Understanding 11.6.2 locations on Fusion Drive.
I am rebuilding my imac with 1TB SSD external drive. All is well and Samsung SSD T7 is doing fine. Where I need help is in understanding where OS base system resides and how the OS distributes OS components.
For example, I am mystified to discover a clean install of 11.6.2 on 2 TB iMac fusion drive results in two sets of Applications; one set in the normal location and another duplicate set in System>Applications.
Additional apps go into the normal Applications folder only, which makes me wonder if the duplicates are simply protected system apps for the system to regenerate. When I originally saw the two sets of Applications I first wondered if, despite disk erasure, I had somehow installed over an existing system.
Further Disk Utility reading reveals the Mac OS Base system is a virtual image on a SATA mounted HDD while the HD-Data plus HD-data volumes are PCIe mounted which suggests they are the SSD component of fusion. So why two data volumes?
I find my previous mac experience hinders my understanding of what to expect when safely installing copies of the OS 11.6.2. I read every OS iteration will have its own volume created and insulated against corruption wherever it is stored. That is comforting.
I also read new installations should be downloaded onto HD. Why? For example, assuming there is space, why not have an OS on a HD-Data volume? I am missing pieces of the jigsaw!
Can anyone refer me to a plain English article which explains the default preferences which OS 11.6.2 (Apple) prefers and helps clear up my confusion?
Many Thanks.
