Area of

File Systems, System drivers (System Software)

Work
Title of
Linux File System Viewer for Windows
Project
Division CMPN-1
ROLL
NAME EMAIL ID MOBILE
NO
jdhv.sandesh@gmail.
Sandesh Jadhav 07-219 9987433435
Project com
Group raje.akshay@gmail.co
AkshayRaje 07-248 9987107895
m
Piyush Kumar piyush.221189@gmail
07-254 9890200092
Singh .com
Guide Ms. Rinku Shah
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:
Microsoft Windows does not provide its users the facility to detect and view their
files in a Linux partition on a dual boot system. Over the years, people have
created applications and drivers to enable Windows users to utilise their Linux
partition as any other logical partition in their hard drive. Currently, there are
only 4 applications which enable users to detect their Linux partitions (formatted
in ext2/ext3/ext4 file system) and which allows them a read only access.
Excluding one, all others are closed-source and information regarding their
product development is scarce.

In view of this, an installable file system driver which lets Windows use the Linux
partition as any other logical partition is proposed. It will allow users a read-write
access to their partitions formatted in ext2/ext3/ext4 without a need for a
different file explorer or any application. Henceforth, Windows users will not have
to restart their machines and boot in Linux to view their files in the
ext2/ext3/ext4 partitions.

Another aspect of the proposed driver is that, it will allow users to format their
USB mass storage devices/ Pen Drives in ext2 file system and carry their
important documents safely. Most pen drives are prone to infection from
common viruses, especially when connected to multiple infected systems while
working in an organisation. Formatting the pen drive in ext2/ext3/ext4 not only
gives a layer of protection but also safeguards the data from being corrupted.

Hence, the main objective of the project is to enable windows users to view their
Linux partitions formatted in ext2/ext3/ext4 and let users format their USB mass
storage devices in ext2 to enable data protection.

INTERFACES:
Since, the aim of the project is to develop an installable system driver which lets
Windows users view and use their Linux partitions in a Windows Explorer, there
is minimal amount of programming for the interface.

The only interfaces developed will be:

=> for the messages asking users permission to install the above mentioned
driver

=> for authenticating the user (in the case of a user attempting to view files in a
USB mass storage device formatted in ext2/ext3/ext4).

FUNCTIONALITY:
1. An installable file system driver which lets Windows use the Linux partition
as any other logical partition.

2. Read-Write access to the user for the Linux partitions.

1
 3. Allow users to format their USB mass storage devices/ pen drives in ext2
file system and carry their important documents safely.

4. Password protection for installing the system driver from the USB device
formatted in ext2.

5. Allowing the user to use Windows Explorer to browse the Linux partitions.

6. Files in the Linux partitions should be opened by default programs in

Windows.

APPLICABILITY:
Users with a dual boot machine with Windows and Linux can easily view and
transfer their documents from Linux partitions into Windows without rebooting
their machine in Linux. Users can also carry their data in USB storage devices
formatted in ext2 to ensure data integrity as well as data security.

PLATFORM:
The development and deployment of the project will be carried out on Microsoft
Windows platform.

INFRASTRUCTURE:
1. Dual booting machine with Microsoft Windows and Linux.

2. Back-up for repairing and restoring changes made accidentally.

3. Pen Drive

TESTING:
Testing will be done in steps. Firstly, tests will be carried out to determine
whether the installed driver enables the users to detect the following:

1. Linux partition in the same hard drive as Windows.

2. Linux partition in different hard drives from Windows.

3. USB mass storage device / Pen drive formatted in ext2/ext/ext4 file

systems.

Secondly, the installed driver will be tested to see whether reading of different
files from Linux partitions and writing different files into those partitions is
carried out successfully.

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Finally, testing will be done to see whether the driver enables Windows to format
a USB mass storage device / pen drive in ext2 file system. Testing will also be
done to see whether the drivers are installed properly by auto-running the batch
files in the formatted device and also to check whether proper user
authentication is done.

TOOLS:
1. Code editor like Notepad++ for writing system drivers and coding in C++.

2. Microsoft Visual Studio for GUI development in C#, if there is a need for
GUI.

BACKEND:
The system driver that is to be developed is in itself the backend for this project.

FRONTEND:
Windows Explorer is the main front-end for enabling users to explore their Linux
partitions. Other front-ends include prompts asking the user’s permission to
install the drivers.

PROJECT PLAN:
1. Gathering information:

1.1 Study of Linux file systems.

1.2 Study of Windows NT file system.

1.3 Study of APIs for file sytems.

1.4 Study of System calls.

2. Development of the driver.

3. Development of supporting applications.

4. Testing the driver and the supporting applications.

5. Identifying and making any last minute changes in the project and adding
any extra features, if possible.

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
1. Windows NT File System Internals, Rajeev Nagar, Wiley Publications,
1997.

2. Microsoft Support website – www.support.microsoft.com

3. Notes on detecting USB devices in Windows from various sites like:

3
 www.codepeoject.com

www.computing.net

www.usbman.com

www.techarena.in

4. Linux File Systems, Moshe Bar, Tata McGraw-Hill Publications.

5. www.linuxmag.com for information about file systems in Linux.

6. www.linuxjournal.com

7. www.fs-driver.org