and the Intelligent IO list <email>linux-i2o@dpt.com</email>.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Mailing lists are in a state of flux but you can find links to a
+ number of interesting lists from the
+ <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/">Linux Documentation
+ Homepage</ulink>.
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: howto -->
+
+ <sect2 id="howto">
+ <title>HOWTO</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>disk!information resources!HOWTOs</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ These are intended as the primary starting points to get the
+ background information as well as show you how to solve a
+ specific problem. Some relevant HOWTOs are
+ <Literal remap="tt">Bootdisk</Literal>,
+ <Literal remap="tt">Installation</Literal>,
+ <Literal remap="tt">SCSI</Literal> and
+ <Literal remap="tt">UMSDOS</Literal>. The main site for these is the
+ <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/">LDP archive</ulink>at
+ Metalab (formerly known as Sunsite).
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ There is a a new HOWTO out that deals with setting up a DPT RAID
+ system, check out the
+ <ulink url="http://www.ram.org/computing/linux/dpt_raid.html">DPT RAID
+ HOWTO homepage</ulink>.
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: local-res -->
+
+ <sect2 id="local-res">
+ <title>Local Resources</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>disk!information resources!local</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ In most distributions of Linux there is a document directory
+ installed, have a look in the <filename>/usr/doc</filename>
+ directory. where most packages store their main documentation and
+ README files etc. Also you will here find the HOWTO archive
+ (<filename>/usr/doc/HOWTO</filename>) of ready formatted HOWTOs
+ and also the mini-HOWTO archive
+ (<filename>/usr/doc/HOWTO/mini</filename>) of plain text
+ documents.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Many of the configuration files mentioned earlier can be found in
+ the <filename>/etc</filename> directory. In particular you will
+ want to work with the <filename>/etc/fstab</filename> file that
+ sets up the mounting of partitions and possibly also
+ <filename>/etc/raidtab</filename> file that is used for the
+ <Literal remap="tt">md</Literal> system to set up RAID.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ The kernel source in <filename>/usr/src/linux</filename> is, of
+ course, the ultimate documentation. In other words, <quote>use
+ the source, Luke</quote>. It should also be pointed out that the
+ kernel comes not only with source code which is even commented
+ (well, partially at least) but also an informative
+ <filename>/usr/src/linux/Documentation</filename>. If you are
+ about to ask any questions about the kernel you should read this
+ first, it will save you and many others a lot of time and
+ possibly embarrassment.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Also have a look in your system log file
+ (<filename>/var/log/messages</filename>) to see what is going on
+ and in particular how the booting went if too much scrolled off
+ your screen. Using <command>tail -f /var/log/messages</command>
+ in a separate window or screen will give you a continuous update
+ of what is going on in your system.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ You can also take advantage of the <filename>/proc</filename>
+ file system that is a window into the inner workings of your
+ system. Use <command>cat</command> rather than
+ <command>more</command> to view the files as they are reported as
+ being zero length. Reports are that <command>less</command> works
+ well here.
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+<!-- Section2: web -->
+
+ <sect2 id="web">
+ <title>Web Sites</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>disk!information resources!WWW</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>disk!information resources!web pages</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ There are a huge number of informative web sites available. By
+ their very nature they change quickly so do not be surprised
+ if these links become quickly outdated.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ A good starting point is of course the
+ <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/">Linux Documentation
+ Project</ulink> home page, an information central for
+ documentation, project pages and much more.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Please let me know if you have any other leads that can be
+ of interest.
+ </para>
+ </sect2>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: moreinfo: END -->
+
+
+<!-- Section1: help -->
+
+ <sect1 id="help">
+ <title>Getting Help</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>(your index root)!assistance, obtaining</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ In the end you might find yourself unable to solve your problems
+ and need help from someone else. The most efficient way is either
+ to ask someone local or in your nearest Linux user group, search
+ the web for the nearest one.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Another possibility is to ask on Usenet News in one of the many,
+ many newsgroups available. The problem is that these have such a
+ high volume and noise (called low signal-to-noise ratio) that your
+ question can easily fall through unanswered.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ No matter where you ask it is important to ask well or you will
+ not be taken seriously. Saying just <emphasis remap="it">my disk
+ does not work</emphasis> is not going to help you and instead the
+ noise level is increased even further and if you are lucky someone
+ will ask you to clarify.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Instead describe your problems in some detail that will enable
+ people to help you. The problem could lie somewhere you did not
+ expect. Therefore you are advised to list the following information
+ about your system:
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ <variablelist>
+
+ <varlistentry>
+ <term>Hardware</Term>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <itemizedlist>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>Processor</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>DMA</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>IRQ</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>Chip set (LX, BX etc)</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>Bus (ISA, VESA, PCI etc)</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Expansion cards used (Disk controllers, video, IO
+ etc.)
