Preclear recognition

[magic144]

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.

[magic144]

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.

[itimpi]

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.

 

[magic144]

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 ?

[itimpi]

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.

[magic144]

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

[magic144]

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

[magic144]

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?

[JorgeB]

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.

[magic144]

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, 2020 by magic144

[JorgeB]

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.

[magic144]

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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