In the meantime I checked the mentioned Linux stations. These are embeddded Linux based NAS stations. So busybox, smartctl not by default on-board. I see it wont be straight forward to use them for SMART tests and queries.
How about SMART via Thunderbolt?
One could connect these SATA III 2.5 inch drives to Mac via Thunderbolt docking station or SATA III to Thunderbolt adapter cable. However, does SATA via Thunderbolt support SMART interface?
One saw in web information that SMART via USB is not straightforward as well. It is not obvious all usb sata brigdes make SMAT possible. So there are usb external devices for them SMART is not possible.
I guess one made in the past a try to do SMART on usb external drive using WDC tool.
The results were the WDC tool did not recognize any present WDC drive in the system and completed own operation.
For your convinience the aimed goal summarized below.
2.5 inch WDC hdd SATA III drives can connect to the stations in possession only as external device.
No internal built-in by attaching to motherboard is possible.
Available stations, with preferencing as shown, are: Embedded Linux based on busybox and USB 3.0 and eSATA ports,
iMacs with USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt ports, Windows earlier than 7 with USB 2.0 and eSATA ports, Windows 7 as vitual machine on mentioned iMac hosts.
Goal is to periodically check the SMART data and carry out SMART tests.
