Auto-spindown for external disks..

[Tor Tveitane]

Hi,

I plan to purchase a Linksys NSLU2 and a couple of USB disks (Maxtor
OneTouch?) to connect to it.

I want to use this setup for backup purposes. However I need the drives to
automatically stop rotating after a defined number of minutes with no disk
activity. I don't want them to spin 24/7 as I just need to backup stuff
once each day.

Does the disk auto-spindown functionality depend on the drive's IDE
controller or would the drives need 'stop' commands transmitted across the
USB link?

Does anyone here know if the above scenario will support auto-spindown of
the drives? Do you have any (other) suggestions to achieve what I describe?

Thanks for any comments or tips (also on which external disk brand /models
which are most reliable ;-)

best regards

Tor

 

[Rod Speed]

I plan to purchase a Linksys NSLU2 and a couple
of USB disks (Maxtor OneTouch?) to connect to it.

I want to use this setup for backup purposes. However I need
the drives to automatically stop rotating after a defined number
of minutes with no disk activity. I don't want them to spin 24/7
as I just need to backup stuff once each day.

Does the disk auto-spindown functionality depend
on the drive's IDE controller or would the drives
need 'stop' commands transmitted across the USB link?

It can be done both ways, entirely done in
the drive itself, and commanded over the link.

Does anyone here know if the above scenario
will support auto-spindown of the drives?

Yes, some external drives have that capability standard.

Do you have any (other) suggestions to achieve what I describe?

Its obviously possible to do it with a dedicated PC for the drives.

Thanks for any comments or tips (also on which external
disk brand /models which are most reliable ;-)

I'd use internal drives in a separate server myself.

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

It can be done both ways, entirely done in the drive itself,

But set by the USB->IDE bridge.

and commanded over the link.

If that is supported by the USB protocoll.

 

[Rod Speed]

But set by the USB->IDE bridge.

Wrong. It can also be done by the drive itself.

If that is supported by the USB protocoll.

Doesnt need to be, supported by the bridge capability, actually.

 

[Eric Gisin]

The proper method is for the USB-IDE bridge to translate USB and SCSI power
commands into ATA power commands. In that case, Windows issues the commands.

Often the bridge's sets the drive to spin down. Not a good idea, but it prevents overheating.

Note: if you are using the machine, explorer and other apps
scan drive letters, and the drives spin up constantly.

 

[bxf]

I'd like to barge in on this discussion.

All this talk about IDE, ATA, bridges, etc. loses me. Can anybody tell
me what I need to do in order to make my laptop's extenal USB drive
(LaCie) spin down? Or does the fact that it doesn't imply that
something somewhere is not supported?

TIA.

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

Wrong. It can also be done by the drive itself.

Which will not be ATA compliant:

6.11.2 Standby timer

The Standby timer provides a method for the device to automatically enter Standby mode from either Active or
Idle mode *following a host programmed period of inactivity*. If the Standby timer is enabled and if the device is
in the Active or Idle mode, the device waits for the specified time period and if no command is received, the
device automatically enters the Standby mode.

Doesnt need to be, supported by the bridge capability, actually.

If that's a sentence.

 

[Rod Speed]

Which will not be ATA compliant:

Wrong, as always.

6.11.2 Standby timer

The Standby timer provides a method for the device to
automatically enter Standby mode from either Active or
Idle mode *following a host programmed period of inactivity*.

That just means that the host can specify the period of inactivity.

That doesnt need to be the host its being used with when it idles.

If the Standby timer is enabled and if the device is in the Active
or Idle mode, the device waits for the specified time period and if no
command is received, the device automatically enters the Standby mode.

What I said in different words.

If that's a sentence.

Pathetic, really.

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

Wrong, as always.

We'll see.

That just means that the host can specify the period of inactivity.

Must specify.

That doesnt need to be the host its being used with when it idles.
Irrelevant.


What I said in different words.
Nope.



Pathetic, really.

Yes, it is.

 

[Rod Speed]

We'll see.

We've seen.

Must specify.

Nope, it doesnt have to be set at all.

Irrelevant.

Nope. Doesnt matter if the USB/IDE bridge
can do that, you can set it some other way.

Yep.

Yes, it is.

Pathetic, really.

When I want some advice for a pathetic little pseudokraut
on what is a viable sentance english, I'll ring a bell.

In the mean time....