9.2 USB hard drive enclosure recommendations
The subject says it all. I am currently running 9.2 on my production system and have approx 1.5Gb of email and documents. A family member is getting 10.1 for me from the UK but they are only due back around the middle of June. Of course I would like to install it when it arrives but will not at do so at the risk of my other email and documents. Hence I would like to take a copy of my /home onto an external drive that would connect to the PC via USB. That way once 10.1 is installed I can import the old mail from the external drive.(Please tell me that Sea Monkey/Thunderbid/Mozilla allow mail imports in 10.1) I would think that going the enclosure route is the best as then I can upgrade the drive inside as and when I need to/can. I had a brief look at the linux-usb and the Lacie site but didn't seem to pick up what I was looking for. I did see that the Lacie 160Gb d2 external drive is Linux compatible but I wonder if anyone has prefernces for other makes or have used a particular item successfully on 9.2. In addition I do not thinkk it is exactly what I am looking for. Are there other sites I should rather look at? Help appreciated.
On Thursday 18 May 2006 09:41, Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:
That way once 10.1 is installed I can import the old mail from the external drive.(Please tell me that Sea Monkey/Thunderbid/Mozilla allow mail imports in 10.1)
Hi Hylton, I don't have a hardware recommendation for you but I do think it'd be a lot easier to make a 'mirror' copy of the directory /home/.mozilla (or whatever the current directory is that contains all your mail) and 'restoring' it to the same location after the new version is installed. If you do that before opening up seamonkey/t-bird/mozilla the first time, it should automatically recognize and incorporate the existing profile, including the mail. regards, Carl
Hi Carl, Carl Hartung wrote:
On Thursday 18 May 2006 09:41, Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote: <snip>
Hi Hylton,
I don't have a hardware recommendation for you.... What good are you ;)
..... but I do think it'd be a lot easier to make a 'mirror' copy of the directory /home/.mozilla (or whatever the current directory is that contains all your mail) and 'restoring' it to the same location after the new version is installed. Making a miror is what I had in mind and onto a secondary drive I have in the machine however I am sceptical about the reliability of the secondary drive, and I will initially be installing 10.1 on another test system. It is on there that I would like to replace the /home/.mozilla file with the one from my production box before opening seamonkey/t-bird/mozilla for the first time.
Asides from being a handy 'MTA' it also serves as a portable store/backup location. :)
If you do that before opening up seamonkey/t-bird/mozilla the first time, it should automatically recognize and incorporate the existing profile, including the mail. That is what I was hoping.
On Thursday, May 18, 2006 @ 8:42 AM, Hylton Conacher wrote:
The subject says it all.
I am currently running 9.2 on my production system and have approx 1.5Gb of email and documents. A family member is getting 10.1 for me from the UK but they are only due back around the middle of June. Of course I would like to install it when it arrives but will not at do so at the risk of my other email and documents. Hence I would like to take a copy of my /home onto an external drive that would connect to the PC via USB.
That way once 10.1 is installed I can import the old mail from the external drive.(Please tell me that Sea Monkey/Thunderbid/Mozilla allow mail imports in 10.1)
I would think that going the enclosure route is the best as then I can upgrade the drive inside as and when I need to/can.
I had a brief look at the linux-usb and the Lacie site but didn't seem to pick up what I was looking for. I did see that the Lacie 160Gb d2 external drive is Linux compatible but I wonder if anyone has prefernces for other makes or have used a particular item successfully on 9.2. In addition I do not thinkk it is exactly what I am looking for.
Are there other sites I should rather look at?
Help appreciated.
I bought one from the following site and am pleased with it -- www.usbgear.com I got the USBG-DKUS1 under USB Enclosures, but there are quite a few to choose from. Greg Wallace
Hi Greg, Greg Wallace wrote:
On Thursday, May 18, 2006 @ 8:42 AM, Hylton Conacher wrote:
<snip>
I bought one from the following site and am pleased with it --
www.usbgear.com
I got the USBG-DKUS1 under USB Enclosures, but there are quite a few to choose from. Thanks for the recommendation. It was exactly what I am looking for. I'll investigate the site and see what gives.
