Linux booting from USB HD / USB interface devices

[David Ford <david+cert@blue-labs.org>]

Linux booting from USB HD

I've been doing some research in this area.  There are a few 
motherboards that I've come across that are capable of booting from a 
USB hard drive and I'm interested in collecting a lot of opinions and 
"yeah, i've done that" comments.  The end application for this is to 
mount a motherboard in a 4x4 truck to process dash data and sensory 
input (i.e. GPS, atmospheric, fire department data, etc), provide 
digitized maps (GIS), network connectivity via wireless, and be the 
radio/mp3/cd player etc.

The most promising vendor I've found so far is Gigabyte, one of the 
better motherboards appears to be the GA-8IGX model.

_Please note_, I'm specifically trying to use a USB harddrive, not a 
floppy.  I want the smallest number of devices required to run the 
system and floppy media is just too unreliable.  I'm also intending on 
putting the harddrive several feet away from the motherboard -- the 
system's physical profile has to be flexible.

1) Most motherboard vendors (that mention Linux) are indicating Linux 
2.4.x for support.  How is the USB Mass storage support in 2.4.19+?
2) There are some vague comments about some devices requiring the 
ability to boot, are there some USB hard drives that are incapable of 
acting as a boot device?
3) I don't suspect there is anything tricky or nonstandard that I'd need 
to do on the USB drive, do I need corrected?
4) What kind of USB hard drives are well supported in Linux?
5) What kernel issues do I need to be aware of?



USB Interface devices

As part of the above project, I'd like to build a digital dash, full 
bidirection data flow.  Sensor data into computer, control data out. 
 I.e. read fuel, oil, speed, engine computer data, etc as sensory inputs 
and for output send data to control regular lighting, special lighting, 
fans, etc.  I'm really lacking in research results here, -any- feedback 
for this would be appreciated.



Comments or answers appreciated.  I promise to put up a web page with 
all the gadget details as I go along.

David

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