From owner-freebsd-embedded@FreeBSD.ORG Tue Oct 14 16:29:54 2008 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-embedded@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.freebsd.org (mx1.freebsd.org [IPv6:2001:4f8:fff6::34]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 92C231065686 for ; Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:29:54 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from philip.mullis@syx.ca) Received: from smtpout1.syx.ca (smtpout.syx.ca [69.77.170.152]) by mx1.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 69AC88FC18 for ; Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:29:53 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from philip.mullis@syx.ca) Received: from mail.syx.ca (unknown [192.168.21.1]) by smtpout1.syx.ca (Postfix) with ESMTP id 3F155181C1B for ; Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:52:15 -0400 (EDT) Received: from [192.168.22.188] ([192.168.22.188]) by mail.syx.ca with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.3959); Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:52:15 -0400 Message-ID: <48F4C02F.1060407@syx.ca> Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:52:15 -0400 From: Philip Mullis User-Agent: Thunderbird 2.0.0.17 (X11/20080925) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: freebsd-embedded@freebsd.org Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-OriginalArrivalTime: 14 Oct 2008 15:52:15.0249 (UTC) FILETIME=[D4482010:01C92E14] Subject: storage selection for embedded devices X-BeenThere: freebsd-embedded@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5 Precedence: list List-Id: Dedicated and Embedded Systems List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:29:54 -0000 I was wondering if anyone has extended experience in this area with embedded devices. I have a fixed embedded image which runs happily out of a 1Gig compact flash card. However I have some applications that I want to install to my device that will perform writes alot to the cf. I'm worried about reliability and degradation of the cf, so to get around this I'm looking at using an external usb hard drive or memory stick (I have 2 usb ports on my embedded devices, its a pcengines alix2c3) Is this a methodology most people use? or is simply buying a larger compact flash card the recommended approach. Ive read the sandisk wear leveling white paper, yet I also hear many people such as professional photographers swearing by the write once rule with cf cards. This leaves me to believe they are misinformed on the technology or the white paper is wrong. If someone could provide further information or recommendations that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Philip Mullis