status fvdw-sl firmware development lacie network space vs2

[fvdw]

status 18 juli 2011

A linux 2.6.33.1 kernel including kernel modules have been compiled succesfuly for the lacie network space vs2
A disk has been prepared to install the firmware and the device boots, procedure similar as we use for the nwsp vs1
8 partitions:
sda1 and sda2 containing the firmware and to be used for upgrade purposes
sda3 linux swap
sa4 extend partition containing sda5-sda8
sda5 containing nas database configuration file
sda6 containing the linucx kernel loaded at boot
sda7 root file system containing firmware
sda8 data partition containing all shares you make

test results you can see in the development forum
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=92

The firmware seems to run without problems, one thing to solve is the reboot command.

Attached a small video showing the web interface running on the lacie nwsp2, as the the newsp2 is more powerful then the nwsp1 the response is much quicker.

nwsp2-3-wmv.zip

Also up- and download speeds will be much faster, I achieve using Gigabit network speeds for download around 45 MB/s and upload 25 MB/s (for large files) thats about 5 to 7 times faster then on the nwsp1

[fvdw]

the reboot issue is solved, I found a way to manipulate the power button setting, now it reboot when using the reboot command and powers off when using a (software) power off command. Also it can be set to boot when power is connected without the need to push the back button for two seconds. This is good when you have a power failure, after power is restored it will boot automatically when power is restored.

So everything is in principle available to be able to make a firmware release. That will not be in the coming weeks but probably in august, sorry to keep you waiting but summer also asks for other activities :mrgreen:

[fvdw]

19 august 2011

It is finally ready and I can release the first version of the firmware fo use on the lacie network space 2. (nwsp2) :D :mrgreen:
It is running now for some weeks without a problem on my nwsp2 so I consider it save to release it as "beta" version. For testing by others to see if there are still any bugs.

See firmware and howto guides topic of the forum, there are the files ready for download.

Please share your experiences with us when having installed it.
It will help us to improve the firmware further and it can be useful for others
thks

--edit
PS Remark: when you have used the shutdown or reboot command in the web interface of the fvdw-sl firmware on the nwsp2 the power up method of the nwsp2 will change. When connecting power it will directly continue with booting no need any more to press and hold the button on the back for 2 sec to enable boot. This change was necessary to make normal linux shutdown and reboot commands work. Also I think it is good that it boots automatically after a power failure as you are not always at home to fire it up again after a power failure. When using the standby command in the fvdw-sl web interface the nwsp2 will switch off with the power still connected, it can be started again by simply pressing and releasing the button on the back. No need to disconnect/reconnect power. The original behavior can be restored, that option will be included in one of the next releases

[NasaMan]

Hi fvdw this is awesome :) I think about installing your firmware because I want a better user management (read write access). Does your fw supports this? Is it still possible to plug in my printer to the usb port? So did you integrated a print server?
Thanks a lot for your work!!!

[fvdw]

Hi Nasaman

yes you can set read or write rights per user for each share (folder) you define. As well for samba server as the ftp server.That was one of the main reasons to develop this firmware.
It does has the usb print server in the kernel as originally I made it for the lacacie nwsp1 and philips spd8020, those devices have a very small system memory. To keep the kernel small drivers like usb printer support are integrated as kernel modules that can be loaded after booting for those that wish to do so. The networkspace 2 has plenty of memory and it should be no problem to use it as a print server.
The usb printer support is compiled as a module (usblp.ko) and can be loaded using the insmod command. However I never tried it myself. Attached the kernel module to enabe usb printer support on the nwsp2. I have no idea if any more drivers must be loaded for a specific printer.

usblp.zip

[guynux]

Hi,
I successfully installed your firmware following your excellent HOWTO.
All is working fine with the only tested minidlna, ftp server, ssh server.
My only problem is the shutdown as I do'nt want to power on my linux box only for shutdown my vs2

the reboot issue is solved, I found a way to manipulate the power button setting, now it reboot when using the reboot command and powers off when using a (software) power off command. Also it can be set to boot when power is connected without the need to push the back button for two seconds. This is good when you have a power failure, after power is restored it will boot automatically when power is restored.

As I understand, the back button is not useful for the boot process (as it boots with power on). So, is it possible to make the back button only shutdown ? As you know a good shutdown is never made with a power off.
Thanks a lot

[fvdw]

need to lock at that, most nas devices are on place that a remote switch off using the web interface is more convenient. But I can imagine you also would like to use the push button. I will see if it can be done.

[fvdw]

good news guynux, I can make the button on the back work to let it poweroff or reboot.
I made a program that monitors if the button on the back is pressed and released.
It will run as a daemon in the background as long as the firmware is up and running.
I will make it that the nwsp2 will poweroff if you press and hold it for 5 seconds and then release it again. (same as on the original lacie firmware)
And that it will reboot if you pressing and holding it for 1 second but less then 5 seconds and then release it will cause a reboot.
Needles to say that this will be the function of the button when the nwsp2 is running. When it is powered off pressing and releasing the button will bring it back to live again, or when unplugging and connecting the electrical power again.

It will be included in the next release

[steean]

once you've prepared a hard drive and got it up and running, can you easily update or will you have to wipe the entire drive again?

[Jocko]

From version 9, The LACIE NAS updates are now similar to the procedure used for SPD8020: copy a disk image on the system partitions.

UpdateLacieMenu.jpg

The update is then simple and easy by using a specific menu where you must download the update file.