Qui-devices: How do you attach only a partition?

qubist · May 1, 2024, 5:58pm

Hi,

I could never get attaching an individual partition to work automatically (e.g. to have it show up in Thunar after attaching). That always required the manual mounting, handling of permissions etc. to make it usable.

The old qui-devices showed BDF info about devices (which was good) and at least there was the option for attaching an individual partition through the UI. In the new version of the UI, these are both removed.

How do you attach only a partition of a block device?

SteveC · May 1, 2024, 7:59pm

Unfortunately when thumb drives and the like are partitioned with a root partition and one or more nested partitions, that’s simply not going to work. Which is, of course, what you’re saying!

I am glad I automated it (somewhat) at the price of writing a service that lets the AppVM access a list of available devices. From the user standpoint the AppVM makes the request to do the attachment, dom0 just does it.

Another thing I did was to format most of my thumbdrives as single ext4 file systems. Then, there’s no issue with nested partitions. Of course by doing this the thumbdrive won’t work most places because either ext4 isn’t recognized, or the system can’t cope with not having those nested partitions.

steffen · May 1, 2024, 8:49pm

I also recognized the change in the UI after the last update and don’t like it. Before it was possible to see the device name i.e. “/dev/sdb” that had to be forwarded to a vm in order to make it work in a file-manger. I pretty much ignored the other ones named /dev/sdb1 to /dev/sdb4…

Now I see five equally named entries - without knowing which one to choose.
Please undo this change if any developer reads this by chance.

SteveC · May 1, 2024, 10:24pm

I also happen to have a thumb drive whose description (given by qvm-devices usb --list) is “USB_SanDisk_3.2Gen1_” followed by a hex number at least 100 characters long. This makes the menu almost as wide as my display since instead of showing the things people on this thread are asking for, it shows you that instead.

qubist · May 2, 2024, 2:53pm

Thanks for the feedback. So, it is not just me.

As for the new UI:

github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues

qui-devices: Add options for qubes display/selection

opened 05:54PM - 23 Apr 24 UTC

emanruse

T: enhancement C: manager/widget ux P: default

### The problem you're addressing (if any) The new qui-devices looks great on… first click. However, the section of the secondary list of actually running qubes (which are the ones most likely to be selected by the user) is offset by the list of disposable templates, i.e too far away to click (especially with many of them). Assuming everyone is accustomed to the old menu, this is not only inconvenient but also a potential source of user mistakes. ### The solution you'd like Provide an option to have (by default) only the running qubes and have the disposable templates as an opt-in possibility. Additionally, the considering USB security implications, it would be good to have an explicit confirmation when choosing a qube, e.g. "Device X will be attached to qube Y. Are you sure? (Y/N)" ### The value to a user, and who that user might be Much easier, less error-prone qube selection. ### Completion criteria checklist (This section is for developer use only. Please do not modify it.)

kenosen · May 2, 2024, 5:04pm

Is it possible to revert to the old qui-devices?

qubist · May 3, 2024, 7:34am

github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues

qui-devices: Restore previous functionality

opened 07:33AM - 03 May 24 UTC

emanruse

T: bug P: default

### Qubes OS release 4.2.1 ### Brief summary The old qui-devices sh…owed BDF info about devices (which was good) and there was the option for attaching an individual partition through the UI ("slightly more secure" as per doc). In the new version, these are both removed. ### Steps to reproduce Run qui-devices. ### Expected behavior - Display bus and device info. - Have the option to attach only a specific partition. ### Actual behavior None of the above exist any more.