Mounting an external USB HD to execute software

LinuxVirgIan · 02-09-2009, 07:54 AM

Hi,
I'm running on the fly here, as my laptop is at home:
In principal, is it possible to hard mount an external USB HD such that I can load and run software stored on that HD?

My vaio laptop is old and has insufficient HD on-board to store the Java IDE I wish to use. On my previous Linux desktop, RIP, I was simply told I couldn't run externally stored software for security reasons. I wonder if I can bring it into the fold by properly mounting it?

I'm running Vector 5.7? soho, which I'm very impressed with.
USB HD is WD 2.2inch 110GB.

Qn 2, How do I find out the mount code? This disc mounts automatically as an external unit - can I copy the code across?

Many thanks

Ian

geek.ksa · 02-09-2009, 09:36 AM

well, as far as i know you can run and install software from a "soft-mounted" drive. why would that be a probem?

irishbitte · 02-09-2009, 09:40 AM

Not sure about Vector, but as a general rule of thumb, everything in Linux is a file, so yes, it is possible to do what you are asking. Whether it is recommended is another ball game!

irishbitte · 02-09-2009, 09:42 AM

Not sure about Vector, but everything in Linux is a file, so yes you can, in theory, do what you want. Please remember that this may not be advisable for a few reasons, such as security and system stability.

tredegar · 02-09-2009, 10:38 AM

Drives can be mounted so that software cannot be run from them. However, my current kubuntu allows me to run software on an external drive by default.

See man mount and search for exec and noexec

If you want to see how your USB drive has been mounted just type mount in a terminal.

Here's mine:

Code:

tred@vaio:~$ mount
/dev/sda6 on / type ext3 (rw,relatime,errors=remount-ro)
proc on /proc type proc (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
/sys on /sys type sysfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
varrun on /var/run type tmpfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev,mode=0755)
varlock on /var/lock type tmpfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev,mode=1777)
udev on /dev type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
devshm on /dev/shm type tmpfs (rw)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,gid=5,mode=620)
lrm on /lib/modules/2.6.24-23-generic/volatile type tmpfs (rw)
securityfs on /sys/kernel/security type securityfs (rw)
binfmt_misc on /proc/sys/fs/binfmt_misc type binfmt_misc (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
/dev/sdb1 on /media/disk type ext3 (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=hal,data=ordered)
tred@vaio:~$

LinuxVirgIan · 02-11-2009, 03:15 AM

Next week I am travelling - I shall try these suggestions then.

Meantime, Thank you for your advice, its most gratefully received

Ian