How much disk I/O does SageClient do?

[AndyS]

I'm thinking of using a CompactFlash card for a new SageClient box I'm building. I suspect that disk writes once initial load is complete are limited to the occasional write of the properties file.

Does anyone have any idea of what reads/writes are done on the client-side once the initial load is finished?

Andy.

[mdmint]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I'm thinking of using a CompactFlash card for a new SageClient box I'm building. I suspect that disk writes once initial load is complete are limited to the occasional write of the properties file.

Does anyone have any idea of what reads/writes are done on the client-side once the initial load is finished?

Andy.

No, don't know how often Client prop file refreshed. Interesting idea. Is your idea for boot & Sage on flashcard? That would indeed be a silent & cool running solution! Do they make 6GB+ flashcards affordably? I've found that's the space I need on Client including DVD playback apps etc. I know Laptop HDs are relatively quiet and cool compared to standard 3.5" HDs and 20GB $40 to $70 range. (which is my HTPC implementation)

[stanger89]

I think the properties file is checked periodically, maybe every 5 minutes?

[AndyS]

Originally Posted by mdmint

No, don't know how often Client prop file refreshed. Interesting idea. Is your idea for boot & Sage on flashcard? That would indeed be a silent & cool running solution! Do they make 6GB+ flashcards affordably? I've found that's the space I need on Client including DVD playback apps etc. I know Laptop HDs are relatively quiet and cool compared to standard 3.5" HDs and 20GB $40 to $70 range. (which is my HTPC implementation)

I'm still kicking various options around, but thinking about XP/Embedded. I'm also thinking of using network shares for the location of all software, and possibly even a network boot so that I don't need a physical boot-disk.

I'm not sure yet how big an XP/e image would be but it would probably be in the 1GB range I think. I need to explore some more options.

Thanks for the feedback.

Andy.

[AndyS]

Originally Posted by stanger89

I think the properties file is checked periodically, maybe every 5 minutes?

Thanks for that info. I'm assuming very few disk writes though with the client - does that seem right?

Andy.

[mdmint]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Thanks for that info. I'm assuming very few disk writes though with the client - does that seem right?

Andy.

I would say yes. I have my Laptop HDs set to turn off after 3min and I don't here them spinning up and down. But then, while watching something they're so quiet I might not hear them anyway. (Actually only one of the two would need to spin up, the boot and Sage Client drive, the other is in there for Ghost backup.) I do hear a spin up when I shut down, WinXP saving it's current config before shutting down.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Thanks for that info. I'm assuming very few disk writes though with the client - does that seem right?

Andy.

I would think so, unless you change some settings, it should be OK. One think you might want to consider is running Sage out of a ramdisk. It's been mentioned here a time or two, the first incarnation was to avoid the disk access. If you were to do that, Sage could R/W from the properties file all it wanted, and you could save off the data on boot/shutdown and/or periodically (once/day).

[AndyS]

Originally Posted by stanger89

I would think so, unless you change some settings, it should be OK. One think you might want to consider is running Sage out of a ramdisk. It's been mentioned here a time or two, the first incarnation was to avoid the disk access. If you were to do that, Sage could R/W from the properties file all it wanted, and you could save off the data on boot/shutdown and/or periodically (once/day).

Yeah - that's another option I'm considering. I like the CF option because it means I can transfer the 'personality' of the PVR from one machine to another just by moving the CF card between machines.

This is all good stuff though - certainly food for thought....

Andy.

[stanger89]

CF+ramdisk would be a great combo.

BTW, be sure to post something if you get XPe setup, I've got a copy of it I'd like to use.

[AndyS]

Sure thing.

Andy.