Sharing an external hard drive between Linux and OS X

Crushing Belial · 10-03-2005, 09:12 PM

What file system can I use besides FAT32 that OS X and Linux can read and write to? I plan on getting a 320gb external drive so I can share files between my Debian box, and an iBook. I really don't want any wierd partitioning schemes, and FAT32 sucks. Ideally, I'd like to use Ext3. Is there a way to read and write to Ext3 under OS X?

linux-rulz · 10-04-2005, 12:35 AM

FAT32 is the easiest filesystem to use between multiple Operating Systems. It is the best supported FS by all OS vendors. HFS might work, but it won't be nearly as stable under Linux.

However, if you do that, and you need to temporarily use it with a Windows computer, you're kind of screwed.

I'd say stick with FAT32.

pembo13 · 10-04-2005, 03:12 AM

Linux will certainly deal with HFs without a problem. I got a used ext hdd, and it came with HFS on it without my realising. I thought it would have come with Fat32. I just plugged it in, and FC4 just mounted it without a problem.

Crushing Belial · 10-05-2005, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pembo13
Linux will certainly deal with HFs without a problem. I got a used ext hdd, and it came with HFS on it without my realising. I thought it would have come with Fat32. I just plugged it in, and FC4 just mounted it without a problem.

Is there a way to format the hard drive to HFS with Linux? I haven't bought the iBook yet.

pembo13 · 10-05-2005, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Crushing Belial
Is there a way to format the hard drive to HFS with Linux? I haven't bought the iBook yet.

This link suggests so: man mkfs.hfs . However, I don't seem to have the binary mkfs.hfs on mf FC4 install

cs-cam · 10-05-2005, 04:14 AM

I use HFS+ on my linux box without any stability issues.

pembo13 · 10-05-2005, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cs-cam
I use HFS+ on my linux box without any stability issues.

Yes, but the OP wants to know if Linux can create the partion and format it to HFS+ accordinly. The later seems to be possible, but not easily so.

cs-cam · 10-06-2005, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pembo13
Yes, but the OP wants to know if Linux can create the partion and format it to HFS+ accordinly. The later seems to be possible, but not easily so.

Ahh, oops. My bad.