In the past, several SSD manufacturers had bugs in their firmwares. So to be sure that I can fix such issues with a newly bought SSD, I need some secure (and somewhat easy) way of updating the firmware.
I don’t need to do the update on my own Linux installation. A bootable ISO would be fine, too.
Which manufacturer has some well supported way of updating SSD firmware, even if I don’t have any Windows installations left?
I never had any issues with any SSD I ever bought in my life.
Just buy whatever you like and install it. You’re done. Don’t overthink everything.
I once dropped a SATA SSD on my foot while installing it and now I only use M2 SSD in case it happens again.
I’ve been dealing with SSDs since the early days of Windows XP.
A lot of drives have had a lot of problems.
Like, the most recent I have dealt with was with Samsung 980 SSDs and the critical flaw in their firmware.
That wasn’t exclusive to Windows though
I’m using WD. No issues.
How do you update firmware on this SSD?
On their site it says you need Western Digital Dashboard, which requires windows. I’m not sure/haven’t bothered myself as of now on Linux.
I think some of my units are on the ‘lgtm’ update plan too. ;-)
Maybe Im just lucky, bought tens of SSDs and never had problems like that. Well many of them failed including samsung evo, so I guess its just important to have backup, warranty and luck
Have a ready Qemu image of a Windows install. Have a live distro that has (or can install to RAM) Qemu. Boot Windows using Qemu in the live environment, and VFIO-passthrough your NVME as a PCI device. Install and run the official Windows-based update tool, which now has raw access to the SSD.
At least that’s what I’m doing for my WD.
Thanks. Nice to know. So I’ll not get a WD, then.
I’ll never buy Western Digital. I’ve given them too many chances and owned many over the last 20 years and they consistently fail. Even the more expensive ones I’ve owned had something stop working in them.
I’m aware I’m jinxing myself when I suggest that I’ve had very different experience. We’re mostly WDReds though.
To each their own.
I thought that the trick with exposing the raw hardware to a VM was the coolest thing ever, since it negates this entire “do their special tools support Linux” issue. And you do it once every 6 months, maybe 4 times in total, until releases taper off.
But I don’t want to deal with Windows at all. Something like this may be acceptable for existing “pre Linux” hardware to have a solution after migration.
But I need new hardware in an environment where no Windows is left.
Some SSDs have fwupd support, but I’m not aware of a comprehensive list of them. I know some Samsung drives will get firmware updates automatically that way on Linux, but I can’t think of any others off the top of my head.
Any SSD manufactures will fine as long you remember to choose SSD with SLC type for fastest, more durable, less error-prone, and security integration (on this link for further information). With the longest guarantee from the manufactures too will be great for you in long term usage.
For secure thing, SLC is the best option you have as you can see this video from this source that I found week ago. SSD with SLC type will maximize your productivity than other types, while also keep your privacy when you want sell them in the future.
I know the sources I’ll give to you are from 2011/13 research like this comment. But as far as I know, this sources are the best explanation that give me deep understanding on how SSD works, rather than just articles or simple explanation things from manufactures with no deep explanation how they methods works. It’s up to you to in the end…
Get one with OPALv2 support
I know Micron Storage Executive can run in Ubuntu Live USB, too bad Micron/Crucial doesn’t have attractive offering where I live.
