Linux MTD and NFTL - Question

[Sean Kelley]

Simon,

That is a good question.  Unfortunately, my USB device lacks any block
translation firmware that you would find in say the embedded
controllers of ATA/CF type devices.  The translation layer approach is
nice if you are using PCMCIA or a DOC part.  However, if you have a
raw NAND you leave yourself open to potential IP issues due the the
variety of patents held.  Thus, it would appear the best solution is
some sort of PC side filesystem profile that can read YAFFS or JFFS2.

Thanks,

Sean


On Tue, 15 Feb 2005 14:33:20 +0000, Simon Haynes <simon at baydel.com> wrote:
> Sean,
> 
> Do you know if the USB device contains any embedded block translation layer ?
> 
> I had a similar problem with Smart Media. All of the PC card readers I have
> come across have a embedded block translation layer and my ebmedded hardware
> did not. I had to write a software version of this translation layer so that
> I could interchange the media. I included this stuff in the mtd tree so you
> can get it there, if this is what you need ?
> 
> This is very basic code and it has limitiations which made writing the stuff
> quicker. These are ok for me but may not be for you.
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Simon
> 
> On Tuesday 15 Feb 2005 2:47 am, Sean Kelley wrote:
> > I've been looking into an NFTL implementation for a device that uses a
> > NAND part and needs to be mounted on a Window's PC Desktop.  Thus I
> > need a Block Device interface so as to present a surface on which a
> > FAT filesystem can be placed.  However, in the course of my research
> > it came to my attention that a company called M-Systems has a hefty
> > amount of IP with regards to FTL and NFTL for pseudo-block devices.
> > How does the Linux MTD-NFTL skirt the patents that M-Systems has in
> > place?  If I want to sell my product commercially what sort of risk?
> > It is not terribly clear.  I've looked at YAFFS and JFFS2, but those
> > won't work if I wish to support USB mass storage for the Windows
> > desktop.
> >
> > Any comments on NFTL and M-Systems patents much appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Sean
> >
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