Tnx again
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:
Hi Greg,
Greg Wallace wrote:
On Thursday, May 18, 2006 @ 8:42 AM, Hylton Conacher wrote:
<snip>
I bought one from the following site and am pleased with it --
I bought an enclosure which is pretty nice, put a 180G drive in it, and use it for backup and other stuff. This enclosure has a USB connector (the one I use) and *two* firewire connectors. Why would a drive need two of these??? -- As a statistic, the US Unemployment Rate is like saying that no one is drowning because the flood waters have risen only five inches today.
On May 24, 2006, at 10:11 AM, ken wrote:
This enclosure has a USB connector (the one I use) and *two* firewire connectors. Why would a drive need two of these???
you can "daisy chain" firewire drives... -- Thank You, George
On Wednesday 24 May 2006 16:11, ken wrote:
This enclosure has a USB connector (the one I use) and *two* firewire connectors. Why would a drive need two of these???
with FW, You can daisy-chain other devices off the second plug! Jerry
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:
The subject says it all.
I am currently running 9.2 on my production system and have approx 1.5Gb of email and documents. A family member is getting 10.1 for me from the UK but they are only due back around the middle of June. Of course I would like to install it when it arrives but will not at do so at the risk of my other email and documents. Hence I would like to take a copy of my /home onto an external drive that would connect to the PC via USB.
That way once 10.1 is installed I can import the old mail from the external drive.(Please tell me that Sea Monkey/Thunderbid/Mozilla allow mail imports in 10.1)
I would think that going the enclosure route is the best as then I can upgrade the drive inside as and when I need to/can.
I had a brief look at the linux-usb and the Lacie site but didn't seem to pick up what I was looking for. I did see that the Lacie 160Gb d2 external drive is Linux compatible but I wonder if anyone has prefernces for other makes or have used a particular item successfully on 9.2. In addition I do not thinkk it is exactly what I am looking for.
Are there other sites I should rather look at?
Help appreciated.
*Every* HD is "Linux compatible" - all that is needed is to format it in one of the Linux file systems (but mine has 2 partitions with one formatted in FAT32 and the other in reiserfs). And dont't waste your money on buying "External USB Drive for Backup Purposes". These "Externals" are no more than an ordinary HD enclosed in an external case. For example, there is one here in OZ which sells for ~$AU499 and has a 300GB HD in an external case (USB connection). I can put together the same thing for ~$AU224 by buying the same HD and an external case at the local Computer Fair (300GB Maxtor/16MB cache ~$AU180 and the external case $AU35 - $AU49 depending on what turns you on). Get yourself an external case which- 1) uses an external power supply (HDs above a certain size draw too much power from the USB port and therefore cannot be used if the case doesn't use an external power supply); 2) has an ON/OFF switch; 3) preferably has an built-in fan to cool the box; and 4) uses the USB connection (there are some which use IEEE; but there are some which have both). Then get yourself an HD of your favourite brand and of the size you want/can afford, then put the HD into the box, format the HD and away you go backing things at your leisure. Cheers. -- All answers questioned here.
Hi Basil, Basil Chupin wrote:
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote: <snip> *Every* HD is "Linux compatible" - all that is needed is to format it in one of the Linux file systems (but mine has 2 partitions with one formatted in FAT32 and the other in reiserfs). I would have thought that every HD is compatible however it was a compatible enclusure I am seeking ie no drivers required.
And dont't waste your money on buying "External USB Drive for Backup Purposes". :( You've just flattened my whole day :)
It is easier and a quicker solution for me purchase a USB drive than try and fight with getting a better snd more decent switchbox between the two machines. Asides I can always use the drive to ferry large amounts of information too.
