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The SlugOS (DebianSlug, OpenSlug) BinaryCurrent Version: 3.10 IntroductionThe binary is intended to be loaded ('flashed') into the flash ROM of a supported device. The original target for SlugOS is the LinkSys NSLU2, but more experienced users might flash one of the following devices: SlugOS will not work on anything else. Because the binary flash image only contains a minimal set of programs necessary to boot SlugOS, one of the following devices is needed in order to install packages onto the device and make SlugOS useful:
NOTE: Flashing the ROM of an NSLU2 removes the original Linksys supported code. Data on any hard disk or flash disk is retained, unchanged, but programs on the disk from other distributions (such as UnSlung) will almost certainly not be usable after the change. NOTE: Synology DS101: By 13 Jun 2006, Flash ROM isn't supported, so writing a permanent kernel and root fs is currently not possible. However, user may try to boot the DS101 with a new kernel by uploading it to the RedBoot over serial cable or from a tftp-server on every boot. NOTE: If you are upgrading from a previous version of SlugOS please refer to: UpgradingOpenSlugToANewRelease. Available packagesSlugOS is built using the OpenEmbedded build system. This system currently includes over 1000 separate packages of which approximately 100 are known to build for SlugOS and are included in the SlugOS feeds. Please note that many packages have not been fully tested, so if you encounter any problems, please report them to the custom firmware mailing list. The SlugOS operating systemSlugOS 3.10 is based on Linux 2.6.16. It is a 'regular' Linux operating system and should be familiar territory for anyone who has used any similar operating system. It is a full Linux operating system. You should either be confident that you can set up such an operating system or be prepared to spend some time learning. This wiki does not contain enough to teach you how to set up the operating system. Prerequisites
Windows
Linux
Mac OS X
Preparing the NSLU2If your NSLU2 is already in use on a network the basic network settings will be retained. The basic network settings are:
If you have not used the NSLU2 you may find it convenient to use the Linksys setup software to initialize the above information and to verify that the machine is working correctly. Linksys technical support will be unable to help you once you have flashed SlugOS. If you flash a machine which has not been used before the network setup will be as follows:
If you have a DHCP server running, for instance a router, you can determine the assigned IP address from its DHCP clients table. Flashing the NSLU2
NOTE: Slugs produced October 2006 or later will not display a red status LED color, but instead a darker orange nuance, which may not be clearly distinguishable depending on the light conditions. Carrying out the procedure in a darkened room makes it easier to tell when the light changes. The procedure to enter the upgrade mode is just the same as described above, but you have to eye the status LED more carefully to get the right moment for releasing the reset button. NOTE: If you decide not to flash the image the NSLU2 can be rebooted by disconnecting the power. If the ready/status LED does not turn green after step (4) it will remain red for several seconds then flash amber. This happens if you do not release the reset button in time - pull the power, reconnect it and repeat from step (2). NOTE: Once the NSLU2 is in upgrade mode it will remain in this state until either the power is disconnected or a new image has been flashed. If the flash fails the NSLU2 will (eventually) return to upgrade mode - the flash can be retried from UpSlug2 or the Sercomm utilty. NOTE: You can monitor the progress of the flash by watching your UpSlug2 session. You can also keep an eye on the Ethernet led on the NSLU2 - any activity you see is the transmission of the binary. NOTE: If you run this tool over wifi and it fails with the error "no NSLU2 machines found in upgrade mode" then try connecting to the network with a wire. After Flashing / Initialization
After InitializationAfter the initialization you can use ipkg to download and install software. NOTE: If you want to serve the NSLU2's disks to a Windows network, you'll want to install and configure Samba by following the instructions at GettingStartedWithSamba. NOTE: If you want to serve NFS from the slug follow the instructions at InstallNFS. |