In this article, Daniel Robbins introduces the Enterprise Volume Management System (EVMS) for Linux. He explains what EVMS is, why it is so desperately needed, and why it will very likely transform the way storage is managed on Linux systems.
Advanced Filesystem Implementor’s Guide, Part 12
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Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
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EVMS is a superb product. But not only does it provide all the sweetness Daniel describes in his write-up, it also provides a critical piece to an extremely smooth coupling between AIX and Linux. I mean, if you can’t now, in the future you will be able to import AIX volume groups into your Linux system. Wouldn’t it be nice if they released SSA drivers for Linux?
Of course, it’s possible for all Unix and storage manufacturers to write their own EVMS modules.
I think it’s funny that – although the Linux developers have refused to merge their LVM and RAID technology (like IBM does in AIX), IBM has gone ahead and done it anyway with EVMS. I say good for IBM. I have never discovered a situation where there’s an advantage to having my RAID and LVM subsystems separated, that is not thrice outweighed by the convenience of having them managed by the same interface. The AIX LVM rocks, simply put, and, aside from this recent ML10 nastiness, is the easiest to use and most robust LVM out there. It’s simply difficult to make it fail. I think the Linux community is a bit intimidated by all the technology IBM is throwing out there for it. And maybe wisely so, but it’s all released under the GPL, so I say use it!
I agree! I’ve been using EVMS on my main workstation for a number of months now, and I’ve become very impressed with its robustness and functionality. Just be sure to use it with filesystems that fully support resizing, like ReiserFS or ext2/3.
We have more on EVMS at PCLinuxOnline.com:
http://www.pclinuxonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid…