Hi,
Is it possible to install the OS of clearOS in a USB flash drive and boot from there everytime? I'm asking is because I will be using the machine as my NAS and I prefer not to use a SATA slot for the OS if possible.
And if it's possible, is it safe/wise to do so?
Thanks.
Is it possible to install the OS of clearOS in a USB flash drive and boot from there everytime? I'm asking is because I will be using the machine as my NAS and I prefer not to use a SATA slot for the OS if possible.
And if it's possible, is it safe/wise to do so?
Thanks.
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Accepted Answer
I'll not go into detail - but to be successful you will need to use several techniques to minimize writes to the USB flash
These include things such as (no particular order - just what comes to mind)
1) reducing the amount of logging - edit /etc/rsyslog.conf - and similar logging config options for other programs
2) creating a memory drive for the remaining logs (lost at power-down/reboot) - optional
3) if using ext filesystems - specify noatime option in /etc/fstab (not necessary for xfs)
4) don't use programs that are memory write intensive such as the squid proxy disable others eg updatedb
5) set /proc/sys/vm/swappiness to zero
6) install plenty of memory to reduce swapping to practically zero
7) use a really good quality USB flash drive - no cheapies
I'm sure there are plenty more hints on the web if you do a search
As for is it possible? - can your BIOS boot from a USB drive?
Safe/Wise? That's your risk assessment. As a minimum once you have completed the install use "dd" to make a complete copy of your USB flash drive onto another identical USB drive. Do NOT copy the drive running the current system - for instance use the install USB drive and use the option to get a command line.. This requires 3 USB drives...
1) The one you booted from
2) the one you are copying - completed installation (using dd) FROM
3) the one you are copying TO
Make sure you know which is which :-)
Should give you food for thought...
These include things such as (no particular order - just what comes to mind)
1) reducing the amount of logging - edit /etc/rsyslog.conf - and similar logging config options for other programs
2) creating a memory drive for the remaining logs (lost at power-down/reboot) - optional
3) if using ext filesystems - specify noatime option in /etc/fstab (not necessary for xfs)
4) don't use programs that are memory write intensive such as the squid proxy disable others eg updatedb
5) set /proc/sys/vm/swappiness to zero
6) install plenty of memory to reduce swapping to practically zero
7) use a really good quality USB flash drive - no cheapies
I'm sure there are plenty more hints on the web if you do a search
As for is it possible? - can your BIOS boot from a USB drive?
Safe/Wise? That's your risk assessment. As a minimum once you have completed the install use "dd" to make a complete copy of your USB flash drive onto another identical USB drive. Do NOT copy the drive running the current system - for instance use the install USB drive and use the option to get a command line.. This requires 3 USB drives...
1) The one you booted from
2) the one you are copying - completed installation (using dd) FROM
3) the one you are copying TO
Make sure you know which is which :-)
Should give you food for thought...
Responses (2)
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Accepted Answer
Just remembered this... Provided you can boot from USB - here's something much more durable...
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/03/western-digital-makes-a-46-314gb-hard-drive-just-for-the-raspberry-pi/ -
Accepted Answer
Tony Ellis wrote:
I'll not go into detail - but to be successful you will need to use several techniques to minimize writes to the USB flash
These include things such as (no particular order - just what comes to mind)
1) reducing the amount of logging - edit /etc/rsyslog.conf - for logging config options for other programs
2) creating a memory drive for the remaining logs (lost at power-down/reboot) - optional
3) if using ext filesystems - specify noatime option in /etc/fstab (not necessary for xfs)
4) don't use programs that are memory write intensive such as the squid proxy disable others eg updatedb
5) set /proc/sys/vm/swappiness to zero
6) install plenty of memory to reduce swapping to practically zero
7) use a really good quality USB flash drive - no cheapies
I'm sure there are plenty more hints on the web if you do a search
As for is it possible? - can your BIOS boot from a USB drive?
Safe/Wise? That's your risk assessment. As a minimum once you have completed the install use "dd" to make a complete copy of your USB flash drive onto another identical USB drive. Do NOT copy the drive running the current system - for instance use the install USB drive and use the option to get a command line.. This requires 3 USB drives...
1) The one you booted from
2) the one you are copying - completed installation (using dd) FROM
3) the one you are copying TO
Make sure you know which is which :-)
Should give you food for thought...
Thank you.
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