[gentoo-user] Dual USB HDD enclosure shows only a single disk (NexStar MX)

[gentoo-user] Dual USB HDD enclosure shows only a single disk (NexStar MX)

[felix]

I bought a NexStar MX dual SATA enclosure and two 1TB drives for it.
It has an internal switch to select it appearing as a single 2TB drive
or two separate 1TB drives.  I eventually want it to be the single
drive, but I want it as two separate drives initially.  However, it
doesn't work that way.

I have tried these combinations:

    Both drives installed

    Swapped them

    One drive in each slot, the other slot empty

Both slots work, and both drives work.  But with two drives installed
and the switch in individual drives mode, it only shows one of them.
These are SATA and there is no master / slave jumper to snag me,
AFAIK.

The instruction manual mkes a reference to the mode switch being
either JBOD or individual drives.  They have a reference to RAID as a
comparison, but nowhere else in the manual do they refer to RAID, nor
does the box anywhere brag about RAID, and the installation procedures
for both Windows and Mac explicitly show two separate new drives.  I
think it is safe to assume I should see either one 2TB drive or two
1TB drives.

I don't have either a Windows or a Mac to try this on, and I don't
particularly want to contaimnate my shiny new 1TB drives.

So here's my question:

Is there some feature of the USB spec that is not implemented under
Linux that would prevent one of the drives from showing up?

The kernel config does NOT set CONFIG_SCSI_MULTI_LUN, if that makes
any difference.

Here is /var/log/messages when I first inserted the USB connection:

Dec 16 12:13:14 bitroteo [575806.793193] usb 4-3: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 6
Dec 16 12:13:14 bitroteo [575806.909127] usb 4-3: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
Dec 16 12:13:14 bitroteo [575806.910493] scsi2 : SCSI emulation for USB Mass Storage devices
Dec 16 12:13:14 bitroteo [575806.910794] usb-storage: device found at 6
Dec 16 12:13:14 bitroteo [575806.910799] usb-storage: waiting for device to settle before scanning
Dec 16 12:13:19 bitroteo [575811.909675] scsi 2:0:0:0: Direct-Access WDC WD10 EACS-00ZJB0           PQ: 0 ANSI: 2 CCS
Dec 16 12:13:19 bitroteo [575811.911024] sd 2:0:0:0: [sda] 1953525168 512-byte hardware sectors (1000205 MB)
Dec 16 12:13:19 bitroteo [575811.911754] sd 2:0:0:0: [sda] Write Protect is off
Dec 16 12:13:19 bitroteo [575811.911761] sd 2:0:0:0: [sda] Mode Sense: 00 38 00 00
Dec 16 12:13:19 bitroteo [575811.911765] sd 2:0:0:0: [sda] Assuming drive cache: write through
Dec 16 12:13:19 bitroteo [575811.912751] sd 2:0:0:0: [sda] 1953525168 512-byte hardware sectors (1000205 MB)
Dec 16 12:13:19 bitroteo [575811.913500] sd 2:0:0:0: [sda] Write Protect is off
Dec 16 12:13:19 bitroteo [575811.913506] sd 2:0:0:0: [sda] Mode Sense: 00 38 00 00
Dec 16 12:13:19 bitroteo [575811.913509] sd 2:0:0:0: [sda] Assuming drive cache: write through
Dec 16 12:13:19 bitroteo [575811.913519]  sda: unknown partition table d
Dec 16 12:13:19 bitroteo [575811.923424] sd 2:0:0:0: [sda] Attached SCSI disk
Dec 16 12:13:19 bitroteo [575811.923691] sd 2:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg0 type 0
Dec 16 12:13:19 bitroteo [575811.924342] usb-storage: device scan complete

Here is the result of lsusb:

# lsusb
Bus 004 Device 013: ID 152d:2336 JMicron Technology Corp. / JMicron
USA Technology Corp. 
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 0000:0000  
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 0000:0000  
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 047d:1020 Kensington 
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 0000:0000  
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 06a3:8000 Saitek PLC 
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000  