These "Externals" are no more than an ordinary HD enclosed in an external case. For example, there is one here in OZ which sells for ~$AU499 and has a 300GB HD in an external case (USB connection). I can put together the same thing for ~$AU224 by buying the same HD and an external case at the local Computer Fair (300GB Maxtor/16MB cache ~$AU180 and the external case $AU35 - $AU49 depending on what turns you on). All noted. I'll definitely see if I can build my own.
Get yourself an external case which-
1) uses an external power supply Wise advice 2) has an ON/OFF switch That parks the heads when off I would assume. 3) preferably has an built-in fan to cool the box I have one of these already :) , it is called a desktop PC :) 4) uses the USB connection (there are some which use IEEE; but there are some which have both). The more networking connections I say the better. Heck even 9pin serial is faster than no connection.
Then get yourself an HD of your favourite brand and of the size you want/can afford, then put the HD into the box, format the HD and away you go backing things at your leisure. External HDs are not backup media I have been told and accepted however tey do make good MTAs :)
Tnx
On Monday 22 May 2006 08:19 am, Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:
External HDs are not backup media I have been told
I have been using 2 external USB hard drives for this purpose for a few years, and I think they are great backup media. Bryan *************************************** Powered by Mepis Linux 3.4-3 KDE 3.5.2 KMail 1.8.3 This is a Microsoft-free computer Bryan S. Tyson bryantyson@earthlink.net ***************************************
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:
Hi Basil,
Basil Chupin wrote:
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote: <snip> *Every* HD is "Linux compatible" - all that is needed is to format it in one of the Linux file systems (but mine has 2 partitions with one formatted in FAT32 and the other in reiserfs).
I would have thought that every HD is compatible however it was a compatible enclusure I am seeking ie no drivers required.
I am getting this feeling that we are not on the same wavelength... The ENCLOSURE is simply an aluminium case/box which houses the hard drive. It uses a USB (or a Firewire or both) connector to hook up to your computer and once you plug it into your computer the OS automatically recognises it as a USB device and mounts it. The enclosure does not have any drivers - they are already installed in you OS.
And dont't waste your money on buying "External USB Drive for Backup Purposes". :( You've just flattened my whole day :)
It is easier and a quicker solution for me purchase a USB drive
Are you talking here about a Hard Drive or a USB *FLASH* drive? I am talking about an HD.
than try and fight with getting a better snd more decent switchbox between the two machines. Asides I can always use the drive to ferry large amounts of information too.
What "switch boxes" are you talking about? Where do they come from?! You simply plug the USB connector on the "enclosure" into one of the USB ports on your computer - and if you have 2 computers then you plug it into each one as and when required. "To ferry large amounts of information.." - this is what the HD is designed to do and which is why I suggested that you buy one which suits your needs and which meets your pocket. I have 2 of these external HDs which I "put together" by buying 2 enclosures: 1 is a 200GB/16MB cache Maxtor and the other a 80GB/4MB cache Maxtor which I use to backup the data on the 3 computers that I have.
These "Externals" are no more than an ordinary HD enclosed in an external case. For example, there is one here in OZ which sells for ~$AU499 and has a 300GB HD in an external case (USB connection). I can put together the same thing for ~$AU224 by buying the same HD and an external case at the local Computer Fair (300GB Maxtor/16MB cache ~$AU180 and the external case $AU35 - $AU49 depending on what turns you on). All noted. I'll definitely see if I can build my own.
Get yourself an external case which-
1) uses an external power supply Wise advice 2) has an ON/OFF switch That parks the heads when off I would assume.
No, the heads are parked automatically nowadays when the HD is not reading/writing. The switch is to switch if off otherwise it remains on all the time unless you switch if off at the powerpoint which is most probably somewhere under the damn table and I don't like getting under the table on all fours to grope for the powerpoint.
