Opinions about MAXIMUM_PARTS crippling in util-linux-2.11r-miscfixes.patch

[Wojtek Pilorz]

On Mon, 8 Sep 2003, Leonard den Ottolander wrote:
> Hello Wojtek,
> 
> > My understanding is that this has been done to mask a bug in Microsoft
> > Windows 2000 which goes into infinite loop going back and forth through the
> > disk when it sees 16 or more partitions.
> 
>  The limit is up to and including 16 partitions (if you count the extended 
> partition as one as well).
> 
>  My understanding is this has to do with the fact that SCSI can't handle 
> more than 15 (16 if you count the extended partition as well) partitions. 
> See the original comment in util-linux-2.11r-miscfixes.patch.
Thank you for explanation; I should have checked source first and I cant 
see the logic you mention, too.

> 
>  I would also be happy if we got rid of this limitation, but since SCSI 
> disks seem to require it logic needs to be added to distinguish between 
> SCSI and IDE disks. Afaict this logic is currently not there, and I guess 
> that is why Red Hat chose to take the safe maximum of 16 partitions. So I 
> guess for now you just have to patch the patches and rebuild util-linux 
> yourself.

Would something so simple as to check whether the name specified matches
.*/hd[a-l] and only then allow up to 60 partitions would be acceptable for 
inclusion in RHL?


> 
> Bye,
> Leonard.
> 
> --
> How clean is a war when you shoot around nukelar waste?
> Stop the use of depleted uranium ammo!
> End all weapons of mass destruction.
> 
Best regards,

Wojtek