# lsusb -v -s 4:13

Bus 004 Device 013: ID 152d:2336 JMicron Technology Corp. / JMicron
USA Technology Corp. 
Device Descriptor:
  bLength                18
  bDescriptorType         1
  bcdUSB               2.00
  bDeviceClass            0 (Defined at Interface level)
  bDeviceSubClass         0 
  bDeviceProtocol         0 
  bMaxPacketSize0        64
  idVendor           0x152d JMicron Technology Corp. / JMicron USA
  Technology Corp.
  idProduct          0x2336 
  bcdDevice            1.00
  iManufacturer           1 JMicron
  iProduct                2 JM20336 SATA, USB Combo
  iSerial                 5 8DC88D10EAC8
  bNumConfigurations      1
  Configuration Descriptor:
    bLength                 9
    bDescriptorType         2
    wTotalLength           32
    bNumInterfaces          1
    bConfigurationValue     1
    iConfiguration          4 USB Mass Storage
    bmAttributes         0xc0
      Self Powered
    MaxPower                2mA
    Interface Descriptor:
      bLength                 9
      bDescriptorType         4
      bInterfaceNumber        0
      bAlternateSetting       0
      bNumEndpoints           2
      bInterfaceClass         8 Mass Storage
      bInterfaceSubClass      6 SCSI
      bInterfaceProtocol     80 Bulk (Zip)
      iInterface              6 Bulk-In, Bulk-Out Interface
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x81  EP 1 IN
        bmAttributes            2
          Transfer Type            Bulk
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0200  1x 512 bytes
        bInterval               0
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x02  EP 2 OUT
        bmAttributes            2
          Transfer Type            Bulk
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0200  1x 512 bytes
        bInterval               0
Device Qualifier (for other device speed):
  bLength                10
  bDescriptorType         6
  bcdUSB               2.00
  bDeviceClass            0 (Defined at Interface level)
  bDeviceSubClass         0 
  bDeviceProtocol         0 
  bMaxPacketSize0        64
  bNumConfigurations      1
can't get debug descriptor: Connection timed out
Device Status:     0x0001
  Self Powered

-- 
            ... _._. ._ ._. . _._. ._. ___ .__ ._. . .__. ._ .. ._.
     Felix Finch: scarecrow repairman & rocket surgeon / felix@crowfix.com
  GPG = E987 4493 C860 246C 3B1E  6477 7838 76E9 182E 8151 ITAR license #4933
I've found a solution to Fermat's Last Theorem but I see I've run out of room o
-- 
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Re: [gentoo-user] Dual USB HDD enclosure shows only a single disk (NexStar MX)

[Hemmann, Volker Armin]

On Montag, 17. Dezember 2007, felix@crowfix.com wrote:
> The kernel config does NOT set CONFIG_SCSI_MULTI_LUN, if that makes
> any difference.

it should. Please set it. Oh, and don't forget - in 'single disk mode' you 
might loose everything if one of the two disks dies.
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Re: [gentoo-user] Dual USB HDD enclosure shows only a single disk (NexStar MX)

[felix]

On Mon, Dec 17, 2007 at 02:38:40AM +0100, Hemmann, Volker Armin wrote:
> On Montag, 17. Dezember 2007, felix@crowfix.com wrote:
> > The kernel config does NOT set CONFIG_SCSI_MULTI_LUN, if that makes
> > any difference.
> 
> it should. Please set it. Oh, and don't forget - in 'single disk mode' you 
> might loose everything if one of the two disks dies.

I don't mean to sound argumentative, but why shoul SCIS LUNs matter
here?  I know USB comes across as SCSI disks, but why should the USB
system care about them -- why wouldn't the USB interface simply
present itself as two disks, sda and sdb for instance?

I am not worried about one of the two disks dying.  I intend to use
two of them, one as backup.  Of course, backups aren't foolproof, but
I have other backups too.