3) preferably has an built-in fan to cool the box I have one of these already :) , it is called a desktop PC :)
I *am* getting the feeling that we are on 2 different plains. When you get your external USB case, bought or built, and it doesn't have a fan then you will know what I am talking about here. While your PC has at least 1 fan and a large enough space within it for the heat from the HD to dissipate, the heat in the external case is trapped in very, very confined space and even though modern HDs can operate at ~70 degrees C I don't like to think that any of mine operate at close to that temperature.
4) uses the USB connection (there are some which use IEEE; but there are some which have both). The more networking connections I say the better. Heck even 9pin serial is faster than no connection.
Then get yourself an HD of your favourite brand and of the size you want/can afford, then put the HD into the box, format the HD and away you go backing things at your leisure.
External HDs are not backup media I have been told and accepted however tey do make good MTAs :)
Ce? "External HDs are not backup media"?! That's how they started life- as backup units for those who didn't have a second HD installed or, if they did, wanted a destination which could be transferred from one computer to the next for backup purposes. Someone is giving you wonky advice.
Tnx
Cheers. -- All answers questioned here.
I have a small smartdisk.com extrernal HD 80GB with FAT which works great for me so far. I love it. George
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:
<snip>
I would have thought that every HD is compatible however it was a compatible enclusure I am seeking ie no drivers required.
I am getting this feeling that we are not on the same wavelength...
The ENCLOSURE is simply an aluminium case/box which houses the hard drive. It uses a USB (or a Firewire or both) connector to hook up to your computer and once you plug it into your computer the OS automatically recognises it as a USB device and mounts it. The enclosure does not have any drivers - they are already installed in you OS. It was the incorect feeling you were having :D and also some misunderstanding on my part. I had read, some time back on this list
Hi, Basil Chupin wrote: that someone was having trouble with a USB HD enclosure. I asumed it was a M$ product and that it probably required drivers from the Windows OS. To clear up any confusion, are all the HD enclosures Linux compatible ie have a look at Lacie or did I read the site wrong ie it would seem only a d2 160Gb is compatible? Basically you are saying that all the HD enclosure is is a nice steel box for a HD and they require no additional software, other than what is already in the Linux OS?
It is easier and a quicker solution for me purchase a USB drive
Are you talking here about a Hard Drive or a USB *FLASH* drive? I am talking about an HD. Defeinitely the USB HD I am looking at as the Flash disks do not hold enough info ..yet.
than try and fight with getting a better snd more decent switchbox between the two machines. Asides I can always use the drive to ferry large amounts of information too.
What "switch boxes" are you talking about? Where do they come from?! The two machines are networked (ie have network cards) into a switch and both use a single keyboard/video and mouse, hence I have a KVM switch to switch between the two machines. The KVM switch is a little problematic and buying a new one is plenty $$$$. Purchasing the USB HD enclosure seems to be a better idea, $$ wise.
You simply plug the USB connector on the "enclosure" into one of the USB ports on your computer - and if you have 2 computers then you plug it into each one as and when required. Understood, just as I conect up any other USB device.
I have 2 of these external HDs which I "put together" by buying 2 enclosures: 1 is a 200GB/16MB cache Maxtor and the other a 80GB/4MB cache Maxtor which I use to backup the data on the 3 computers that I have. Just out of interest does the 2nd drive appear under a different mount
<snip> point if both enclosures are connected to a hub that is connected to the PC? <snip> I also hate groping for the powerpoint.
3) preferably has an built-in fan to cool the box
I have one of these already :) , it is called a desktop PC :)
I *am* getting the feeling that we are on 2 different plains.
When you get your external USB case, bought or built, and it doesn't have a fan then you will know what I am talking about here. While your PC has at least 1 fan and a large enough space within it for the heat from the HD to dissipate, the heat in the external case is trapped in very, very confined space and even though modern HDs can operate at ~70 degrees C I don't like to think that any of mine operate at close to that temperature. I was joking Basil and saying that mine is bigger than yours ;) All understood however.
