Sharing External Scratch Disk

<p>I'm thinking of using an external eSATA drive as a shared scratch disk (I would set up Photoshop on both my laptop and my desktop to use it for scratch).<br>

Anyone else tried this? Does it work? Or is it going to get corrupted by two computers taking frequent turns using it?</p>

<p>It could care less, go for it.<br>

Mark Savoia<br>

<b>Signature URL removed, not allowed on photo.net.</b>

<p>The scratch disk does more than store overflow, it acts like virtual memory for images too big to fit in the application. Consequently, it should be as fast as possible. An external SATA drive is only about 1/3rd as fast as the same drive mounted internally. Network communications are an order or two of magnitude slower yet.</p>

<p>To make a long story short, you are wasting your time. Drives are cheap. Put them where needed. Use network drives when information sharing, rather than performance, is the most important attribute.</p>

<p>Seconding Edward's thoughts, I have not had any luck using external drives as scratch disks. IO errors, etc. accumulate.<br>

The only external drive I might consider for that might be a fast SCSI...<br>

Have you considered adding a docking-bay drive for your laptop (not necessarily cheap)... you can easily add an internal drive on your desktop. Mine currently has 3 internal 500gb drives.</p>

<p>Well, I'd guess that a 7200 RPM eSATA using its proprietary interface (not USB) will probably still run faster than my laptop's internal 5400 RPM drive ...<br>

And why would it be 1/3 the speed externally vs internally, if you're using a good enclosure and eSATA controller?</p>

<p>here's a related post from another forum:<br>

"Ok I wanted to test my comment about ESATA should be as fast a SATA so I ran tests with my system and using my blackX and 2 Antec MX-1 units so heres the results.................. <br /> <br /> Drives tested internal <br /> <br /> HD Tune: WDC WD5000AAKS-00TMA Benchmark <br /> <br /> Transfer Rate Minimum : 22.9 MB/sec <br /> Transfer Rate Maximum : 83.7 MB/sec <br /> Transfer Rate Average : 68.7 MB/sec <br /> Access Time : 13.4 ms <br /> Burst Rate : 98.5 MB/sec <br /> CPU Usage : 8.6% <br /> <br /> HD Tune: WDC WD7500AAKS-00RBA Benchmark <br /> <br /> Transfer Rate Minimum : 46.4 MB/sec <br /> Transfer Rate Maximum : 94.5 MB/sec <br /> Transfer Rate Average : 75.1 MB/sec <br /> Access Time : 13.8 ms <br /> Burst Rate : 106.3 MB/sec <br /> CPU Usage : 6.0% <br /> <br /> Drives tested external on Thermaltake BlacX <br /> Label Software <br /> HD Tune: SATA ST315003 Benchmark <br /> <br /> Transfer Rate Minimum : 62.2 MB/sec <br /> Transfer Rate Maximum : 106.8 MB/sec <br /> Transfer Rate Average : 95.5 MB/sec <br /> Access Time : 14.2 ms <br /> Burst Rate : 69.9 MB/sec <br /> CPU Usage : 5.1% <br /> <br /> Label Learning <br /> HD Tune: SATA ST315003 Benchmark <br /> <br /> Transfer Rate Minimum : 58.6 MB/sec <br /> Transfer Rate Maximum : 106.7 MB/sec <br /> Transfer Rate Average : 96.7 MB/sec <br /> Access Time : 14.2 ms <br /> Burst Rate : 69.2 MB/sec <br /> CPU Usage : 5.5% <br /> <br /> Drives tested external on Antec-MX1 <br /> Label Software <br /> HD Tune: SATA ST315003 Benchmark <br /> <br /> Transfer Rate Minimum : 59.9 MB/sec <br /> Transfer Rate Maximum : 106.7 MB/sec <br /> Transfer Rate Average : 95.3 MB/sec <br /> Access Time : 13.5 ms <br /> Burst Rate : 65.5 MB/sec <br /> CPU Usage : 5.0% <br /> <br /> Label Learning <br /> HD Tune: SATA ST315003 Benchmark <br /> <br /> Transfer Rate Minimum : 58.6 MB/sec <br /> Transfer Rate Maximum : 105.8 MB/sec <br /> Transfer Rate Average : 93.7 MB/sec <br /> Access Time : 13.6 ms <br /> Burst Rate : 87.6 MB/sec <br /> CPU Usage : 5.7% <br /> <br /> Seems like HD Tune so no major slowdows with internal and extrenal drives although I didnt test the 1.5tb drive internally the test seem good performance wise on ESATA devices....... <br /> Check my rig for system information <strong><br /> <br /> -------------------------<br /> </strong> ...............Techman <br /> <br /> My Rig <br /> <a href="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.aspx?rigid=33117" target="_blank" >http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.aspx?rigid=33117</a><br>

"</p>

<p>I'm back to this issue now that I have all the necessary hardware. Can someone weigh in further?<br>

Is it possible to get eSATA speeds comparable to SATA? Can such an eSATA external scratch disk be shared frequently by CS4 installations on different operating systems?<br>

I'd really appreciate some advice.<br>

Thanks!</p>