-- 
            ... _._. ._ ._. . _._. ._. ___ .__ ._. . .__. ._ .. ._.
     Felix Finch: scarecrow repairman & rocket surgeon / felix@crowfix.com
  GPG = E987 4493 C860 246C 3B1E  6477 7838 76E9 182E 8151 ITAR license #4933
I've found a solution to Fermat's Last Theorem but I see I've run out of room o
-- 
gentoo-user@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-user] Dual USB HDD enclosure shows only a single disk (NexStar MX)

[Iain Buchanan]

On Sun, 2007-12-16 at 18:23 -0800, felix@crowfix.com wrote:
> On Mon, Dec 17, 2007 at 02:38:40AM +0100, Hemmann, Volker Armin wrote:
> > On Montag, 17. Dezember 2007, felix@crowfix.com wrote:
> > > The kernel config does NOT set CONFIG_SCSI_MULTI_LUN, if that makes
> > > any difference.
> > 
> > it should. Please set it. Oh, and don't forget - in 'single disk mode' you 
> > might loose everything if one of the two disks dies.
> 
> I don't mean to sound argumentative, but why shoul SCIS LUNs matter
> here?  I know USB comes across as SCSI disks, but why should the USB
> system care about them -- why wouldn't the USB interface simply
> present itself as two disks, sda and sdb for instance?
> 
> I am not worried about one of the two disks dying.  I intend to use
> two of them, one as backup.  Of course, backups aren't foolproof, but
> I have other backups too.

don't ask me, I only work here... but I have a "multimedia unit" that
has 4 card reader slots, a HD, an LCD and USB2.  Only /dev/sda shows up
if I don't set the multiple luns option, and /dev/sda isn't the HD!
It's the (usually empty) CFCARD slot!

I don't know why it isn't on by default in the livecd either...

-- 
Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>

An honest politician is one who when he is bought will stay bought.
		-- Simon Cameron

There are honest journalists like there are honest politicians.  When
bought they stay bought.
		-- Bill Moyers

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Re: [gentoo-user] Dual USB HDD enclosure shows only a single disk (NexStar MX)

[felix]

On Mon, Dec 17, 2007 at 02:00:32PM +0930, Iain Buchanan wrote:
> don't ask me, I only work here... but I have a "multimedia unit" that
> has 4 card reader slots, a HD, an LCD and USB2.  Only /dev/sda shows up
> if I don't set the multiple luns option, and /dev/sda isn't the HD!
> It's the (usually empty) CFCARD slot!
> 
> I don't know why it isn't on by default in the livecd either...

I have several of those USB multislot multimedia readers, and none of
them show any rpesence in /dev except for those slots which have a
card in them.  Wel, I haven't checked them in a while.  But for
instance, one of them has four slots, I think they show up normally on
my system as sd[fghi], nad the one I use th emost is sdh.  I put the
card in, then plug in the USB cable, and sdh shows up but not sd[fgi].

Last time I cheked, it also confused the heckout of the USB system if
I pulled the card out of the slot before yanking out the USB cable.

I will try the LUN flag but not right now, I don't want to reboot now.

-- 
            ... _._. ._ ._. . _._. ._. ___ .__ ._. . .__. ._ .. ._.
     Felix Finch: scarecrow repairman & rocket surgeon / felix@crowfix.com
  GPG = E987 4493 C860 246C 3B1E  6477 7838 76E9 182E 8151 ITAR license #4933
I've found a solution to Fermat's Last Theorem but I see I've run out of room o
-- 
gentoo-user@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-user] Dual USB HDD enclosure shows only a single disk (NexStar MX)

[Hemmann, Volker Armin]

On Montag, 17. Dezember 2007, felix@crowfix.com wrote:
> On Mon, Dec 17, 2007 at 02:00:32PM +0930, Iain Buchanan wrote:
> > don't ask me, I only work here... but I have a "multimedia unit" that
> > has 4 card reader slots, a HD, an LCD and USB2.  Only /dev/sda shows up
> > if I don't set the multiple luns option, and /dev/sda isn't the HD!
> > It's the (usually empty) CFCARD slot!
> >
> > I don't know why it isn't on by default in the livecd either...
>
> I have several of those USB multislot multimedia readers, and none of
> them show any rpesence in /dev except for those slots which have a
> card in them.  Wel, I haven't checked them in a while.  But for
> instance, one of them has four slots, I think they show up normally on
> my system as sd[fghi], nad the one I use th emost is sdh.  I put the
> card in, then plug in the USB cable, and sdh shows up but not sd[fgi].
>
> Last time I cheked, it also confused the heckout of the USB system if
> I pulled the card out of the slot before yanking out the USB cable.
>
> I will try the LUN flag but not right now, I don't want to reboot now.
>
> --
>             ... _._. ._ ._. . _._. ._. ___ .__ ._. . .__. ._ .. ._.
>      Felix Finch: scarecrow repairman & rocket surgeon / felix@crowfix.com
>   GPG = E987 4493 C860 246C 3B1E  6477 7838 76E9 182E 8151 ITAR license
> #4933 I've found a solution to Fermat's Last Theorem but I see I've run out
> of room o

and I have a '30in1' card reader that needs the multi-lun flag to find 
anything at all.

usb is just 'some kind of scsi' for the kernel.

