What is hdparm Linux command?
The hdparm command in Linux is used to control and monitor hard disk drive (HDD) operations. It allows users to view and modify various parameters and settings of the HDD, such as enabling or disabling features like power management and write caching. By utilizing hdparm, users can optimize the performance and functionality of their hard drives within a Linux system.
hdparm Syntax:
hdparm [options] [device]hdparm Options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -a | Get/set sectors to transfer |
| -A | Enable/disable IDE features |
| -b | Set bus state |
| -B | Set Advanced Power Management feature |
| -c | Enable/disable 32-bit I/O support |
| -C | Check IDE power mode |
| -d | Enable/disable using_dma |
| -D | Set drive read-lookahead flag (usually ON) |
| -e | Set cd-rom speed |
| -f | Flush disk cache |
| -F | Flush buffer cache for device on SCSI devices |
| -g | Display drive geometry |
| -h | Display terse usage information |
| -H | read temperature from drive |
| -I | Display detailed current IDE info |
| -k | Get/set keep_settings_over_reset flag (0/1) |
| -K | Set drive keep features over reset (0/1) |
| -L | Lock device door |
| -m | Get/set multiple sector count |
| -M | Get/set automatic acoustic management (0-254, 128: quiet, 254: performance) |
| -n | Get/set ignore write errors flag |
| -N | Get/set max visible number of sectors |
| -p | Set PIO mode on IDE interface lines |
| -P | Set drive prefetch count |
| -q | Change the rx/tx queues in IDE driver or stand-alone Control FSW`s |
| -Q | Set SATA NCQ mode (on |
| -r | Get/set device readonly flag |
| -R | Register an Applications Power Management (APM) level |
| -s | Save configuration for device |
| -S | Set standby (spindown) timeout |
| -T | Perform device read timings |
| -u | Get/set interrupt-unmask flag |
| -U | Disable/enable the UPS feature |
| -v | Display minor version number |
| -V | Display identify information, serial number |
| -w | Get timing for IDE taskfile resets |
| -W | Perform device reset (DANGEROUS) |
| -x | Perform low-level formatting on device |
| -X | Set IDE xfer mode (DANGEROUS) |
| -y | Force an IDE drive to immediately enter the low power consumption standby mode |
| -Y | Force an IDE drive to enter the working power mode |
Parameters:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| device | The device to perform actions on, like /dev/sda or /dev/hda |
hdparm Command Usage Examples:
Display Information about a Specific Drive
hdparm -I /dev/sdaThis command displays detailed information about the drive /dev/sda
Measure Disk Read Speed
hdparm -t /dev/sdaThis command measures the buffer read speed of the disk /dev/sda
Change Advanced Power Management Feature
hdparm -B 128 /dev/sdaThis command sets the Advanced Power Management feature on the disk /dev/sda to a value of 128
Disable Automatic Acoustic Management
hdparm -M 253 /dev/sdaThis command disables Automatic Acoustic Management on the disk /dev/sda by setting it to 253
Secure Erase a Disk
hdparm --security-set-pass mypassword /dev/sdahdparm --security-erase mypassword /dev/sdaThis pair of commands sets a password “mypassword” and performs a secure erase on the disk /dev/sda
How do I set the spin-down timeout for a hard disk using hdparm in Linux?
To set the spin-down timeout for a hard disk in Linux using hdparm, execute the following command:
hdparm -S <value> /dev/sdXHow can I check the current advanced power management setting of a disk with hdparm in Linux?
To check the current advanced power management setting of a disk in Linux using hdparm, use the following command:
hdparm -B /dev/sdXHow do I enable write-caching on a hard disk using hdparm in Linux?
To enable write-caching on a hard disk in Linux with hdparm, run the following command:
hdparm -W1 /dev/sdXHow can I get information about a hard disk’s capabilities using hdparm in Linux?
To retrieve information about a hard disk’s capabilities in Linux with hdparm, run the following command:
hdparm -I /dev/sdXHow do I disable read-ahead buffering on a disk using hdparm in Linux?
To disable read-ahead buffering on a disk in Linux using hdparm, execute the following command:
hdparm -a0 /dev/sdXHow can I perform a secure erase on a disk using hdparm in Linux?
To perform a secure erase on a disk in Linux using hdparm, run the following command (Note: this operation irreversibly erases all data on the disk):
hdparm --security-erase NULL /dev/sdXHow do I display the usage information for hdparm in Linux?
To display the usage information for hdparm in Linux, simply run the command with the --help option:
hdparm --helpHow can I run a read speed test on a disk using hdparm in Linux?
To perform a read speed test on a disk in Linux using hdparm, use the following command:
hdparm -t /dev/sdXApplications of the hdparm command
- Displaying information about a hard disk
- Checking disk capabilities and features
- Testing disk performance
- Changing disk settings
- Improving disk performance
- Setting Advanced Power Management (APM) levels
- Setting DMA mode
- Enabling or disabling read/write caching
- Using Secure Erase functionality
- Benchmarking disk performance