Recommended disk partition sizes to hold typical Debian installations:
/boot ¼ - 1 - 1 GB Kernels (250 MB) + rescue cd image (750 MB).
/ 10 - 20 - 40 GB Desktop programs
/swap 4 - 12 - 24 GB Hybernation (1.5xRAM)
/tmp* 1 - 5 - 5 GB To be able to hold entire DVD images
/var 3 - 8 - 32 GB Accumulating files (apt/log/web/mail/mysql data)
/home 5 - 74 - 80 GB Rest
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Sub: 24 - 120 - 190 GB
8 - 40 - 64 GB Unalocated to be able to expand LVM volumes later (easier than shrinking)
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TOTAL 32 - 160 - 256 GB
*Mount with: `nosuid,nodev,noexec`
| Amount of RAM in the system | Recommended swap space | Recommended swap space if allowing for hibernation |
|---|---|---|
| less than 2GB | 2x RAM amount | 3x RAM amount |
| 2GB – 8GB | equal to RAM amount | 2x RAM amount |
| 8GB – 64GB | 4GB to 0.5x RAM amount | 1.5x RAM amount |
| more than 64GB | At least 4GB | Hibernation not recommended |
Adapted from: Redhat Recommended Partitioning Scheme