-- 
Conclusions 
 In a straight-up fight, the Empire squashes the Federation like a bug. Even 
with its numerical advantage removed, the Empire would still squash the 
Federation like a bug. Accept it. -Michael Wong 
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Re: [gentoo-user] Dual USB HDD enclosure shows only a single disk (NexStar MX) -- SOLVED

[felix]

I'll be the son of a monkey's uncle.

Tie me ankles and put me knickers in a twist.

It WAS the CONFIG_SCSI_MULTI_LUN kernel flag.

Apologies to all those who thought I was doubting them.  I was, and I
shouldn't have.

I am flabbergasted.

-- 
            ... _._. ._ ._. . _._. ._. ___ .__ ._. . .__. ._ .. ._.
     Felix Finch: scarecrow repairman & rocket surgeon / felix@crowfix.com
  GPG = E987 4493 C860 246C 3B1E  6477 7838 76E9 182E 8151 ITAR license #4933
I've found a solution to Fermat's Last Theorem but I see I've run out of room o
-- 
gentoo-user@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-user] Dual USB HDD enclosure shows only a single disk (NexStar MX) -- SOLVED

[Iain Buchanan]

On Mon, 2007-12-17 at 07:10 -0800, felix@crowfix.com wrote:
> I'll be the son of a monkey's uncle.
> 
> Tie me ankles and put me knickers in a twist.

*lol* no thanks, wrong list!

> It WAS the CONFIG_SCSI_MULTI_LUN kernel flag.
> 
> Apologies to all those who thought I was doubting them.  I was, and I
> shouldn't have.
> 
> I am flabbergasted.

but you also know a little more than you did yesterday.  That's the main
thing!
-- 
Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>

It's as BAD as you think, and they ARE out to get you.

-- 
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Re: [gentoo-user] Dual USB HDD enclosure shows only a single disk (NexStar MX) -- SOLVED

[felix]

On Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 09:27:58AM +0930, Iain Buchanan wrote:

> but you also know a little more than you did yesterday.  That's the main
> thing!

I know how I misthought things. I had thought USB was a dumb protocol
and that the simplest way to present two drives on one connection was
to have an internal hub, thus it wouldn't matter what the SCSI
protocol was.  But a friend tells me USB actually allows for multiple
drives in some fashion, so it just might make sense to make it look
like separate LUNs.

Once again, remember how to spell ass-u-me ...

-- 
            ... _._. ._ ._. . _._. ._. ___ .__ ._. . .__. ._ .. ._.
     Felix Finch: scarecrow repairman & rocket surgeon / felix@crowfix.com
  GPG = E987 4493 C860 246C 3B1E  6477 7838 76E9 182E 8151 ITAR license #4933
I've found a solution to Fermat's Last Theorem but I see I've run out of room o
-- 
gentoo-user@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-user] Dual USB HDD enclosure shows only a single disk (NexStar MX) -- SOLVED

[Hemmann, Volker Armin]

On Dienstag, 18. Dezember 2007, felix@crowfix.com wrote:
> On Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 09:27:58AM +0930, Iain Buchanan wrote:
> > but you also know a little more than you did yesterday.  That's the main
> > thing!
>
> I know how I misthought things. I had thought USB was a dumb protocol
> and that the simplest way to present two drives on one connection was
> to have an internal hub, thus it wouldn't matter what the SCSI
> protocol was.  But a friend tells me USB actually allows for multiple
> drives in some fashion, so it just might make sense to make it look
> like separate LUNs.

everything becomes clear if you think about usb as 'scsi with different cables 
and the ability to add printers, mice and keyboards'
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