[Wp-mirror-list] [PATCH RFC] hdparm: tolerate being in a Virtual Machine

[wp mirror]

Dear Jason,

Thanks for your suggested patch.

1) warn-if-database-stored-on-virtual-disk-p

For perspicuity, I created a new test function to let users know if
the database is stored on a disk that does not provided identification
information in response to:

(root-shell)# hdparm -I /dev/vda

2) assert-hdd-write-cache-p

This function is now allowed to fail gracefully when the disk does not
provide identification.

3) virtual machine

You should now see the following output:

(root-shell)# wp-mirror --mirror
...
[ ok ]warn-if-disk-space-low-p
[....]warn-if-database-stored-on-virtual-disk-p
[info]/dev/vda: disk identification NOT found
[warn]warn-if-database-stored-on-virtual-disk-p
[fail]assert-hdd-write-cache-p
[ ok ]assert-internet-access-to-wikimedia-site-p
-----mirror-mode-begin-------------------------
...

Please test this and let me know the outcome.

4) Update wp-mirror

Please download and install wp-mirror to get the update.

(shell)$ wget
http://download.savannah.gnu.org/releases/wp-mirror/wp-mirror_0.6-1_all.deb
(shell)$ sha1sum wp-mirror_0.6-1_all.deb
43119d9d9f04228aae0a7582d186cc77c8c661e2  wp-mirror_0.6-1_all.deb
(root-shell)# dpkg --install wp-mirror_0.6-1_all.deb
(root-shell)# wp-mirror --mirror

Note that mirrors of <http://download.savannah.gnu.org> can take a few
hours to sync.  So you may wish to verify the downloaded package with
`sha1sum'.

5) Documentation

I have updated the WP-MIRROR 0.6 Reference Manual in several places

1.8.1 Contributors to WP-MIRROR --- updated
3.2.1.1 Configure HDD Write Caching --- added a Design note
5.1.4.6 warn-if-database-stored-on-virtual-disk-p --- this is new
5.1.4.7 assert-hdd-write-cache-p --- updated
A.1.1.2 Bugs Fixed --- updated

As you are bold enough to try your hand at Common Lisp, you will
likely find the following documentation invaluable:

(root-shell)# aptitude install hyperspec lynx-cur
(shell)$ lynx /usr/share/doc/hyperspec/Front/index.htm
(shell)$ lynx /usr/share/doc/clisp/clisp/doc/impnotes.html

I keep these two documents open in a browser at all times.

Sincerely Yours,
Kent