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  • #1

    new Traveling Terabyte hardware config... suggestions?

    Hey all,

    So as was mentioned once in a while recently, i'm rebuilding the TTB hardware. Still hoping to find someone who wants the old 500GB ATA HDDs or someone willing to donate new SATA 1TB HDDs, but aside from that there is another more significant hardware matter where i'm seeking your input.

    The new TTBs will be single-drive and use the uber-kickass enclosure discussed in this thread. This will allow us to make the whole affair smaller, lighter, and generally better for transport. I'm basing things around more compact Pelican 1200 series cases (as opposed to the old 1400s we used to have) and that will limit usable space somewhat.

    Here's how things are looking thus far...


    Now that larger cutout space is exactly the size of the new enclosure being used. (No photo of it nestled in there... it's in the garage as a coat of paint dries at the moment.)

    The lower cutout section will have to house all the supporting equipment. Fortunately, the new hardware will do away with the need for wall warts and power bricks, so just an ISO power cable (which i've cut down) will satisfy electric requirements. (I'm keeping the "salt shaker" style universal plug adapter from Targus that we have been using thus far and possibly a one-to-three splitter in case people are working with limited outlets)

    My real question concerns what data cables we should have. Space being limited, what should we be supporting on that front? Here's what the enclosures come with...


    Naturally, USB is a given. Where it gets questionable pertains to the FireWire and eSATA. How many people in the field will have desktops vs laptops, do you think? The mini FireWire (4 circuit) makes sense since that's what most laptops feature nowadays. If someone has a desktop with FireWire or eSATA do we assume that they have cables? This unit also even supports new FireWire 800. Do we want to make room for that? I wasn't even considering it... but there may be one more option...

    I can cut out a square from the very bottom foam from that case. This buys us another half inch maybe in the bottom without sacrificing how the drive is supported. The cables will not get "beat up" in transit, i would think... right?

    That's my two-part question...
    1. what cables are the most essential? (are we supporting desktops as well as laptops... i'd like to try)

    2. how much should we modify the foam, etc. in order to assure that the cables we want all fit in?

    I really want at least one of these new TTBs to be ready in time for DEFCON, but it will be all for naught if no one speaks up and tells us about places where it should be sent. PM or email us some units' info, folks! I don't want to turn this project into just me sending the TTBs continually back to the three or four same places over and over.
    Last edited by Deviant Ollam; July 6, 2009, 15:54.
    "I'll admit I had an OiNK account and frequented it quite often… What made OiNK a great place was that it was like the world's greatest record store… iTunes kind of feels like Sam Goody to me. I don't feel cool when I go there. I'm tired of seeing John Mayer's face pop up. I feel like I'm being hustled when I visit there, and I don't think their product is that great. DRM, low bit rate, etc... OiNK it existed because it filled a void of what people want."
    - Trent Reznor
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: new Traveling Terabyte hardware config... suggestions?

    Originally posted by Deviant Ollam View Post

    My real question concerns what data cables we should have. Space being limited, what should we be supporting on that front? Here's what the enclosures come with...
    My thoughts (not having used them in the field) go as such:

    USB, definite given.

    Other connections are not as ubiquitous on most laptops/desktops in the field (save for eSATA on desktops). As well, I can't see many situations where the extra speed of the other connections would be uber-necessary. You should be able to stream anything off the drive over USB quite easily. The only situation I can think of is if someone was pulling a mass amount of info off the disk or sharing it through a NAS, but even then, it's just a matter of patience and not a mission critical device.

    I'd got with USB and eSATA as these are the most likely to be found. Firewire, it's nice to have the support and if it's desired, it shouldn't be too hard to find a cable somewhere and even failing that, USB is a suitable fallback.
    Never drink anything larger than your head!





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    • #3
      Re: new Traveling Terabyte hardware config... suggestions?

      I think Firewire still has its users (Mac). As for storage, you can remove the foam from the top, cut a hold on the side against the lid, and place them in there. That way they will be secure and not rub against the drive.

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      • #4
        Re: new Traveling Terabyte hardware config... suggestions?

        I went with the "cut out a little more foam and pack in as much as possible" solution...


        ... this allowed for everything but the FireWire 800 cable to fit. I'm still going to find a way to pack in the power splitter, and the notepad slips down in the front edge outside of all the foam which helps to keep the drives more snug. more photos coming soon.