External HDs are not backup media I have been told and accepted however tey do make good MTAs :)
Ce? "External HDs are not backup media"?! That's how they started life- as backup units for those who didn't have a second HD installed or, if they did, wanted a destination which could be transferred from one computer to the next for backup purposes. Assumed from an earlier remark, I think on this thread. Forget it, I have.
Tnx
On Thursday, May 25, 2006 @ 9:01 AM, Hylton Conacher wrote:
Hi,
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:
<snip>
I would have thought that every HD is compatible however it was a compatible enclusure I am seeking ie no drivers required.
I am getting this feeling that we are not on the same wavelength...
The ENCLOSURE is simply an aluminium case/box which houses the hard drive. It uses a USB (or a Firewire or both) connector to hook up to your computer and once you plug it into your computer the OS automatically recognises it as a USB device and mounts it. The enclosure does not have any drivers - they are already installed in you OS. It was the incorect feeling you were having :D and also some misunderstanding on my part. I had read, some time back on this list
Basil Chupin wrote: that someone was having trouble with a USB HD enclosure. I asumed it was a M$ product and that it probably required drivers from the Windows OS.
To clear up any confusion, are all the HD enclosures Linux compatible ie have a look at Lacie or did I read the site wrong ie it would seem only a d2 160Gb is compatible?
Basically you are saying that all the HD enclosure is is a nice steel box for a HD and they require no additional software, other than what is already in the Linux OS?
Basil can answer you on this, but from my own experience, any USB external hard drive device will work with either Windows or Linux, whether they're a plug-in drive that is all self-contained or a caddy-like device that allows you to swap out hard drives via a removable rack, etc. There are some differences among them (some have their own internal fans, etc.), but as far as os compatability, that's not an issue. As long as the hard drive is formatted into a file system that the os can work with, that's all that matters.
It is easier and a quicker solution for me purchase a USB drive
Are you talking here about a Hard Drive or a USB *FLASH* drive? I am talking about an HD. Defeinitely the USB HD I am looking at as the Flash disks do not hold enough info ..yet.
than try and fight with getting a better snd more decent switchbox between the two machines. Asides I can always use the drive to ferry large amounts of information too.
What "switch boxes" are you talking about? Where do they come from?! The two machines are networked (ie have network cards) into a switch and both use a single keyboard/video and mouse, hence I have a KVM switch to switch between the two machines. The KVM switch is a little problematic and buying a new one is plenty $$$$. Purchasing the USB HD enclosure seems to be a better idea, $$ wise.
You simply plug the USB connector on the "enclosure" into one of the USB ports on your computer - and if you have 2 computers then you plug it into each one as and when required. Understood, just as I conect up any other USB device.
<snip>
I have 2 of these external HDs which I "put together" by buying 2 enclosures: 1 is a 200GB/16MB cache Maxtor and the other a 80GB/4MB cache Maxtor which I use to backup the data on the 3 computers that I have. Just out of interest does the 2nd drive appear under a different mount point if both enclosures are connected to a hub that is connected to the PC?
<snip>
I also hate groping for the powerpoint.
3) preferably has an built-in fan to cool the box
I have one of these already :) , it is called a desktop PC :)
I *am* getting the feeling that we are on 2 different plains.
When you get your external USB case, bought or built, and it doesn't have a fan then you will know what I am talking about here. While your PC has at least 1 fan and a large enough space within it for the heat from the HD to dissipate, the heat in the external case is trapped in very, very confined space and even though modern HDs can operate at ~70 degrees C I don't like to think that any of mine operate at close to that temperature. I was joking Basil and saying that mine is bigger than yours ;) All understood however.
External HDs are not backup media I have been told and accepted however tey do make good MTAs :)
Ce? "External HDs are not backup media"?! That's how they started life- as backup units for those who didn't have a second HD installed or, if they did, wanted a destination which could be transferred from one computer to the next for backup purposes. Assumed from an earlier remark, I think on this thread. Forget it, I have.
