Linux machines are aware in the case of security. This extra security may sometimes become a headache for simple linux users.
For example, if u have separate partitions or hard drives , every time you have to mount those when required.The time-saving solution is to mount such media permanently.
Firstly to tell Debian where to find the mount and where you want it mounted. Secondly, to create the folder within Debian’s recognised file structure to house the mounted media. After you perform this configuration, your backup folder on a secondary disk can be accessed from within your /home/user folder.
1. Open the fstab file that controls your mounts:
nano etc/fstab
2.Find out the name of partition that you are planning to mount . It lists recognized partition tables:
fdisk -l
3.At the bottom of the file, for each partition or drive you wish to mount forever, paste:
/dev/sdb1 /mnt/backup_drive ext3 users,noatime,auto,rw,nodev,exec,nosuid 0 0
Notes:
• /dev/sdb1 – media to mount
• /mnt/backup_drive – location to mount to with a friendly name
• ext3 – filesystem
• users – allow all users, alternatively use user
• noatime – don’t waste resources recording last access time or, if you want this info, change to atime.
• auto – mount on boot
• rw – read write access
• nodev – prevents unauthorized device mounts
• exec – execute programmes from disk
• nosuid – do not allow set-user-identifier
4. Save the file.
5. Now create the folder location for the mount:
mkdir -p /mnt/backup_drive
6.Reboot your system to see the Debian automatically mounting the device @ boot time.

April 25th, 2011 on 02:07
Hello, I have tried this and I can not get it to work… I am working on an embedded computer and running very low on memory. I am trying to make a removable compact flash non-removable so that I can install programs onto it. sudo fdisk -l gives the compact flash as /dev/sdb1 but upon copying the recommended text at the bottom of etc/fstab and then creating the dir: /mnt/backup_drive creates an empty directory after reboot (the dir should not be empty)?? Any suggestions?
Thanks!!
Steve
April 25th, 2011 on 15:34
for your stick you need another line in /etc/fstab. Try this :
/dev/sdb1 /mnt/backup_drive vfat defaults 0 0May 1st, 2011 on 23:40
Thanks admin!
This worked. I’m impressed that you recognized that my CF was fat32 (vfat) without me mentioning it!
Thanks,
Steve