On Wed, 1 Jun 2005 16:06:16 +0300, Mr.Jason Cried: Read These Runes!:
>
> I'm curious. Lets say you have two HD's on your linux box. The secondary you
> use much as a backup medium. Then you want to replace the secondary drive
> while computer is on.

I'd advise getting a bay designed specifically for hot swapping. I have
one, cost about $20.00 IIRC. You refer to a mobile rack below, if it is
what I think it is, it should work.

> If you spin down a hard disk is it OK to remove it and replace while power
> is on? I suppose not, but please speculate and analyze the events of hotswap
> ordinary IDE disk. Would it make difference if the disk is on mobilerack or
> not?

If you use a 2.4.xx kernel you can use hdparm -b0 to turn the buss off, turn
off power to the tray, and remove the drive. Note the drive must be
installed during boot or it's a no go threafter. (/proc/ide etc.)

The tray fits in a CD player sized slot.

Hdparm is not yet available for 2.6 kernels.

> Professional electricians are welcome to join this conversation and give
> your opinions!

Not hardly a pro but I've been doing this for a couple of years and haven't
fried anything yet (crosses fingers).

Thorn
--
Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for
word what you shouldn't have said.