Insight on partitioning a LAMP Server design issue

[sgoldman-DPNOqEs/LNQ at public.gmane.org (Stephen Goldman)]

Hello Blu,
    Request insight on partitioning a new "LAMP" server with two partitions. 
    Seeking input from others more experienced than me.. thanks,   
    Are there any posted guidlines for best performance. Wish to provide best product
   
    The device is a brand new Dell server with: 
    /dev/sda    raid one 160 G
    /dev/sdb    raid five 270G 

    32 G phyiscal ram
    RHEL 5.3

    My plan was to partition /dev/sda as follows:

    /            25  G
    /            20  G swap
    / var       25 G
    /tmp      20  G
    /home   remainer

    /dev/sdb

    /data    =  270 G

    I am provisioning the machine for others who will configure ,Apache and Mysql


    I suggested they redirect the Apache root folders and Mysql db to run on /dev/sdb.
    The researcher who is creating the site states he has only worked with both services when configured inside /var.
    Linmited experience.

    I know the Apache can be redirected .. but no sure of how the redirect Mysql   to live on       /dev/sdb --
    
    Questions: 
    Does the partitioning scheme make sense .. 
    Is there performance gains running the services on the partitiion /dev/sdb
    Is it difficult to redirect the services on /dev/sdb ?
    Is it easier to place /var  on  /dev/sdb  size it to the whole partition? 
    
    /home does not need to be  70 G .. but the space  is there //

    Thanks for you input,

Stephen

    













Stephen Goldman
Systems Administrator
Department of Biology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
31 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
sgoldman-3s7WtUTddSA at public.gmane.org, (617) 452-2595