Suggestion for IFL - auto-mount drives

User discussion and information resource forum for Image products.
Post Reply
timg11
Posts: 262
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 4:31 pm

Suggestion for IFL - auto-mount drives

Post by timg11 »

I had to talk someone through an IFL restore over the phone. If the restore is coming from a USB drive with a folder containing the TBI files (File (OS)), it is necessary to first manually mount the drive. Even with the GUI mount program, the process is challenging to describe, because the descriptions given of the unmounted devices do not provide familiar points of reference such as drive manufacturer.

I'd like to propose adding a MakeDisk option to cause the resulting IFL media to auto-mount all available drives. For most systems, that is not an excessive number. IFL can browse into the proper folder, and the user can see the desired file to be restored. Even better, consider having Restore from File (OS) default the /tbu folder where the mounted drives will appear, to reduce the amount of browsing through the file system that is needed to get to the mounted drive.

Another idea - how about building a VNC server right into the IFL distribution?
Brian K
Posts: 2214
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2011 1:11 am
Location: NSW, Australia

Re: Suggestion for IFL - auto-mount drives

Post by Brian K »

timg11,

When restoring, if you choose File (Direct) instead of File (OS) you don't have to mount any drives.

"File (Direct) – This option allows you to directly browse for image file(s) to restore in a folder on a hard drive, bypassing the Linux OS file services. Supported partitions can be accessed, including unmounted partitions and those in the EMBR not loaded into the MBR. In most cases, when using physical drives attached to the system, it’s easier to use File (Direct), especially when using the Image for Linux boot media."
timg11
Posts: 262
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 4:31 pm

Re: Suggestion for IFL - auto-mount drives

Post by timg11 »

BrianK, thanks, I thought file (direct) was the same as Copy Drive, as in direct disk to disk copy without a file system. I'll have to try file (direct) next time.
Bob Coleman
Posts: 785
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2011 5:58 pm

Re: Suggestion for IFL - auto-mount drives

Post by Bob Coleman »

timg11 wrote:
> BrianK, thanks, I thought file (direct) was the same as Copy Drive, as in
> direct disk to disk copy without a file system. I'll have to try file
> (direct) next time.

Copy is a completely different process among Backup, Restore, Validate and Copy.

At least that's the case for IFW. I think the same for IFL, but can't look at it right now.
Post Reply