Re: Non-hard drive partitions on locked down server?
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Date: 03/08/05
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Date: Tue, 08 Mar 2005 00:16:34 -0500
On Tue, 08 Mar 2005 03:51:01 +0000, Jem Berkes wrote:
> I am working on setting up a server that will be locked away in a
> physically inaccessible place, and am trying to take some precautionary
> measures to minimize downtime. The server doesn't have to do much, really
> just a log in server for ssh/ssl/vnc gateway purposes. Minor storage.
>
> I want to have no hard drives on this system.
>
> The bulk of the filesystem can be loaded off of CD-ROMs. This is of course
> read-only and physically unalterable. A reboot would restore the system
> state. Persistent intruders would be (nearly) impossible.
>
> Does anyone have any experience using something like a USB flash drive for
> non-volatile storage on such a setup? I know I could use RAM drives but I
> need persistent storage (log files, home directories) and don't care much
> about speed at all. The disk access will be minor.
>
Hi Jem. No such experience here. In appreciation of your past
intelligent and helpful messages, I thought you should get some speedy and
hopefully helpful responses. Maybe this could be a "sounding board" for
some other, more knowledgeable or helpful replies.
> As I understand it, many USB flash drives insist on carrying FAT file
> systems. If that is the case then how can I go about introducing multiple
> filesystem mount points within a SINGLE physical flash drive?
>
Not sure anyone thought of that before. I think in this case that
"conventional wisdom" says each physical device needs its own and only one
mount point. Naturally, you could have software on CD or USB that could
over-ride that using sym-links or some other magic, IDK.
> Would it work to, within a single FAT partition for the flash drive, create
> multiple files to use as loopback mounts? I presume this will safely offer
> all the UNIX permissions I need once those loopbacks are mounted.
>
Sorry, I couldn't say, that's over my head.
> Or any other ideas for how to do persistent r/w storage without using a
> hard drive? I also don't have any network storage, must be local.
Well, you did say a single flash drive, but maybe you might want consider
more than one flash drive for different purposes, directories or mount
points. USB hubs for 4, 8(, 16 ?) flash drives are becoming more
available and less expensive (and no moving parts !! 8-) ) Just a
thought.
I hope someone else can follow up with something more useful, insightful
or just plain experienced or smart, "out-of-the-box" to help you get this
done, and just as quickly as possible. Also hope the good results you
achieve will trickle down to all the rest of us who are looking for any
major or minor "silver bullets". Please continue to help keep us informed.
Thanks again and best wishes.
- Next message: Keith Keller: "Re: Non-hard drive partitions on locked down server?"
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- In reply to: Jem Berkes: "Non-hard drive partitions on locked down server?"
- Next in thread: Keith Keller: "Re: Non-hard drive partitions on locked down server?"
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