Re: Current SSD setup recommendations for laptop with Debian
On Thu, 05 Jul 2012, Stan Hoeppner wrote:
> Any "proper" sysadmin also knows that end users want and need the short
> simple answer/solution, the one that is "good enough" to get the job
> done, even if it's not the "optimal" solution. They don't want to be
> bogged down with the technical details of "optimal" if the procedures
If you don't have the time or the inclination to answer something properly,
don't answer it at all.
> > The choice of SSD will be really important, then. Get one with a _lot_
> > of spare area for defect management and background defragmentation, and
> > with firmware known to be of high quality at cleaning after itself when
> > left idle. The type of flash memory will also matter a lot, the
> > simplest type of MLC will die much sooner than any alternatives (but it
> > will be a lot cheaper, enough that it might make more sense to replace
> > the drive sooner than to get one that will last longer).
>
> He apparently already acquired the SSD:
> Intel 330 Series Maple Crest SSDSC2CT180A3K5 2.5" 180GB SATA III MLC
At least it is an Intel drive. It is designed to last for just five years,
though.
> > BTW: Some SSD controllers depend on being able to compress data to work
> > well. Do not get a drive based on those controllers if you are going to use
> > any OS-level encryption.
>
> The Intel 330 series uses the SandForce SF-2281, and encrypts all data
> with AES-256. The SF-2281 also does on the fly compression.
That SSD is not a good choice for OS-level encryption.
If the user wants to trust Intel to have done things properly re. data
encryption on the SSD, he will still need to set *two* strong ATA Security
passwords (master and user) to make sure the keys are protected.
--
"One disk to rule them all, One disk to find them. One disk to bring
them all and in the darkness grind them. In the Land of Redmond
where the shadows lie." -- The Silicon Valley Tarot
Henrique Holschuh
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