Overview
Understanding the distinction between an OS disk and a Data disk is crucial for effective volume management. Each serves a different purpose and can be configured with specific attributes, including bootability.
OS Disk
- Definition:
The OS disk contains the operating system and necessary boot files. - Bootable Attribute:
Marking a volume as bootable designates it as the primary disk from which a virtual machine can boot. - Usage:
Typically used to launch new instances with a pre-configured operating system environment.
Data Disk
- Definition:
Data disks are used for storing application data, databases, and other non-OS files. - Usage:
They can be attached to VMs to provide additional storage capacity without affecting the system’s boot process.
Key Differences
- Bootable Flag:
Only OS disks are marked bootable, indicating they contain the necessary system files to start an instance. - Functionality:
OS disks are integral to system operation, while Data disks focus on storage for applications and user data.
Best Practices
- Separation of Duties:
Keep OS and Data disks separate to streamline management and backup processes. - Performance Tuning:
Use SSD-disk for OS disks if rapid boot times are essential, and HDD-disk for data disks if cost efficiency is prioritized. - Security:
Apply stricter security policies on OS disks to protect system integrity.
