How to configure 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.