Linux and File Systems

[TheRealPeabody]

I'm about to load Linux Mandrake onto a couple of machines and a server(?) that are running WIN2k Pro and Avanced Server respectively. Can Linux see NTFS partitions, and more importantly for the server, Dynamic Disks?

Each machine has a separate HDD that is FAT32, and I was going to install Linux on those drives. Will Linux be able to see the files that I have stored on the NTFS and Dynamic Disk partitions.

Cheers.

 

[TheRealPeabody]

Whoops! Forgot to mention that these were dual boot installations. I did download the instructions from Little White Dog, but Rover didn't go into details about file systems.

 

[thornc]

Well all i can tell you is that NTFS support is still experimental under Linux, usually
read-only works, but not more than that.....

As for "Dynamic Disk partitions" I have no idea.....

 

[StuckMojo]

as far as i know, NOTHING can read "dynamic disks" except NT5/win2k. they changed the idea of the partition table, so basically dynamic disks dont have one.

 

[TheRealPeabody]

Thanks everyone. I was afraid of that. Looks like I'll leave the server as it is. I'll just have to build an el cheapo Linux box and go from there.

 

[StuckMojo]

the solution to this, but its asking for trouble, is to install vmware and run win2k inside it, and let it directly mount the drives with dynamic disks. then windows file share them out and access them in linux using the samba client.

but this is asking for trouble, as the win2k vmware could hose your drives. that being said, it does work.

 

[TheRealPeabody]

Mr. Mojo,

Which flavour of VMWare. I went to their site earlier today, and it looks mighty expensive - save for the Express product.

Cheers.

 

[Armitage]

FWIW, I've heard that NTFS support for Linux has a new maintainer, and is undergoing development again.

So maybe we'll see some better support soon.

Of course, NTFS is is an undocumented moving target.
If I were a cynic I'd suggest that this feature has more to do with marketshare then technical improvements. Just ask the Samba guys.
I wouldn't trust Linux NTFS support for anything critical.

 

[StuckMojo]

just get the cheapest one, plain old vmware for linux.
you can download a 60 day trial (maybe only 30, but they definately have a free trial)

like i said, BE CAREFUL. if vmware crashes and hoses your NTFS drives, im not responsible
i had that happen and scandisk was able to fix it.
the whole directly accessing the drives is kind of experimental in vmware.