I know this isn't appropriate for everyone, but here is a simple, cheap, space-saving way to add USB mass storage access to an IRIX desktop PC running IRIX 6.5.22 which I have implemented.
Basically, I use a Wyse Winterm thin client (currently an S30 I bought for $25, previously a WT3125 for $5). These look like modems or routers, very small form factor which was a priority for me on my little fold-out desk. Note that Wyse thin clients are exceptionally easy to hack, being well documented with all the "official" software readily available for free download from Wyse. Simple to implement small Linuxes like DSL, Puppy, etc. The S30 is a low power Intel chip so you can basically load any S/W you want pretty easily.
So I set up my SGI automatically to provide OS's to the Winterm (by built-in anonymous ftp pull from the Winterm), then installed the nekoware Samba and vnc client on the SGI. With the Winterm on my router, it ain't fancy but I can access pretty much any USB storage device and my SGI filesystem from the vnc window. Mainly my phones, e-books, Pocket Drives, and memory sticks. Also cameras and such, but there are some issues with those.
In practice, I have chosen to use the WinCE 6.0 OS, not because its cool, but because it performs much faster than the Linuxes I tried. I think it is because WinCE is an RTOS, not a virtual store OS. Not sure.
So, you might ask, why vnc into the Winterm and use SGI Samba service instead of NFSing from the SGI as client and the Winterm as server? The answer is that I have been unable to source original media for NFS for IRIX 6.5. Likewise the IDO, which I'd really like to find.
So, feel free to abuse me for such a "Rube Goldberg" hack -- Doesn't bother me. This actually does the job
J
Basically, I use a Wyse Winterm thin client (currently an S30 I bought for $25, previously a WT3125 for $5). These look like modems or routers, very small form factor which was a priority for me on my little fold-out desk. Note that Wyse thin clients are exceptionally easy to hack, being well documented with all the "official" software readily available for free download from Wyse. Simple to implement small Linuxes like DSL, Puppy, etc. The S30 is a low power Intel chip so you can basically load any S/W you want pretty easily.
So I set up my SGI automatically to provide OS's to the Winterm (by built-in anonymous ftp pull from the Winterm), then installed the nekoware Samba and vnc client on the SGI. With the Winterm on my router, it ain't fancy but I can access pretty much any USB storage device and my SGI filesystem from the vnc window. Mainly my phones, e-books, Pocket Drives, and memory sticks. Also cameras and such, but there are some issues with those.
In practice, I have chosen to use the WinCE 6.0 OS, not because its cool, but because it performs much faster than the Linuxes I tried. I think it is because WinCE is an RTOS, not a virtual store OS. Not sure.
So, you might ask, why vnc into the Winterm and use SGI Samba service instead of NFSing from the SGI as client and the Winterm as server? The answer is that I have been unable to source original media for NFS for IRIX 6.5. Likewise the IDO, which I'd really like to find.
So, feel free to abuse me for such a "Rube Goldberg" hack -- Doesn't bother me. This actually does the job
J