Topic: feature request: space-optimization / hardlinks
started by: j.s.
Posted by j.s. on Aug. 12 2004,16:10
hifirst, let my describe an example:
do you know the MS server 2003-cds that carry two file-trees - one for the standard-, anotherone for the enterprise-version?
both file-trees on that cd have an own I386-subfolder that usually would never fit on one cd.
i think they "reuse" a huge amount of identical files by having TWO TOC-entries in different locations, pointing to ONE file...
then, my actual problem:
i want to author a cd that contains "XP Pro with integrated SP2" + "SP2 for Windows XP (unpacked)" + "a couple of systools".
I could manage to put this on one single CD if I had a tool to create "ISO-hardlinks" for all the duplicate I386-files in both locations.
now, my feature-request:
In a new, filled-up ISO, while authoring with UltraISO, there could be a function named "search for linkable duplicates" that does the following:
- create an internal list of file-checksums (i.e. md5) for comparison
- mark dupes internally as "don't build second file but only create TOC-entry for found original file"
- calculate savings, maybe build list for user to make manual exceptions (not necessary)
- act accordingly when creating the image
possible, useful options for this feature:
- ignore filenames when looking for dupes (default)
- ignore timestamps when looking for dupes (default)
- (maybe attributes, too, no more ideas)
what do you think?
p.s.
I had a talk with a unix-guy next door today about this and he proposed a way to solve this by running a perl-script to create hardlinks on a HD, then using mkisofs with the right options.
but this wasn't done yet.
If you know another way / have another idea / know a tool that already exists for win32, please let me know!
thx
Posted by j.s. on Aug. 12 2004,16:15
addition to "p.s.":of course this was thought to be done under linux.
I just finished playing around with cygwin, ntfs-hardlinks created by FSUTIL, etc, but wasn't successful...
Posted by j.s. on Aug. 12 2004,19:34
OK, here's the end of my monologue:There's an MS-internal tool named "CDimage"* , that does it when using the -o switch.
(I didn't test it yet, so I don't know if it uses error-free checksum-comparison, or if it allows disregarding filenames and timestamps.)
Still, maybe you want to consider blabla...
* should be easy to find if you want to take a look at it.
Posted by xoben on Aug. 12 2004,20:54
Thanks for your message.Fisrtly, UltraISO does support this feature since version 5.55. You can enable it by checking 'Optimize' option on 'Properties' dialogue.
Secondly, an add-on program (named as EasyBoot) can help you to create a menu for All-in-one bootable DVD, please visit < http://www.ezbsystems.com/easyboot > for more detailed information.
Posted by j.s. on Aug. 13 2004,01:52
now that makes me look stoopid, doesn't it...
I should should have noticed and tested that checkmark instead of going through the helpfile (where I couldn't find anything explaining it), haha...