        All i need now is someone who wants to pony up a 1TB SATA drive (sweet zombie jeebus, they're under $80 now!?!) and we'll be all set. I simply cannot go out of pocket any more at the moment on this... i'm spending every last dime on supplies and contest prizes for DEFCON and my training attendee numbers are less than usual for Black Hat this summer (as are everyone's... rough times all around, these are)
        Last edited by Deviant Ollam; July 6, 2009, 15:55.
        "I'll admit I had an OiNK account and frequented it quite often… What made OiNK a great place was that it was like the world's greatest record store… iTunes kind of feels like Sam Goody to me. I don't feel cool when I go there. I'm tired of seeing John Mayer's face pop up. I feel like I'm being hustled when I visit there, and I don't think their product is that great. DRM, low bit rate, etc... OiNK it existed because it filled a void of what people want."
        - Trent Reznor

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: new Traveling Terabyte hardware config... suggestions?

          additional photos...






          ... paint is still drying on the main enclosure (which is just flat green at the moment. if people really want me to try a pattern of some kind i will, but i don't know how it will turn out. we shall see.)
          Last edited by Deviant Ollam; July 6, 2009, 15:56.
          "I'll admit I had an OiNK account and frequented it quite often… What made OiNK a great place was that it was like the world's greatest record store… iTunes kind of feels like Sam Goody to me. I don't feel cool when I go there. I'm tired of seeing John Mayer's face pop up. I feel like I'm being hustled when I visit there, and I don't think their product is that great. DRM, low bit rate, etc... OiNK it existed because it filled a void of what people want."
          - Trent Reznor

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: new Traveling Terabyte hardware config... suggestions?

            Enclosure is complete. Final photos here, including ones for size comparison with the former TTB cases...












            ... all we need now is a donated 1TB SATA drive and we'll be in business for DEFCON. well, that's not totally true, what we really need are places to send the unit on its next tour. i know some of you must be proud of friends and family who are serving right now. speak up, and let a little piece of home make its way to their unit.
            "I'll admit I had an OiNK account and frequented it quite often… What made OiNK a great place was that it was like the world's greatest record store… iTunes kind of feels like Sam Goody to me. I don't feel cool when I go there. I'm tired of seeing John Mayer's face pop up. I feel like I'm being hustled when I visit there, and I don't think their product is that great. DRM, low bit rate, etc... OiNK it existed because it filled a void of what people want."
            - Trent Reznor

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: new Traveling Terabyte hardware config... suggestions?

              Looks great. Nice job!
              Don't sweat it -- it's not real life. It's only ones and zeroes. (Spaf)


              Comment

              • #8
                Re: new Traveling Terabyte hardware config... suggestions?

                Have you gotten a hard drive yet? Also is there any requirement on brand or will any 1tb drive work. I might be able to help you out. I just need to make sure im understanding correctly that any old 1tb sata drive will work.
                Not every problem, nor every thesis, should be examined, but only one which might puzzle one of those who needs argument

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                • #9
                  Re: new Traveling Terabyte hardware config... suggestions?

                  Originally posted by facon12 View Post
                  Have you gotten a hard drive yet? Also is there any requirement on brand or will any 1tb drive work. I might be able to help you out. I just need to make sure im understanding correctly that any old 1tb sata drive will work.
                  Thus far, one of the best 1 TB SATA drives i've seen offered online is from MemoryLabs...

                  http://store.memorylabs.net/hi1tbhdsau37.html

                  and to clarify something about the old TTB hardware... the only thing i'd ever consider letting go of would be the /drives/ themselves and that's all. hard disks are a dime a dozen and even these were replaced once or twice in the lifetime of the original TTBs.

                  However, their enclosures and pelican case, etc etc... that is history and will be surely preserved. As soon as we determine a proper place for that to live, of course. Until then, i'll keep 'em protected.

                  The 500 Gig drives, however... they can surely go anywhere. in fact, that could be a good trade... anyone who wants to supply the project with a new (a) green Pelican 1200 case, (b) CoolGear enclosure, or (c) 1 TB drive can get one of the "old" TTB 500 GB hard disks. it's not a perfectly even trade as far as "market" value is concerned... but the drives have sentimental and historical value. AST may receive one of them soon, as he volunteered to send me a drive for the new setup seen above... but that leaves three left... enough to repay three separate people who may wish to send the three key components that can produce yet another TTB before DEFCON.

                  if we can build it, i will bring it. that's for sure.
                  "I'll admit I had an OiNK account and frequented it quite often… What made OiNK a great place was that it was like the world's greatest record store… iTunes kind of feels like Sam Goody to me. I don't feel cool when I go there. I'm tired of seeing John Mayer's face pop up. I feel like I'm being hustled when I visit there, and I don't think their product is that great. DRM, low bit rate, etc... OiNK it existed because it filled a void of what people want."
                  - Trent Reznor

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: new Traveling Terabyte hardware config... suggestions?

                    One of our DC206/Black Lodge members headed out for deployment earlier today. I'd love to have this swing by his location. Also, do you have the drive issue resolved yet?

