WebSphere Application Server V7.0: Concepts ... - IBM Redbooks

Different file systems for the following purposes are useful:
► Application binaries
This file system stores the product binaries as dumped by the installer. When
designing this file system keep in mind that installing maintenance causes this
file system to grow.
► Profiles
This file system stores the profile-specific data that defines your runtime
environment. The minimum disk space required depends on the profile type
you create. The amount of user data needed depends on the applications
deployed to the profile.
► Log files
The purpose of this file system is to hold the log files of the application
servers. If this file system is not mounted under the default mount point you
have to change the server configuration for each server. This can be
accomplished either through scripting or by using a custom server template.
The size depends on the application and on the log retention policy of the
application servers.
► Dumps
System core dumps and Java heap dumps can be large and quickly fill a file
system. Therefore, it is a good practice to redirect system dumps, Java heap
dumps, and the Java core dumps to a dedicated directory.
This avoids a dumping process or Java virtual machine (JVM) filling up file
systems and impacting other running applications. It also allows you to locate
them easily. The size depends on the number of JVMs dumping to this
directory, their individual sizes, the number of dumps you want to retain, and
so on.
► Maintenance packages/CIM repositories
For easier management of your installation packages and your fix packs or
individual fixes you should keep them in a central repository. If you use the
centralized installation manager (CIM), this repository is located on the
deployment manager system.
Note: You do not need this file system on every server. Just maintain one
repository containing all your installation media, fixes, fix packs, and so on,
to have all installables at hand in case you need them.
► User data and content
This file system should be used to store other user data and content being
used in the applications.
Chapter 6. Installation 183