Thecus N2100: Testing a kernel prior flashing

Posted by coldtobi | 17 Apr, 2008, 23:56

Update July 2009: Please see here for addtional informations.

Occasionally there is a new kernel out for the Thecus N2100, debian flavoured.

And because of personal experience, it is good to test it before flashing it to the embedded flash.
In my case, I needed that one time, as the new kernel would not boot for whatever reason.
The trick is, that you can load the kernel into RAM and execute it from there.

Of course, you can also use it to "test" the Debian installer, before actually overwriting the original firmware.
(BTW, if you only want to test a newly created RAM disk, this is also like testing a kernel -- the RAM disk would
be also flashed, so you can test your modification without any risk, if you run the it "out of RAM"

As another benefit -- if you decided not to use debian but the stock firmware -- this might become handy if you need a
rescue system. Yes, you could use the debian installer also for a rescue enviroment, and as thecus is "only" using Linux,
there are not problems to be expected.

Last but not least, in the unlikely event that you didn't like the Debian experience you can upload the original firmware back into
the Thecus.

Enough talking, Lets get started!

(Please note, that I assume some Unix knowledge in this article. I do not advise Linux novices to install debian on their NAS. For completeness, if this screws it up, this is your problem not mine, as this is soley your responsibility.)

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Installing Debian on the Thecus N2100 -- PART 3 -- Installing Debian

Posted by coldtobi | 19 Feb, 2008, 01:21

Unfortuantly, the last time was very busy, so I simply did not find the time to continue with this HOWTO. Well, it is still tight, but today I want spend some minutes in completing at least the second part. Before I go forward learning phyton as I might have use for it in the NAS project...

Just  repeating my self, please note, that this VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY. So the usual disclaimer apply: You brick, you repair it. I do not recommend installing linux on the box, if you are not sure you can handle it. Linux requires more hand-on than the GUI -- you won't have a GUI anyway -- but on the other side, it reveals the real power.

Table of Contens

  1. Part 1: Get Prepared
  2. Part 2: Installing the Installer
  3. Part 3: Installing Debian I  (start the installer and configure RAID) -- this article
  4. Part 4: Installing Debian II
  5. Part 5: Fine tuning after the installation

 

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Python Ebook

Posted by coldtobi | 18 Feb, 2008, 00:10

In case, you want to take a look into python, here's a nice ebook, licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License

 http://diveintopython.org/

The book is availaible in several languages:

  • Italian
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Chinese
  • Korean
  • Russian

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Installing Debian on the Thecus N2100 -- PART 2 -- Installing the Installer

Posted by coldtobi | 16 Feb, 2008, 20:03

Unfortunately, the last time was very busy, so I simply did not find the time to continue with this HOW-TO. Well, it is still tight, but today I want spend some minutes in completing at least the second part. Before I go forward learning python as I might have use for it in the NAS project...

Just  repeating my self, please note, that this VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY. So the usual disclaimer apply: You brick, you repair it. I do not recommend installing Linux on the box, if you are not sure you can handle it. Linux requires more hand-on than the GUI -- you won't have a GUI anyway -- but on the other side, it reveals the real power.

Table of Contents

  1. Part 1: Get Prepared
  2. Part 2: Installing the Installer (this article)
  3. Part 3: Installing Debian I (start the installer and configure RAID)
  4. Part 4: Installing Debian II
  5. Part 5: Fine tuning after the installation
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Installing Debian on the Thecus N2100 -- PART 1 -- Preparation for install

Posted by coldtobi | 2 Feb, 2008, 15:52

As you know, I bought myself a Thecus NAS 2100, with the intent to install debian on it and use it as an homer server solution.  This article -- or better articles -- will focus how to install debian on the box.

Please note, that this VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY, so the usual disclaimer applies: You brick it, you repair it. I do not recommend to install Linux on the box, if you are not sure you can handle it. Linux requires more hands-on than the GUI -- you won't have a GUI anyway -- but reveals the real power. With power comes responsibility.

The motivation why to install Linux lays on the hand: The Thecus is more a home server than "only" a NAS. Therefore my NAS will have to do some more duties than just to store data. Actually, all of them are related to "data storage", but not everything can be done with the "plain" firmware.

As an example, I am planning to use it as an dedicated backup server, a server hosting my mail system and of course as an multimedia server for streaming my music everywhere I want it, not bowing before the ITunes restrictions.

But as the services will surely adapt to my needs, I will focus on them later in dedicated articles.

Okay, lets get started after the "read more" line. (if you at the main page of my blog)

Table of Contens

  1. Part 1: Get Prepared (this article)
  2. Part 2: Installing the Installer.
  3. Part 3: Installing Debian I (start the installer and configure RAID)
  4. Part 4: Installing Debian II
  5. Part 5: Fine tuning after the installation
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Linus about "const pointers"

Posted by coldtobi | 28 Jan, 2008, 21:00

The concept of the C-modifier "const" is often misunderstood. On a recent question one person asked why there was a "const" parameter to the kfree syscall.

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What NAS?

Posted by coldtobi | 10 Dec, 2007, 10:43

I am still looking after an not-too-expensive but "good" NAS for my home network. There are quite a lot of differnet models out there, that will meet my expectations. Unfortuantly, I could not find a comperasion that shows all the features I want.

In this article, I try to assemble such a comperasion. But be warned: Its matched to the needs and features I want, sorted to the importance:

  1. Supports at least Samba. FTP, rsync and other non-proprietary protocols a plus
  2. MUST NOT use NDAS
  3. Unit must use a "common" file system (I case of hardware-failure, I want my data back)
  4. Enclosure must have place for all hardrives
  5. RAID support. That is you need at least two physical hardrives.
  6. Power efficient (otherwise I could recycle an old computer)
  7. Silent
  8. Should be able to run custom software. So this usually narrows down to a linux driven box with any access to it (to enable ssh for example)
  9. Max. 350 € for 1 Terra Byte of gross storage.
  10. Not-too short on RAM

Models over 350 are not reviewed at all. This is simply over my budget I planing to spend. (Of course, if the manufacturer would send me a unit for review... ;-) )

I took a closer look at these candidates: Maxtor Shared Storage II,  Western Digital My Book World Edition II, and finally the Thecus N2100. 

[Updated Dec 10 2007] 

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