Re: [Tails-dev] 2.0 milestone += supporting USB devices expo…

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Author: sajolida
Date:  
To: The Tails public development discussion list
Subject: Re: [Tails-dev] 2.0 milestone += supporting USB devices exposed as non-removable?
On 02/11/13 16:43, intrigeri wrote:
> Tails refuses to boot from devices that expose themselves as
> non-removable. Historically, all USB sticks said they were removable,
> even if this is not correct according to the specification (removable
> is rather for devices that can be fed with removable medium, such as
> a floppy drive). Recently, quite a lot of new USB sticks (especially
> Sandisk) expose themselves as non-removable. This is causing headaches
> to a number of users, and a non-negligible workload for frontdesk.
>
> I propose we add fixing this to the Tails 2.0 milestone, for the same
> reason we added UEFI there: it's a must for Tails to stay relevant.
> Unless there are objections within a week, I'll do this change.
>
> A draft preliminary plan could be:
>
> 1. Have Tails Installer write down the UUID in boot loader config on
>    initial install
> 2. Have Tails Installer preserve the UUID in boot loader config on
>    upgrade
> 3. Have Tails Updater (IUK) preserve the UUID in boot loader config on
>    upgrade
> 4. Require booting from the UUID that is in boot loader config, that
>    is add such an option to live-boot
> 5. Stop requiring the removable flag at boot time
> 6. Only allow using persistent volume from the boot medium, that is
>    add such an option to live-persist and/or live-boot

>
> Better ideas are welcome.
>
> I've filed this as ticket #6397.


I fully agree with this plan; and it is really necessary.