                    I have several vendors that give me hardware at highly discounted rates. I'd look into something with a 32mb cache

                    I return whatever i wish . Its called FREEDOWM OF RANDOMNESS IN A HECK . CLUSTERED DEFEATED CORn FORUM . Welcome to me

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                    • #11
                      Re: new Traveling Terabyte hardware config... suggestions?

                      Originally posted by noid View Post
                      One of our DC206/Black Lodge members headed out for deployment earlier today. I'd love to have this swing by his location.
                      i think Daisy saw a tweet or something about that from you earlier... a Specialist who is headed over for a year, right? would love to get a TTB to rotate his way.

                      Originally posted by noid View Post
                      Also, do you have the drive issue resolved yet? I have several vendors that give me hardware at highly discounted rates. I'd look into something with a 32mb cache
                      we have at least one TTB that will be completed and populated with data by DEFCON. with the exceedingly low cost of hardware, however, i wouldn't be hard to get a second one built. i'm still extending my offer to people who care to donate any of the three major components (case, enclosure, drive) that they can have one of the old TTB hard disks in return.
                      "I'll admit I had an OiNK account and frequented it quite often… What made OiNK a great place was that it was like the world's greatest record store… iTunes kind of feels like Sam Goody to me. I don't feel cool when I go there. I'm tired of seeing John Mayer's face pop up. I feel like I'm being hustled when I visit there, and I don't think their product is that great. DRM, low bit rate, etc... OiNK it existed because it filled a void of what people want."
                      - Trent Reznor

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: new Traveling Terabyte hardware config... suggestions?

                        Originally posted by Deviant Ollam View Post
                        with the exceedingly low cost of hardware, however, i wouldn't be hard to get a second one built. i'm still extending my offer to people who care to donate any of the three major components (case, enclosure, drive) that they can have one of the old TTB hard disks in return.
                        I could afford to hook you up with a new pelican case, I believe. Will the one here work:

                        http://www.opticsplanet.net/pelican-...roof-case.html

                        The OD Green option is listed as including the foam. I know this is the cheapest part of the setup to donate, but at the moment it's all I can really do. Let me know, and DM address details and I'll have it sent ASAP

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                        • #13
                          Re: new Traveling Terabyte hardware config... suggestions?

                          Originally posted by Schuyler View Post
                          I could afford to hook you up with a new pelican case, I believe. Will the one here work:

                          http://www.opticsplanet.net/pelican-...roof-case.html

                          The OD Green option is listed as including the foam. I know this is the cheapest part of the setup to donate, but at the moment it's all I can really do. Let me know, and DM address details and I'll have it sent ASAP
                          the 1200 is indeed the right case, and OD green is the color. i'll shoot you some shipping data in a text shortly. your rock!

                          there you have it, people... we have the makings of an additional TTB started. i will bring this one, as well, to DEFCON if we can get another drive and another enclosure.

                          schuyler gets one of the old hard disks to keep for posterity. two more folk want to step up?
                          "I'll admit I had an OiNK account and frequented it quite often… What made OiNK a great place was that it was like the world's greatest record store… iTunes kind of feels like Sam Goody to me. I don't feel cool when I go there. I'm tired of seeing John Mayer's face pop up. I feel like I'm being hustled when I visit there, and I don't think their product is that great. DRM, low bit rate, etc... OiNK it existed because it filled a void of what people want."
                          - Trent Reznor

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            content listing finally online

                            so... i got around to cataloging the current content that is the current master layout of files and directories. while it's a bit of a clumsy approach and involves a lot of scrolling, if you'd like to see what i've tentatively copied over to the TTB prep server, check 'em out.
                            "I'll admit I had an OiNK account and frequented it quite often… What made OiNK a great place was that it was like the world's greatest record store… iTunes kind of feels like Sam Goody to me. I don't feel cool when I go there. I'm tired of seeing John Mayer's face pop up. I feel like I'm being hustled when I visit there, and I don't think their product is that great. DRM, low bit rate, etc... OiNK it existed because it filled a void of what people want."
                            - Trent Reznor

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: content listing finally online

                              Email me - I got your TB Drive.

                              We can go to Frys and buy it or I can bring it or maybe even ship it to you. Email me, consider it off the list.

                              I could use a 500 TTB drive if no one else comes up :) I like history, I can put it next to my TRS-80.

                              Originally posted by Deviant Ollam View Post
                              so... i got around to cataloging the current content that is the current master layout of files and directories. while it's a bit of a clumsy approach and involves a lot of scrolling, if you'd like to see what i've tentatively copied over to the TTB prep server, check 'em out.
                              +++ Dallas +++

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