Booting the firmware from a USB Key??!??? Possible? or not

[raidsm]

Hi all!

I may have a funny question BUT , as my NS2 is used only for service purposes , would it be possible to boot the firmware from a USB key inserted in the front USB port?

I know, I could replace the hard drive for a SSD one (expensive) , I also looked for a SATA male to USB female without any luck. It may sound a bit crazy but who doesn't have a spare usb key with some GB to spare?

It should be plenty fast (I know it's only usb2 but...) can store relatively enough files if you use an old 8Gb -16gb usb key , you can also unscrew the front usb port and "glue" it with the usb key inside the enclosure, wouldn't make any noise , low power req. and would be easy as hell to make a complete backup on the nas. (unplug the usb , make a complete backup on the computer, put it back...change the firmware (key) on the fly for testing purposes :shocked

I'm not asking to someone the long method of doing so , I'm just asking if it's possible or not to do so.

It's should make an interesting project! My nas is mainly used for some storage , minidlna , transmission , wordpress server. I won't store any critical data I prefer my Timecapsule to do so as I can just turn off the NAS if i just don't use the NS2 service.

Let me know your feeling about this!

[fvdw]

in principle it could be done, you will need to adapt the bootloader that it loads the kernel and root file system from usb. Further adaptations will be necessary in the firmware itself. But what would be the advantage ?

[raidsm]

here's my setup.

I have my trusty airport time capsule AC (wich is really great BTW). Fast, reliable, hard disk stops spinning as soon as I finish accessing the hard drive , silent , power consumption extra low , it's almost perfect in all the way BUT a bit limited in feature.

I recycled my old network space 2 almost purely as a server. not a file server. Why? As it will be exposed on the web , I want be able to turn it off at my will without loosing access to my files, the hard disk of the ns2 is noisy as hell , fear of being hack (as exposed on the web ) etc...

I was thinking of buying a small SSD (64gb) just enough to run fvdw and some service like my wordpress server. I already experienced a linux live on a usb key and was running smoothly so I got the idea of running the NS2 on a usb key. Who doesn't have a 8 or 16GB lying around ?

All in all , unfortunately I myself, don't think it's worth the effort to make all this. I was just curious. Maybe I'm the only one who finds this interesting, I would surely used the fvdw on the usbkey if it was easy but , too much effort as I understand , would be necessary to run it on a usb key and a small sad @ 50$ us would be far less complicated.

If somebody was interesting or has already did this on the fvdw firmware , I would be interested but as I understand , my situation is not that common and I will surely be one of the few using this solution.

As a geek that don't know much in linux but like to learn , I was mostly a curiosity question.

thanks for your reply! a learned as I already known that it's complicated and maybe not worth it ;)

[nutterts]

I already known that it's complicated and maybe not worth it ;)

Yeah it complicated but I can see why it would of worth to you. But there are a two quick fixes that should get the job done with way less pain, struggle and no risk at all.

1) RaspberryPi model 2b
I think ~50USD with case and powersupply. Unless I'm mistaken there is a fvdw-sl port for it.
Pros: Quad core ARMv7 vs. a single ARMv5 in the NS2. 1GB vs 256MB. Has a GPU
Cons: USB is way much slower then even using the slowest SATA mechanical drive. No support for acting as a USB device.

2) SSD
Put an SSD in your NS2. They're silent. :)
Cons: SSD is expensive per GB
Pros: Quick and simple solution.

The solution you don't want to do is:
- Buy serial-ttl-usb converter
- Open up the NS2 and find the serial pins
- Flash a mainline uboot
- Pray that you don't turn your NS2 in a shining pretty black brick.
- Change and save a uboot envoirnment that boots from usb
- Create a USB stick in a way that fvdw-sl will work with it
- Port fvdw-sl to your custom solution.

Sometimes.... there are easier ways to get what you want.
I hope this helps you..