Mdmfs package

patord · Sep 23, 2007, 2:16 AM

I am in the process of finishing up a first pass at a mdmfs package for pfsense.

The intent of this package is to allow the user to create mfs mounts from within the pfsense gui. This is to facilitate reducing disk writes to a physical device (hard drive, compact flash in trueide mode, etc).

My original goal is to allow those of us to use compact flash devices in trueide mode while allowing pfsense to run in full install mode. eg, not embedded mode. To minimize disk writes to the CF on common mounts/files so that one avoids killing the CF due to the known restrictions of heavy long term writes.

I have now moved forward enough to present this to the public after having a HD on one of my live pfsense boxes die last week… and want to use a trueide CF without killing it due to diskwrites (logging, etc).

Note that I also see this being useful for those running with a physical hard drive, such that if you have power savings on the HD could spin down and not be brought back online for a long time.

I am looking to see:
1. if this is useful to anyone else (barring some who may think this is a bad idea in general - I can appreciate the potential flaws and security aspects)
2. if interested, what you would like to see in it.

Here's what it does now:
1. allows you to create and specify a mdmfs mount point to be created on bootup
2. you can specify:
a. mount point
b. mount size
c. mount permissions and owner
d. restore original contents (with original perms and owner) from the disk based mount to the mfs on boot up, and archive the contents of the mfs back to disk on shutdown/reboot
e. setup a cron job to archive the mfs contents back to disk

Attached are sample screenshots of the package now on a dev box. I am currently using an older version on a live pfsense box using a trueide cf as the storage medium.

Comments (good/bad) welcome...

patord · Sep 28, 2007, 5:44 AM

A few notes:

1. apparently you need to log in to the forums to see the screen shots

2. mfs mounts = aka "RAM disk". Basically if you have a box running pfsense with lots of RAM, why not use some spare RAM to save wear and tear on your CF or hard drive while still allowing for a full install of pfsense.

3. has an option to create a default set of mfs mount points for a few common directories that are accessed/written to on a frequent basis with two clicks of your mouse.

4. an initial package is complete, I am looking on what the procedures are to submit this for review. (I have email the coreteam, etc)