What is the best way to set up RAID-1 on new Ubuntu install

Jeffery Small <jeff@xxxxxxxx> · Wed, 3 Sep 2025 21:04:48 -0000 (UTC)

I will be installing Xubuntu 24.04.3 on a newly built system having two
4TB Samsung M.2 SSDs which will be mirrored using RAID-1.  My question is
what is the better way to set up the mirror.  I'll have 128GB of RAM and
will be using a swapfile after installation.

Method #1: After the UEFI partition is created on both disks, create GPT
           /boot, / and /home partitions on each SSD and then create
	   three separate mirrors:

	   md0: /boot

	   md1: /

	   md2: /home

Method #2: After the UEFI partition is created on both disks, mirror md0
	   using the rest of the free space.  Then create GPT partitions
	   directly on the mirror:

	   md0p1: /boot

	   md0p2: /

	   md0p3: /home

This will be a straightforward desktop workstation, with no encryption or
support for multiple OS installs.  Are there advantages or possible pitfalls
with either approach?

I'm also considering eliminating the boot and home partitions and just
using a single root partition which feels strange after using UNIX for over
40 years. From a raid perspective does this also have advantages/pitfalls?

Thanks.
--
Jeffery Small