Flash Drive for Silent Storage

Silencing hard drives, optical drives and other storage devices

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bgavin
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Flash Drive for Silent Storage

Post by bgavin » Tue May 27, 2008 8:23 am

Is there any compelling reason not to use an 8gb Flash (thumb) drive for silent storage?

For example, I have a linux based DNS machine that supports my business network. It is a static device, and only services the public internet resolution for my business servers.

It seems this would be ideal.. I can GHOST the flash disk after it is configured, for easy replacement if the thumb dies, or it becomes corrupt.

Thoughts?

bexx
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Post by bexx » Tue May 27, 2008 10:43 am

Generally if you can get it to boot it'll work fine... many network devices need very little storage and hardly do any IO to wear out a device... CF cards have been being used in highend network devices for many many years without issue-- doubt you'll see any.

bgavin
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Location: Orangevale, CA

Post by bgavin » Tue May 27, 2008 10:51 am

SuperTalent makes a 200x drive in both 4gb and 8gb. Tests show this is a hotrod thumb drive for both Read and Write. Other than it over heating, it looks like a thumb is just the ticket for zero disk noise on a DNS machine or other type with relatively low disk access.

Trip
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Post by Trip » Sun Oct 04, 2009 3:55 pm

bgavin wrote:SuperTalent makes a 200x drive in both 4gb and 8gb. Tests show this is a hotrod thumb drive for both Read and Write. Other than it over heating, it looks like a thumb is just the ticket for zero disk noise on a DNS machine or other type with relatively low disk access.
That sounds much faster than some others I'd seen.

SuperTalent DH Series
- Ultra-fast 200X available with 30MB/sec Read speed
- Hot plug and play; Functions like another hard drive
Also: 1GB - 16GB

-

Luxio Series is also 200X drive + 16GB - 128GB

-

I'm shopping for a thumb atm too...

Trip
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Post by Trip » Sun Oct 04, 2009 4:34 pm

PNY and Patriot look good too. Apparently 200X isn't all that uncommon...

Corsair pops up in google as fast.

CORSAIR Voyager GT:
Sequential Read: 32.6 MB/s Sequential Write: 28.8 MB/s
Insanely expensive though...

theycallmebruce
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Post by theycallmebruce » Sun Oct 04, 2009 5:16 pm

I bought the 4GB model way back when, and it was the fastest flash drive I'd ever seen. But yes, they are pricey.

Trip
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Post by Trip » Sun Oct 04, 2009 5:26 pm

Pretty sure I'm going with Corsair Voyager GT 16GB. It won't be as fast as the newer 128GB version, but it's $60+ sales tax which is tolerable.

I'll sleep on it.

EDIT: couldn't sleep. Bought it + some inexpensive shelves for some quiet books. Free shipping is nice...

RiDATA 16GB is pretty fancy too (SATA + USB).

However, note:
Product Development Update: This device is designed for notebooks using combination eSATA and USB drive ports. The power for the drive is drawn from the USB port in combination eSATA USB ports. Since most desktops commonly do not have this combination port, there is no power to run the eSATA connection; using it with a desktop will damage the drive. We are currently developing a solution for desktop use. Please check back for further product development updates.
So, yea I'll be happy with the Voyager GT.

Trip
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Post by Trip » Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:20 am

Argh. Out of stock, so I wasn't billed... ETA in stock 5-7 days.

Staples is still shipping the inexpensive shelves, but I did need those anyway.

Searching for another seller, I happen upon this PC Mag review Kingston DataTraveler 150 (32GB)b which puts kingston ahead of Corsair.

The kanguru drive is praised highly too, though that's pricey.

Trip
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Post by Trip » Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:15 pm

I ended up going with a Gizmo Plus! because it's cheap (~$11 + free shipping) from newegg, $75 is too much for a thumb drive, and it's all I really need.

I almost went with an OCZ drive; but there were quality concerns, and I'm tired of reading reviews.

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