32 vs 64 bit is a question that you really should answer. If you are using applications that are only 32 bit then be prepared for the changes if you go 64bit. If this is a general purpose type of server (MySQL, Apache, ect ) then I suggest you go 64bit. In my world (eg everything that I do) the 64bit MySQL works SOOOOOO much better then the 32bit version doing the same tasks. Some tasks you may not notice the difference in the slightest. I also have need of upwards of 8GB of memory so that obviously influenced my decision to go 64bit as well.
As for the partitioning, I don't know what you are doing so I can't give you anything more then a few suggestions. I personally always set aside 10GB for /. I also set my swap space to be 2x the amount of memory or 5GB, whichever is the smallest. If the box is going to be using a lot of temporary files I will set a large /tmp partition if need be. If it is a web server, I usually give /var/www its own partition. I have a few applications that use /opt extensively so on those systems I give a 10GB /opt. The rest of the space always goes to /home. It really depends on what you are doing with the system. Probably not the definitive answer you wanted, but hopefully it helps ;-) Have fun with that server! ________________________________ From: Tenant [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 12:24 PM To: debian-user@lists.debian.org Subject: Server install questions We just ordered a new 1U server that will operate in a Colo setup. The specs are: Xeon Yorkfield X3350, quad 2.67Ghz, 12M L2, 1333fsb Supermicro X7SBI socket 775 server board 4-Gig (2x 2G) DDR2-667 2x 750-Gig Seagate ES2 RAID Edition, 7200rpm on-board Intel ICH9R 4-port SATA-II Controller on-board Intel dual GB NICs 24-speed slim CD-ROM, no floppy Supermicro 1U SC813MT-300CB Rackmount Chassis 4x hot-swap SATA bays supermicro 300-watt power supply 1U Rail Kit We specified it be installed with Etch 4.0_r3 with software RAID for the two drives. So the vendor emails back, asking: 1. Do you want i386 or x86_64 Debian? 2. What will be the partitioning scheme? Damn if I know. I'd appreciate thoughts on whether to use 32/64 bit versions, and are there any established partitioning schemes (I always uesed defaults) Thanks