Tnx
Greg Wallace
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:
Hi,
Basil Chupin wrote:
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:
<snip>
I would have thought that every HD is compatible however it was a compatible enclusure I am seeking ie no drivers required.
I am getting this feeling that we are not on the same wavelength...
The ENCLOSURE is simply an aluminium case/box which houses the hard drive. It uses a USB (or a Firewire or both) connector to hook up to your computer and once you plug it into your computer the OS automatically recognises it as a USB device and mounts it. The enclosure does not have any drivers - they are already installed in you OS.
It was the incorect feeling you were having :D and also some misunderstanding on my part. I had read, some time back on this list that someone was having trouble with a USB HD enclosure. I asumed it was a M$ product and that it probably required drivers from the Windows OS.
To clear up any confusion, are all the HD enclosures Linux compatible ie have a look at Lacie or did I read the site wrong ie it would seem only a d2 160Gb is compatible?
Basically you are saying that all the HD enclosure is is a nice steel box for a HD and they require no additional software, other than what is already in the Linux OS?
Yes. Enclosures are mostly aluminium but there are steel ones around as well. Aluminium dissipates heat quicker than steel and are lighter but steel ones suppress noise better (but this last feature really applies to cases for computers and not for these small enclosures). The OSs have the necessary drivers installed to be able to recognise the USB (and/or Flywire) external drives so it is simply a matter of plugging the device into a USB port. (The exceptions to this would be SuSE v10.0 which has (?had) a problem in recognising USB devices, and Windows prior to XP and (?)2000 - you need to install driver(s) in 98/Me. The other software you possibly may need is if you want to do PROPER backups in Windows where the inbuilt Backup facility has limitations (for example, the Registry backup does not backup the full Registry). Something like Acronis True Image I am told is the way to go for Windows. But you do not need any additional software if you want to do a backup in, say, SuSE by copying across a directory or 2 two or 3 or 4 or.... I copy my /home directory across to a partition formatted in reiserfs on the USB HD as a backup and also store backups of files on it as well.
It is easier and a quicker solution for me purchase a USB drive
Are you talking here about a Hard Drive or a USB *FLASH* drive? I am talking about an HD. Defeinitely the USB HD I am looking at as the Flash disks do not hold enough info ..yet.
4 GB is the biggest I saw last week at the Computer Fair.
than try and fight with getting a better snd more decent switchbox between the two machines. Asides I can always use the drive to ferry large amounts of information too.
What "switch boxes" are you talking about? Where do they come from?! The two machines are networked (ie have network cards) into a switch and both use a single keyboard/video and mouse, hence I have a KVM switch to switch between the two machines. The KVM switch is a little problematic and buying a new one is plenty $$$$. Purchasing the USB HD enclosure seems to be a better idea, $$ wise.
Back in 1990 I took over as Sysop of the largest BBS here and had a switch specially made to be able to switch between the server and the workstation to be able to do maintenance (using the same keyboard and monitor). The switch cost a small fortune - and it didn't work well so I had to chuck it :-(. It was a mechanical switch but now you can get electronic ones which work well I am told but, as you say, they COST. However, there is a small program (for Linux) which does this job. I have never used it but have its name here somewhere. I'll see if I can find it. But perhaps someone in this forum already has its name handy - anyone?
You simply plug the USB connector on the "enclosure" into one of the USB ports on your computer - and if you have 2 computers then you plug it into each one as and when required.
Understood, just as I conect up any other USB device.
Correct.
<snip>
I have 2 of these external HDs which I "put together" by buying 2 enclosures: 1 is a 200GB/16MB cache Maxtor and the other a 80GB/4MB cache Maxtor which I use to backup the data on the 3 computers that I have.
Just out of interest does the 2nd drive appear under a different mount point if both enclosures are connected to a hub that is connected to the PC?