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ </itemizedlist>
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ </varlistentry>
+
+ <varlistentry>
+ <term>Software</term>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <itemizedlist>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>BIOS (On motherboard and possibly SCSI host adapters)</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>LILO, if used</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Linux kernel version as well as possible modifications
+ and patches
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>Kernel parameters, if any</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Software that shows the error (with version number
+ or date)
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ </itemizedlist>
+ </para>
+
+ </listitem>
+ </varlistentry>
+
+ <varlistentry>
+ <term>Peripherals</term>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ <itemizedlist>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Type of disk drives with manufacturer name, version and type
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>Other relevant peripherals</para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ </itemizedlist>
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ </varlistentry>
+
+ </variablelist>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ Remember that booting text is logged to
+ <filename>/var/log/messages</filename> which can answer most of
+ the questions above. Obviously if the drives fail you might not be
+ able to get the log saved to disk but you can at least scroll
+ back up the screen using the <keycap>SHIFT</keycap> and
+ <keycap>PAGE UP</keycap> keys. It may also be useful to include
+ part of this in your request for help but do not go overboard,
+ keep it <emphasis>brief</emphasis> as a complete log file dumped
+ to Usenet News is more than a little annoying.
+ </para>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: help: END -->
+
+
+<!-- Section1: remarks -->
+
+ <sect1 id="remarks">
+ <title>Concluding Remarks</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>(your index root)!conclusion</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>Just summing up... Also a place for general
+ recommendations.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: remarks: END -->
+
+
+<!-- Section1: faq -->
+
+ <sect1 id="faq">
+ <title>Questions and Answers</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>(your index root)!FAQ</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>(your index root)!frequently asked questions</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>Check the newsgroups and try to determine some frequent
+ problems and cover them here. Again an example from the Multi Disk
+ HOWTO.</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ This is just a collection of what I believe are the most common
+ questions people might have. Give me more feedback and I will turn
+ this section into a proper FAQ.
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ <itemizedlist>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Q:How many physical disk drives (spindles) does a Linux system need?
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ A: Linux can run just fine on one drive (spindle). Having
+ enough RAM (around 32 MB, and up to 64 MB) to support swapping
+ is a better price/performance choice than getting a second
+ disk. (E)IDE disk is usually cheaper (but a little slower) than
+ SCSI.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Q: Are there any disadvantages in this scheme?
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ A: There is only a minor snag: if even a single partition
+ overflows the system might stop working properly. The severity
+ depends of course on what partition is affected. Still this is
+ not hard to monitor, the command <command>df</command> gives
+ you a good overview of the situation. Also check the swap
+ partition(s) using <command>free</command> to make sure you are
+ not about to run out of virtual memory.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Q: OK, so should I split the system into as many partitions as
+ possible for a single drive?
+ </para>
+
+ <para>
+ A: No, there are several disadvantages to that. First of all
+ maintenance becomes needlessly complex and you gain very little
+ in this. In fact if your partitions are too big you will seek
+ across larger areas than needed. This is a balance and
+ dependent on the number of physical drives you have.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+
+ </itemizedlist>
+
+ <comment>
+ Greg Leblanc: Depending on how big this FAQ gets, perhaps it
+ would be worthwhile to have, say, the 5 most FAQ, and put the
+ rest into an external FAQ. Dunno. Comments?
+ </comment>
+
+ <emphasis>(rest deleted.)</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: faq: END -->
+
+
+<!-- Section1: bits-n-pieces -->
+
+ <sect1 id="bits-n-pieces">
+ <title>Bits and Pieces </title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>disk!miscellaneous</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ This is basically a section where I stuff all the bits I have not
+ yet decided where should go, yet that I feel is worth knowing
+ about. It is a kind of transient area.
+ </para>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: bits-n-pieces: END -->
+
+
+<!-- Section1: examples -->
+
+ <sect1 id="examples">
+ <title>Examples</title>
+
+ <indexterm>
+ <primary>(your index root)!examples</primary>
+ </indexterm>
+
+ <para>
+ <emphasis>Example designs and sample configuration files and other
+ relevant details is always handy</emphasis>
+ </para>
+
+ </sect1>
+
+<!-- Section1: examples: END -->
+
+</article>
+
+<!-- Keep this comment at the end of the file
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+End:
+-->
projects / fspm_howto / blobdiff