Might be a silly question but...

I have been continuing to use an updated/modified preclear_disk.sh (v1.15+deltas) script for the last few years (not a plugin or a docker, the original script).

I have manually updated the script myself over the years with the various patches required.

 

I am surprised that when I look at unRAID's MAIN web GUI page (unRAID v6.8.3), it seemingly KNOWS what's going on and reports the pre-clearing operation and progress.

 

Is there some magic built into unRAID to recognize the pre-clear procedure? How is this reported/known to unRAID?

 

Thanks for any answers.

Also, what's the most up-to-date "received wisdom" on continuing to use pre-clear (or is there a more contemporary replacement)? I am primarily continuing to use it for the "infant-mortality" detection use-case.

2 hours ago, magic144 said:

Also, what's the most up-to-date "received wisdom" on continuing to use pre-clear (or is there a more contemporary replacement)? I am primarily continuing to use it for the "infant-mortality" detection use-case.

You might find this information of interest.

 

Right. Thanks itimpi.

Yeah, I'm pretty much exclusively swapping in bigger disks for smaller ones (rebuilding their content), so having a "clear disk" signature isn't important.

 

The "stress-test" aspect is what I'm focusing on. I have seen reference to "badblocks" (with writes) being an "as-useful" (and presumably built-in) alternative in this regard. Any comments on badblocks vs preclear_disk.sh - pluses/minuses ?

I personally have no experience of software like ‘badblocks’, the only way I have tested my own disks is via preclear; extended SMART tests; or the manufacturer’s supplied test software.   So far I have not had any drives that have failed early so I have no idea how significant a problem ‘infant mortality’ actually is in the real world and how the different testing methods fare against each other in triggering it.

Indeed - I have never personally had a disk fail preclear. It's more a preventative step. Thanks for your own feedback.

But does anybody know HOW unRAID seems to know a pre-clear is happening (and its state/progress) on the web GUI main page?

I guess it has to do with this line:

# Version 1.10  - create preclear_stat_sdX files (read by myMain) - bjp999

Just seems odd that if the OS itself is reading/parsing these files, why wouldn't the OS promote/make the preclear script/function available?

29 minutes ago, magic144 said:

But does anybody know HOW unRAID seems to know a pre-clear is happening (and its state/progress) on the web GUI main page?

It's not a stock GUI function, it's the UD plugin.

57 minutes ago, JorgeB said:

It's not a stock GUI function, it's the UD plugin.

but... the only "non-stock" plugin I have installed is Nerd Tools

I guess that functionality has been subsumed into unRAID these days. I'm glad it's there though.

Edited December 4, 20205 yr by magic144

Then maybe the preclear plugin now includes that, it' been a while since I've used it, but it's not the stock GUI showing that for sure.

I just assume that whatever it was that was parsing the file got brought into unRAID - I believe it originated in unmenu. I don't have unmenu, and I don't have preclear as a plugin, only a standalone script. 🤷‍♂️

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