On 2014-07-06 01:37 (GMT-0400) Anton Aylward composed:
And what about the new?
If you want maximum possible throughput, don't clone from an old HD with 512 sectors to one that uses 4k, euphemistically called "advanced format" by their manufacturers. Instead, partition with a tool that understands how to optimize advanced format devices, create new filesystem(s), copy the content, install bootloader. It's not that big of a deal if: 1-you're not trying to partition with a naive partitioning tool; or 2-you're not demanding optimal small file performance, in which case treaure your 512 HDs and do whatever you can to make them last.
I run this on my recent disks and still get 512.
It may depend on the age of the tool, and what kind of lie the device firmware is providing if it is lying. If the disk was made after 2010, it almost certainly has 4k sectors if it's any of the major brands that have since existed, WD, Seagate, Toshiba, Hitachi, Fuji, Samsung. Some older already have 4k. Goto the manufacturer's web site with the model number and find out for sure, if you're convinced it matters to your installation(s). The question isn't whether you can ignore 4k boundaries, because it is allowed. The disks internally manage by reading and writing 4k chunks whenever smaller is requested. Different brands have different names for the process, but commonly the term "512 emulation" is used. The relevant question is what the performance penalty to be paid is by not aligning partitions on 4k boundaries, not whether you must or must not adhere to 4k boundaries. http://www.seagate.com/tech-insights/advanced-format-4k-sector-hard-drives-m... has one explanation of the emulation process, among other ramifications of 4k. -- "The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive." Proverbs 16:21 (New Living Translation) Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks! Felix Miata *** http://fm.no-ip.com/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, e-mail: opensuse+owner@opensuse.org