Now, here we have a potential terminology problem. By "hub" do you mean one of those USB cables which plugs into a USB port on your PC but at the other end of the cable has a 4-port (or more than 4 ports) box which allows 4 USB devices to be plugged in? If this is what you mean by a "hub" - a one-to-many - cable then the answer to your question is that you CANNOT plug SAME devices on such a cable/hub because only ONE of them will work. DIFFERENT devices will work OK. For example you can plug in a mouse, mp3 player, HD, and a keyboard at the 4-port end and they will work but if you plugged in 2 mouses then only 1 will work. However, if your PCs each have 2 USB ports then you can plug each of your enclosures - like I do - into a separate port and both will be recognised as a separate unit, be assigned an individual ID (eg, sda5 and sda6 or in Windows drive "O" and drive "P" or whatever) and they simply become just another device on your PC. Another way to tackle this is to get a USB card which you plug into a PCI slot; these normally can have upto 6 ports (?or more - there is a finite number of USB ports you can have on a PC).
<snip>
I also hate groping for the powerpoint.
3) preferably has an built-in fan to cool the box
I have one of these already :) , it is called a desktop PC :)
I *am* getting the feeling that we are on 2 different plains.
When you get your external USB case, bought or built, and it doesn't have a fan then you will know what I am talking about here. While your PC has at least 1 fan and a large enough space within it for the heat from the HD to dissipate, the heat in the external case is trapped in very, very confined space and even though modern HDs can operate at ~70 degrees C I don't like to think that any of mine operate at close to that temperature.
I was joking Basil and saying that mine is bigger than yours ;) All understood however.
I thought that you may be and I was looking for a smiley (:-)). Pays to put one in sometimes :-).
External HDs are not backup media I have been told and accepted however tey do make good MTAs :)
Ce? "External HDs are not backup media"?! That's how they started life- as backup units for those who didn't have a second HD installed or, if they did, wanted a destination which could be transferred from one computer to the next for backup purposes. Assumed from an earlier remark, I think on this thread. Forget it, I have.
Tnx
Not a problem. Cheers. PS Hans is giving good advice about an enclosure which he knows about. My only comment is that enclosures with both USB and Flywire connectors are more expensive - but in the end may be cheaper if suddenly you have a need to connect it to the Flywire connector on the PC- or even daisy-chain a number of these enclosures. Horses for courses. -- All answers questioned here.
Basil Chupin wrote:
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:
<snip>
To clear up any confusion, are all the HD enclosures Linux compatible ie have a look at Lacie or did I read the site wrong ie it would seem only a d2 160Gb is compatible?
Basically you are saying that all the HD enclosure is is a nice steel box for a HD and they require no additional software, other than what is already in the Linux OS?
Yes.
Enclosures are mostly aluminium but there are steel ones around as well. Aluminium dissipates heat quicker than steel and are lighter but steel ones suppress noise better (but this last feature really applies to cases for computers and not for these small enclosures). Sorry, I meant to say aluminum but steel alsp gives the same basic idea ie a metallic enclosure. ;)
The OSs have the necessary drivers installed to be able to recognise the USB (and/or Flywire) external drives so it is simply a matter of plugging the device into a USB port. (The exceptions to this would be SuSE v10.0 which has (?had) a problem in recognising USB devices, and Windows prior to XP and (?)2000 - you need to install driver(s) in 98/Me.
The other software you possibly may need is if you want to do PROPER backups in Windows where the inbuilt Backup facility has limitations (for example, the Registry backup does not backup the full Registry). Something like Acronis True Image I am told is the way to go for Windows. I concur about the Acronis product and have had good results when I used the partitioning tool PartitionExpert.
But you do not need any additional software if you want to do a backup in, say, SuSE by copying across a directory or 2 two or 3 or 4 or.... I copy my /home directory across to a partition formatted in reiserfs on the USB HD as a backup and also store backups of files on it as well.
Defeinitely the USB HD I am looking at as the Flash disks do not hold enough info ..yet.
