On Tue, Feb 06, 2024 at 01:20:45PM +0100, Carlos E. R. wrote:
In the years between, I heard a '2.5 Admin' podcast that slated a particular batch/vintage of SATA cables that were prone to deteriorating due to a reaction from one of the dyes used in the casings (ISTR).
But what sort of damage can make a cable fail in that manner?
Electrochemical migration (dendrites)? I don't know. Mine is anecdata and seems to be borne out by many others experiencing problems with relatively cheap SATA cables that carry gigabits of data for millions of seconds, who are then surprised that these things do fail. NASA Goddard have some fascinating pages on they mysteries of tin whiskers (which aren't dendrites): https://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/background/index.htm They had a list of confirmed/suspected losses on there too, which made for very expensive failures. I'm in awe of the level of research they've detailed and collated, and the wonderful universe that we catch glimpses of. Daniel