How to use the command 'udisksctl' (with examples)

udisksctl is a command-line utility that allows users to interact with the udisksd daemon to query, manage, and manipulate storage devices on their system. It provides a straightforward interface for managing disk drives, partitions, and other block devices without needing to delve directly into complex configurations or scripts. Users can perform tasks such as checking device status, fetching detailed device information, mounting or unmounting partitions, and monitoring for hardware events, all through simple commands.

Use case 1: Show high-level information about disk drives and block devices

Code:

udisksctl status

Motivation:

This command is useful when you want a quick overview of all the disk drives and block devices connected to your system. Whether you’re troubleshooting issues, performing routine checks, or simply curious about your system’s storage configuration, this command provides a concise summary of each storage device’s status, helping you identify potential issues or confirm normal operation.

Explanation:

• udisksctl: Invokes the udisksctl utility to interact with the udisksd daemon.
• status: Specifies the command to provide a summary view of all disk drives and block devices, showing details such as their availability, size, and current state.

Example Output:

MODEL       REVISION  SERIAL               DEVICE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
External_HD  1.0.0     AB1234567890SE1     sda
Internal_SD  2.5.1     ZY0987654321HF2     sdb

Use case 2: Show detailed information about a device

Code:

udisksctl info --block-device /dev/sdX

Motivation:

When you need more detailed and specific information about a particular storage device, such as its manufacturer, type, or current state, this command is invaluable. It helps in diagnosing issues, understanding device specifications, and confirming formalities like serial numbers for warranty claims or inventory management.

Explanation:

• udisksctl: Executes the udisksctl command-line tool.
• info: Instructs the utility to fetch detailed information.
• --block-device: An option indicating that the command should operate on a specific block device.
• /dev/sdX: A placeholder representing the device file for the particular storage device you’re interested in.

Example Output:

NativePath: /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.2/ata1/host0/target0:0:0/0:0:0:0/block/sda
Device: /dev/sda
Size: 500GB
PartitionTable: gpt
PartitionCount: 3

Use case 3: Show detailed information about a device partition

Code:

udisksctl info --block-device /dev/sdXN

Motivation:

Examining the attributes of specific partitions on a storage device becomes easy with this command. It’s especially beneficial when managing multiple partitions, setting up dual boots, or allocating space. Detailed information about partitions aids in understanding the layout and structure of your storage schema.

Explanation:

• Similar to the previous use case, with --block-device specifically referring to a partition.
• /dev/sdXN: Represents the specific partition number on the device of interest.

Example Output:

Device: /dev/sda1
UUID: abcd1234-5678-90ef-ghij-klmnopqrstuv
Type: ext4
MountPoints: /mnt/data
Flags: boot

Use case 4: Mount a device partition and print the mount point

Code:

udisksctl mount --block-device /dev/sdXN

Motivation:

Mounting partitions is a regular task when accessing files from removable drives, secondary partitions, or newly formatted storage. This command simplifies the mounting process by automating it and immediately displaying the mount point for ease of access.

Explanation:

• mount: Directs udisksctl to mount the specified block device.
• --block-device: Specifies which partition you want to mount.
• /dev/sdXN: Identifies the partition that requires mounting.

Example Output:

Mounted /dev/sda1 at /media/user/sda1

Use case 5: Unmount a device partition

Code:

udisksctl unmount --block-device /dev/sdXN

Motivation:

Safe removal of drives is crucial to prevent data loss, especially with removable storage. Using this command ensures that all pending read/writes are completed before unmounting the device, safeguarding your data and preventing corruption.

Explanation:

• unmount: Orders udisksctl to safely unmount the specified block device.
• --block-device: Mentions the specific partition to unmount.
• /dev/sdXN: Represents the target partition to be unmounted.

Example Output:

Unmounted /dev/sda1

Use case 6: Monitor the daemon for events

Code:

udisksctl monitor

Motivation:

Continuous monitoring of storage events is essential for systems that rely on dynamic storage changes, like automatic backups or security setups. This command provides real-time feedback on device additions, removals, and state changes, enabling automated responses or manual intervention as needed.

Explanation:

• monitor: Tells udisksctl to listen for and display events concerning the device’s state and status changes.

Example Output:

Monitoring the udisks daemon. Press Ctrl+C to stop.
Event: Added /dev/sdc1
Event: Removed /dev/sdb1

Conclusion:

udisksctl serves as a powerful yet user-friendly tool for managing and interacting with storage devices on Linux systems. From basic status checks to detailed device inquiries and dynamic event monitoring, it streamlines storage management tasks, promoting seamless and efficient workflows. Each use case presented highlights the versatility and functionality of udisksctl, making it an indispensable utility for both novice and advanced users.