How to store and share large amount of files (1.5 TB)?

[Ramon]

Hi,

I'm installing a Debian (Squeeze) home server on a KVM.
But I'm a bit hesitant to put my precious files (photos, clips and so, approx. 1.5 TB) on a virtual hard disk.

Questions:

• Does this size of disk give any performance problems (approx 1.5 TB)?
• Is it possible to recover the data when for some reason the kvm becomes corrupted?

Now I'm thinking about storing the files on the VE host and share it with NFS. Then, on the KVM I mount this share, and share it again with Samba to make it accessible to my Windows laptop.

Question:

• Will this u-turn have a disastrous effect on the performance?

Any other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks, Ramon.

 

[tom]

I would store the files on the host and share them with nfs and samba, so you do not get any performance issue due to virtualization and you guest disks keeps small.

but better would be a dedicated NAS box.

 

[Ramon]

Thanks for your input Tom.

I forgot to tell that I will also run a web server, so I think it's better to store (at least the website files) on the same VM as the web server and database.
When I install a database on the host, everything runs on the host. And there's no more need for a VM.
It still seems handy to work with a virtual machine.

Btw, I have thought about a NAS, but I need the flexibility of a full Debian installation.

Are there any other options?

 

[tom]

I do not understand your question. if you want the data inside a KVM guest, just do it - what´s the question?

But maybe a container is better suited for your needs? (store big files on the host and use bind mounts to get access in your container)

Generally speaking, a file server is by design not the best candidate to run virtualized.

 

[Ramon]

You're right Tom.
I'll put my data on the host and bind mount it in a container.
Then I just see what happens, and if it works for me.

Thanks!