Configuring storage layouts

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MAAS supports multiple storage layouts, including options for non-UEFI-compatible systems.

Flat layout

The Flat layout means one partition takes up the whole boot disk, formatted with ext4 and mounted at the root (/).

Name Size Type Filesystem Mount point
sda - disk - -
sda1 512 MB part FAT32 /boot/efi
sda2 rest of sda part ext4 /

Options:

  • boot_size: Sets the size of the boot partition. Default is zero, putting /boot on the root filesystem.
  • root_device: The block device for the root partition. Usually the boot disk.
  • root_size: Root partition size, 100% by default.

LVM layout

LVM (Logical Volume Management) offers flexibility. A volume group vgroot covers a partition on the boot disk, wrapping logical volume lvroot.

Name Size Type Filesystem Mount point
sda - disk - -
sda1 512 MB part FAT32 /boot/efi
sda2 rest of sda part lvm-pv(vgroot) -
lvroot rest of sda lvm ext4 /

Options:

  • vg_name: Customise volume group’s name.
  • lv_name: Personalise logical volume’s name.
  • lv_size: Set the size, defaulting to the entire volume group.

bcache layout

For better disk performance, the bcache layout uses the boot disk as the backing device and an SSD as the cache.

Name Size Type Filesystem Mount point
sda - disk - -
sda1 512 MB part FAT32 /boot/efi
sda2 rest of sda part bc-backing -
sdb(ssd) - disk - -
sdb1 100% of sdb part bc-cache -
bcache0 per sda2 disk ext4 /

Options:

  • cache_device: Opt for cache device, defaulting to the smallest SSD.
  • cache_mode: Adjust the cache mode; writethrough is standard.
  • cache_size: Define cache partition size.
  • cache_no_part: Decide on partition creation for the cache device.

VMFS6 layout

For VMware ESXi deployments, VMFS6 is the required layout, automating both OS and datastore configurations.

Name Size Type Use
sda - disk -
sda1 3 MB part EFI
sda2 4 GB part Basic Data
sda3 Remaining part VMFS Datastore 1

Options:

  • root_size: Sets the default VMFS Datastore size, generally the remaining disk space.

Blank layout

The Blank layout clears all, making way for custom configurations. It leaves the system un-deployable until you manually configure storage.

Machines with this layout need manual storage configuration before deployment.

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