4 GB is the biggest I saw last week at the Computer Fair. At a $ cost :)
The two machines are networked (ie have network cards) into a switch and both use a single keyboard/video and mouse, hence I have a KVM switch to switch between the two machines. The KVM switch is a little problematic and buying a new one is plenty $$$$. Purchasing the USB HD enclosure seems to be a better idea, $$ wise.
<snip>
However, there is a small program (for Linux) which does this job. I have never used it but have its name here somewhere. I'll see if I can find it. But perhaps someone in this forum already has its name handy - anyone? mmm, that would be interesting especially if I could do away with the mechanical KVM switch.
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Just out of interest does the 2nd drive appear under a different mount point if both enclosures are connected to a hub that is connected to the PC?
Now, here we have a potential terminology problem. By "hub" do you mean one of those USB cables which plugs into a USB port on your PC but at the other end of the cable has a 4-port (or more than 4 ports) box which allows 4 USB devices to be plugged in? I do.
If this is what you mean by a "hub" - a one-to-many - cable then the answer to your question is that you CANNOT plug SAME devices on such a cable/hub because only ONE of them will work. DIFFERENT devices will work OK. For example you can plug in a mouse, mp3 player, HD, and a keyboard at the 4-port end and they will work but if you plugged in 2 mouses then only 1 will work. I thought that there would be some sort of 'interrupt' problem.
However, if your PCs each have 2 USB ports then you can plug each of your enclosures - like I do - into a separate port and both will be recognised as a separate unit, be assigned an individual ID (eg, sda5 and sda6 or in Windows drive "O" and drive "P" or whatever) and they simply become just another device on your PC.
Another way to tackle this is to get a USB card which you plug into a PCI slot; these normally can have upto 6 ports (?or more - there is a finite number of USB ports you can have on a PC). My PC does have 2 USB ports so I'll just have to run another extension cable from the back of the machine to the front, no problem.
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I thought that you may be and I was looking for a smiley (:-)). Pays to put one in sometimes :-). Sorry :[
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Thanks Basil et al. PS: Basil, I am subbed to the list so you dont have to Cc my 'Reply-To' address
On Thu, 2006-05-18 at 15:41 +0200, Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:
I had a brief look at the linux-usb and the Lacie site but didn't seem to pick up what I was looking for. I did see that the Lacie 160Gb d2 external drive is Linux compatible but I wonder if anyone has prefernces for other makes or have used a particular item successfully on 9.2. In addition I do not thinkk it is exactly what I am looking for.
Are there other sites I should rather look at?
Hi Hylton, I'm not sure in which part of the country you are, but the best enclosures available locally, in my opinion, are the ones from SNT http://www.snt.com.tw/ which you can get from Cyberdyne (www.cyberdyne.co.za) They have metal bodies, and decent cooling fans built in, the USB_to_IDE circuitry is by far the best performing I've worked with, and the connectors inside are solid (instead of being flimsy cables. My recommendation would be to get one of them (you get both USB2 and USB2/Firewire combo units) and a Seagate IDE disc (they run the coolest). I'm using this as a backup solution at several clients and it works very very well in Linux. And much cheaper than buying a ready-made external disc. Hans
One more thing: On Thu, 2006-05-18 at 15:41 +0200, Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:
That way once 10.1 is installed I can import the old mail from the external drive.(Please tell me that Sea Monkey/Thunderbid/Mozilla allow mail imports in 10.1) I run courier-imap on my notebook to use as a mail store. This separates the way mail is stored from the mail client. If I want to change mail clients, or try something out, no worries. If I manage to break my mail client, no worries, I can use something else for the time being. Upgrade? No problem. I use fetchmail --> postfix and procmail to sort and deliver mail to a Maildir/ structure.
Hans
participants (10)
-
Basil Chupin -
Bryan S. Tyson -
Carl Hartung -
George Stoianov -
Greg Wallace -
Hans du Plooy -
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) -
Jerry Westrick -
ken -
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