Inconsistent disk naming on Ubuntu and derivatives

dsswift · 03-08-2011, 02:05 PM

I have a SATA internal hard disk and a USB external hard disk, both with several partitions) plus two USB flash sticks and a multicard reader. When I boot Ubuntu (or any distribution based on it) the internal disk partitions can be /dev/sdan, /dev/sdbn or even on one occasion /dev/sdhn. This caused me some problems with my /etc/fstab file and swap partitions, which I have now largely solved by using disk and swap labels. However I would be interested to know the reason for this

corp769 · 03-08-2011, 02:09 PM

That would depend on how it would be loaded; If your system detects the USB flash drives first, then they will get /dev/sdaX first, then the next device, etc.

eSelix · 03-08-2011, 03:07 PM

And for this reason arised UUID naming. Look into /dev/disk/by-uuid There are links with fixed names to appropriate disk devices. The system can recognize theses uuids for example in fstab.

dsswift · 03-21-2011, 01:06 PM

I resolved the problem by using labels(The are less unwieldy then UUIDs). I am just surprised that Ubuntu and its derivatives see a USB drive before an internal drive. Fedora always sees the internal dribe as /dev/sdaN.