User profile for user: ispcolohost
ispcolohost Author
User level: Level 1
25 points

Connect USB drive (Aegis SecureKey / HFS )?

Everyone, I have a Verizon-based iPad Air 2 that I just bought, coming over from several Android-based tablets. The two things I really use my tablet for are an SSH client, which I've satisfied with the excellent "Prompt" app, and reading a USB drive that holds data I need in emergencies. I keep the data on an Aegis Secure Key encrypted USB drive in text files. I would have never expected this to be an issue, but after digging around online for a Lightning to female USB adapter, I'm starting to worry my expectations for something so basic are not going to be met. I've found things suggesting nearly any USB drive that has lights, or that has a capacity greater than 100 MB is going to produce a 'requires too much power' message. I've found conflicting posts about whether the iPad can read drives that are formatted in HFS. I've found conflicting posts about whether an iPad can read arbitrary files on a USB drive; some things I've read suggest it can only import photos and videos and that you don't actually get to see files of your choice.


The HFS thing is not a huge deal; I can reformat the drive in FAT if I had to, but obviously the power question is a concern, as is the ability to open text files. Can anyone tell me if the latest iPad is likely to not work for my scenario? Any alternative suggestions? I really do not want to keep the files in question unencrypted on the iPad, nor do I want them in any cloud or any other place I do not have complete control over them.


Thanks!

iPad Air, iOS 8.3, Air 2

Posted on Jun 19, 2015 10:24 AM

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6 replies
User profile for user: sparksd
sparksd
User level: Level 1
90 points

Jun 19, 2015 10:52 AM in response to ispcolohost

I'm also recently new to Apple products, having been an (advanced) Android user for many years. For USB device access I am using a wireless filehub that I bought for my Android devices a while back that works great with my Air 2:


http://www.amazon.com/RAVPower%C2%AE-FileHub-Wireless-3000mAh-Battery/dp/B00INMB 23Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434736100&sr=8-1&keywords=file+hub&pebp=143473610535 4&perid=1P5N8E0QRQ1SFQ1NX2SR


As for direct USB connection, there are a couple of options here:


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OGTJU16/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&coli d=3GJZUFCW99ZCF&coliid=I32YG2XE2VAV0G


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UBGU4WM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&coli d=3GJZUFCW99ZCF&coliid=I3ITI4W8LCJ3GJ&psc=1

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User profile for user: ispcolohost
ispcolohost Author
User level: Level 1
25 points

Jun 19, 2015 11:28 AM in response to sparksd

Thanks for the reply; that is interesting, I had not heard of a wifi file share before, it looks like a great idea. Does it support encrypted wifi options like WPA2? I wouldn't want the files I keep on my encrypted USB going unencrypted across the air to my tablet since that would defeat the purpose of encrypting them and not keeping them on the tablet.


I did a chat with Apple support and did confirm my fear; the iPad cannot read arbitrary files off of physically connected media. It is only able to import/export pictures and videos, so even if I had the right type of connection to get a USB drive attached, I wouldn't be able to just open and view a text file.

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User profile for user: Courcoul
Courcoul
User level: Level 6
18,732 points

Jun 19, 2015 11:35 AM in response to ispcolohost

Since the current iOS data model does not have a user-accessible filesystem (and thus files), support is limited (standard iOS apps) or haphazard (3rd-party apps that do whatever they are allowed). To the best of my knowledge, only official support of files per se is for cameras when plugged thru the official dongle(s), enabling exchanges of image files between the two devices. For the rest it is a wild chance that might work, but may fail at the next iOS iteration, at least with iOS 8.


From what I gathered in the iOS 9 presentation during the WWDC keynote, there appears to be hope with that up and coming version, due out in the Fall. But until it is out we won't know for sure unless Apple explicitly states it. Anybody with their grubby little fingers on that system right now is a Developer, bound by an NDA to keep quiet.

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User profile for user: ispcolohost
ispcolohost Author
User level: Level 1
25 points

Jun 19, 2015 12:12 PM in response to sparksd

Sounds like a great solution then. The iPad is a cell version so I won't have to worry about bridged internet through the RAVPower causing me any security concerns, and the USB drive I use (Aegis Secure Key http://amzn.to/1LkhQqG) handles the encryption internally. I enter a 15-digit (can be as short as 8) PIN before plugging it into a socket, and it decrypts in the middle. If it's stolen or lost, the data is not recoverable and ten bad PIN entries cause it to erase itself. So I'll just make sure to use only WPA2 with the RAVPower, enter my pin, plug the drive in, then I can get at files and turn it all back off.


Is there a procedure to dismount the RAV when you're done so nothing gets corrupted? Since I've never mounted any drive from iPad I'm not familiar with the process; maybe an 'eject' button like on Mac desktop?

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Connect USB drive (Aegis SecureKey / HFS )?

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