Feature Request: Ability to use USB devices for storage

Insight & Feedback ZimaOS Open Beta
1

I just picked up a Zimaboard 2 for my home lab, and one of my plans was to use some of my older usb solid state drives as primary storage for it, it doesn’t look for that to be easily able. (Why - because you can still find some more affordable older drives that have a fixed usb connection.)

Request: With current high drive costs, allow users to enable USB for ZimaOS usage.

My Board shipped with ZimaOS 1.5, and did not have a option to upgrade the OS. I was going down that route as that I was unable to format my extra USB nvme drive with 1.5, and I knew that was a older build. So I tried enabling Beta channel, and rebooted, but still did not get the update. SSH into the ZB2 I was able to force a update to 1.8.0, and now have the ability to format the USB drive to ext4 — but I had the expectation as part of that format option I would have the option to migrate / expand usage to that device.

After the drive is formatted, I then go into Storage - Create Storage expecting the ability to use the usb drive expansion and / or replacement of the small boot drive. The USB drive is not a option.

So now go into Settings - Apps and try to migrate any of the app data locations to the usb drive and that is not an option.

Reboot the ZB2 now that the USB is ext4 thinking that may have been a limitation, try above steps and no joy.

With the current price of storage, and as the ZB2 doesn’t have a nvme slot - I think other users would also want to do the same. (yes, I am aware of the pcie card option :slight_smile: ) I personally have a bunch of USB SSD’s since there was a period of time where you could pick those up at 1/4 the cost or even less what standard sata ssd or nvme drives would cost. (cheap 256gb nvme’s were also readily available for a long time - system pulls etc.) So would really like to see ZimaOS add this option. Understood you do not have redundancy, and some USB drives have number of write limitations - but I dont think those concerns should limit this.

Let me know if you have any further questions, and appreciate the feedback opportunity.

Thanks,

Daniel

zimaos app data
zimaos app data1112×645 61.8 KB

pny zima
pny zima1147×647 45.3 KB

2

I have a 4 bay MediaSonic HDD enclosure that has been connected to my Zimaboard 832 via USB for almost 2 years. I started with casaos and have had no problems I am on zimaos 1.7.1 now.

3

Thanks, so maybe a 1.8 limitation, or something about the PNY drive… I have a 2tb Crucial X9 I can try out later this week.

4

HI from France,

I have the same problem since V1.80.

Before with V1.70 and V1.71 I had any problem if I don’t use “Photo” application.

Since the V1.80, I think that the USB communication change with this last version :frowning:

My setup : 2 usb hard disk mounting inside docking SABRENT and I can see the activity of them.

Because my thinkcentre M715q have not the possibilité to receive my hards disks 3.5