Tag Archives: sd cards

Networked Storage with the Raspberry Pi

With memory going cheap, almost everyone has a plethora of high-capacity hard disks lying around. Networking them makes it super convenient for use, as you can access files from any computer, even if they are remote. However, this can be an expensive proposition, unless you are using a convenient single board computer such as the Raspberry Pi (RBPi).

The RBPi can be used to create a very cheap NAS setup with a few hard drives connected to a network and accessible from anywhere. Apart from the hard drive itself, you will need an RBPi. Although models 1 and 2 may work just fine, they may not be able to provide enough power to operate some hard disk drives. In this context, the RBPi3 offers better support, but you will still be limited to 100 Mbps via its Ethernet, and USB 2.0. However, using a powered USB hub for powering the external hard drives may be another alternative.

You will need to install the operating system for the RBPi on to an 8 GB micro SD card. Use the OpenMediaVault OS, by downloading it from here. Format the SD card to FAT32, and write the image of the downloaded and extracted OS to the SD card.

Now connect peripherals to the RBPi and its power supply. Initially, you will need a keyboard, a monitor, and a local network connection via Ethernet. Power up the RBPi and allow it to complete the initial boot process.

Once completed, you can use the default web interface credentials to sign in—use admin as the username and openmediavault as the password. The login will give you the IP address of the RBPi, and for subsequent log-ins, you will no longer need the monitor and keyboard connected to the RBPi.

At this stage, you can connect the storage devices to the RBPi. On another computer, on the same network, open a web browser and enter the IP address of the RBPi. Enter the same credentials in the web interface that appears, and you will reach the web interface for the OpenMediaVault. This will bring you to the navigation menu.

To get your NAS online, you first need to mount the external drives. In the navigation menu, clicking on File Systems under Storage will allow you to locate your storage drives under the Devices column. Click on one drive to select it and click Mount. Now click Apply to confirm the action. Repeat the steps to mount additional drives.

You will also need to create a shared folder to allow other devices on the network to access the drives. Finally, to allow an external computer on the network share the folders and drives, you must enable SMB/CIFS from Services in the navigation menu. Next, click on the Shares tab and Add the created folders one by one. For each, click Save.

Now that the NAS is up and running, you can access the drives from another computer by mapping them. To access them, the RBPi will ask for login credentials. By default, these are pi as the username and raspberry for the password.

What are Counterfeit SD Cards?

Many of us use SD or Secure Digital memory cards, but seldom do we check if the total capacity actually matches that specified on the card. According to the Counterfeit Report, several dishonest sellers on Alibaba, Amazon, eBay and other reputed sites offer deep discounts for high capacity cards. They use common serial numbers with cards and packaging nearly identical to the authentic products from all major SD card brands.

According to tests conducted by the Counterfeit Report, although the cards work, buyers usually purchase a card based on the specifications printed on it. What they think and buy as a 32GB SD card, may turn out to be a counterfeit with a capacity of only 7GB. Counterfeiters usually overwrite the real memory capacity, imprinting a false capacity figure to match any model and capacity they prefer. Usually, the actual memory capacity cannot be determined by simply plugging the card into a computer, phone or camera. Only when the phony card reaches its limit, it starts to overwrite files, leading to lost data.

According the Craig Crosby, publisher of the Counterfeit Report, such fake cards also come in capacities that do not exist in any product line and counterfeiters target mostly cards above 32GB. They make a great profit on selling fake cards, with practically no consequence.

Usually, people cannot make out counterfeit cards from real ones, until these stop working. Usually, the blame falls on the manufacturer for making faulty products. This may happen even if you buy from a major retailer, as counterfeiters buy genuine items, only to exchange them unopened with their fakes.

Although software packages are available to test whether the card capacity matches the specifications on its packaging, organizations find it time-consuming, especially if they have bought cards in bulk. Additionally, the problem is not with SD cards alone, counterfeiters make fake portable flash drives including USB sticks as well.

Although the SD Association does make standards and specifications for SD cards to promote their adoption, advancement and use, they do not monitor the trade of products such as SD memory cards. The responsibility of counterfeit SD cards falls in the realm of law enforcement.

Manufacturers of SD memory card products can contract with several SD standards-related organizations for different intellectual property related to SD standards. Additionally, SDA member companies can resort to compliance and testing tools for confirming their products meet the standards and specifications, providing assurance to users about interoperability with other products of similar nature.

Consumers, especially bulk purchasers, should be careful to buy from authorized resellers, distributers and sellers. The best resource for any enquiry is the manufacturer of the SD memory card product.

This malaise is not restricted to counterfeit SD cards alone. It is a part of a larger problem. According to the Counterfeit Report, several other items face the same situation. Phony items exist for iPhones, other smartphones, airbags and many other peripherals such as chargers. It is very difficult for consumers to make out the counterfeits and many are even unaware of the existence of such phony high-end items.

What are Counterfeit SD Cards?

Many of us use SD or Secure Digital memory cards, but seldom do we check if the total capacity actually matches that specified on the card. According to the Counterfeit Report, several dishonest sellers on Alibaba, Amazon, eBay and other reputed sites offer deep discounts for high capacity cards. They use common serial numbers with cards and packaging nearly identical to the authentic products from all major SD card brands.

According to tests conducted by the Counterfeit Report, although the cards work, buyers usually purchase a card based on the specifications printed on it. What they think and buy as a 32GB SD card, may turn out to be a counterfeit with a capacity of only 7GB. Counterfeiters usually overwrite the real memory capacity, imprinting a false capacity figure to match any model and capacity they prefer. Usually, the actual memory capacity cannot be determined by simply plugging the card into a computer, phone or camera. Only when the phony card reaches its limit, it starts to overwrite files, leading to lost data.

According the Craig Crosby, publisher of the Counterfeit Report, such fake cards also come in capacities that do not exist in any product line and counterfeiters target mostly cards above 32GB. They make a great profit on selling fake cards, with practically no consequence.

Usually, people cannot make out counterfeit cards from real ones, until these stop working. Usually, the blame falls on the manufacturer for making faulty products. This may happen even if you buy from a major retailer, as counterfeiters buy genuine items, only to exchange them unopened with their fakes.

Although software packages are available to test whether the card capacity matches the specifications on its packaging, organizations find it time-consuming, especially if they have bought cards in bulk. Additionally, the problem is not with SD cards alone, counterfeiters make fake portable flash drives including USB sticks as well.

Although the SD Association does make standards and specifications for SD cards to promote their adoption, advancement and use, they do not monitor the trade of products such as SD memory cards. The responsibility of counterfeit SD cards falls in the realm of law enforcement.

Manufacturers of SD memory card products can contract with several SD standards-related organizations for different intellectual property related to SD standards. Additionally, SDA member companies can resort to compliance and testing tools for confirming their products meet the standards and specifications, providing assurance to users about interoperability with other products of similar nature.

Consumers, especially bulk purchasers, should be careful to buy from authorized resellers, distributors and sellers. The best resource for any enquiry is the manufacturer of the SD memory card product.

This malaise is not restricted to counterfeit SD cards alone. It is a part of a larger problem. According to the Counterfeit Report, several other items face the same situation. Phony items exist for iPhones, other smartphones, airbags and many other peripherals such as chargers. It is very difficult for consumers to make out the counterfeits and many are even unaware of the existence of such phony high-end items.