I noticed that Linux server distros are using LVM as default. What is so good about LVM, and when should I use it? Is there a GUI for managing LVM volumes like GParted, or is it just through the terminal? How is it different from RAID in using multiple drives for one volume?
LVM is just a way more flexible partition table. It gives you the possibility to grow partitions at a later date. You probably not think you can do that with MBR or GPT too. Well yes, but only when the spare room is adjacent to the partition you want to grow. With LVM you can grow partitions even if the free space is somewhere else on the disk.
So you can grow any disk ‘partition’ at any time as long as you have some free space in the group.
Another advantage is that you can encrypt logical volumes easily. Usually that’s supported when you install the OS.
You can also stack LVM on top of a software RAID, so you can create a mdadm from a disk partition of several disks and create a VG on that with LVs to spilt it into pieces.
I usually use LVM on every server. There is no need not to and gives you options for the future.