Bekijk de volledige versie : New Custom Firwmare...
When it will be made available?
For some time now I look at this forum in a dally basis... hopping, maybe is today, maybe is today.
It's true, I don't have the right knowledge to make my custom firmware, and fix all that bugs, not all maybe some ones, like BT that never worked with me, the harddisk always spinning, etc..
I'm selling it on Ebay
Thanks for your effort, in my name and in the name of all others like me, who don't have the right knowledge in UNIX/LINUX programing. ;)
When it we be available?
For some time now I look at this forum in a dally basis... hopping, maybe is today, maybe is today.
It's true, I don't have the right knowledge to make my custom firmware, and fix all that bugs, not all maybe some ones, like BT that never worked on me, the harddisk always spinning, etc..
I'm selling it on Ebay
Thanks for your effort, in my name and in the name of all others like me, who don't have the right knowledge in UNIX/LINUX programing. ;)
Sorry to hear your selling the wl 700GE, I understand your frustration, I myself have no clue how to use Linux/Unix and I was hoping a member who has knowledge would make a custom firmware that can be updated like the normal one but it hasn't happen.:(
I'm working on some of these items myself right now (HDD spinning down, custom startup scripts, running wl500 executables, etc.).
As of right now, I've gotten the software recompiled and reflashed and have cross compiled 'top' and 'bash' and they're both working.
As soon as I have confirmed I can spin down the HDD, I'll post an image. Give me a week or two, I think I'm pretty close.
- K.C.
I'm working on some of these items myself right now (HDD spinning down, custom startup scripts, running wl500 executables, etc.).
As of right now, I've gotten the software recompiled and reflashed and have cross compiled 'top' and 'bash' and they're both working.
As soon as I have confirmed I can spin down the HDD, I'll post an image. Give me a week or two, I think I'm pretty close.
- K.C.
That's good news. I'm gonna wait some days more, and see what happen. who have waited 6 months certainly can wait a few more days...:rolleyes:
By the way what port does the wl700 uses to connect to BT?
Thanks
Gregoire.Favre
05-11-2006, 09:03
The real solution would be to finish porting openwrt on our router : http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Asus/WL700gE
That way we'll could run plenty of apps without any problem :)
I managed to create password protected utelnetd shell witch uses web UI credentials. If I'll have enought time I'll add ssh daemon and ipkg and release an image.
That's good news. I'm gonna wait some days more, and see what happen. who have waited 6 months certainly can wait a few more days...:rolleyes:
By the way what port does the wl700 uses to connect to BT?
Thanks
I've confirmed spin down works OK. I can't claim credit, though. I found the solution on another posting... Once I permanently integrate the changes into an image, I'll post it.
Regarding the BT port, I really don't know.
- K.C.
The real solution would be to finish porting openwrt on our router : http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Asus/WL700gE
That way we'll could run plenty of apps without any problem :)
I agree that would be nice, but I'm not ready to completely ditch the Asus firmware just yet. A few tweaks will make me happy.
Someone else will have to pick this one up....
- K.C.
I managed to create password protected utelnetd shell witch uses web UI credentials. If I'll have enought time I'll add ssh daemon and ipkg and release an image.
Do you have the wl500 binaries working or are you compiling these yourself? The various libs are OK. I can link against them and run the resulting executables just fine.
However, trying to run one of the executables results in a 'not found' message. I'm assuming it's because they're linked against uClibc and not gcc. I tried adding the uClibc libs but it didn't make any difference.
- K.C.
I managed to create password protected utelnetd shell witch uses web UI credentials. If I'll have enought time I'll add ssh daemon and ipkg and release an image.
That is fantastic!
With an ssh daemon (perhaps dropbear? http://matt.ucc.asn.au/dropbear/dropbear.html) and ipkg, then other programs can be added at will.
It would be good also if you can include the solution for HDD spindown.
#####
killall -STOP watchdog
mount -o remount,noatime,nodiratime /dev/se/2 /shares/MYVOLUME1
hdparm -S 50 /dev/ide/host2/bus0/target0/lun0/disc
####
This was suggested by this post:
http://wl500g.info/showpost.php?p=39213&postcount=5
If all that works, the only remaining problem is the weak bitorrent client.
Perhaps the enhanced ctorrent? http://www.rahul.net/dholmes/ctorrent/
for which source is available?
That is fantastic!
With an ssh daemon (perhaps dropbear? http://matt.ucc.asn.au/dropbear/dropbear.html) and ipkg, then other programs can be added at will.
It would be good also if you can include the solution for HDD spindown.
#####
killall -STOP watchdog
mount -o remount,noatime,nodiratime /dev/se/2 /shares/MYVOLUME1
hdparm -S 50 /dev/ide/host2/bus0/target0/lun0/disc
####
This was suggested by this post:
http://wl500g.info/showpost.php?p=39213&postcount=5
If all that works, the only remaining problem is the weak bitorrent client.
Perhaps the enhanced ctorrent? http://www.rahul.net/dholmes/ctorrent/
for which source is available?
I'm thinking to incude only:
1) enable password protected telnet from web UI
2) boot script and tutorial how to enable ipkg.
By implementing that all other things can be set up by ipkg (including dropbear).
but any suggestions are welcome.
LeperKing
06-11-2006, 09:45
I'm thinking to incude only:
1) enable password protected telnet from web UI
2) boot script and tutorial how to enable ipkg.
By implementing that all other things can be set up by ipkg (including dropbear).
but any suggestions are welcome.
I think this is the best way, keep it simple and allow people to experiment according to their personal preference. I really looking forward to seeing this.
Two questions...
1) As a precaution do we have a robust way of debricking the 700gE in case of any problems?
2) Is the data eg music videos at risk when we switch to the custom firmware I 'm guessing no, but I'd like to be sure!
LK
MaxCorvette
06-11-2006, 10:23
I'm very happy to read that there is progress with this routers firmware.
I wish I was able to do Linux, but I only program in Visual Basic so I can't help...
I like the concept of the Asus router but the bad torrent client and the reiserfs wasn't the best [maybe worst] choice Asus could make I think.
I would already be happy with a better torrent client ;)
keep up the good work.
The openWRT project would be nice, but it almost looks like there is no progress on the WL-700 router. Is the hardware so much different then the other broadcom routers?
The limitation of the NVRAM [2MB?] shouldn't be a problem since there is a hdd to boot from, at least that is my simple thought :)
I've confirmed spin down works OK. I can't claim credit, though. I found the solution on another posting... Once I permanently integrate the changes into an image, I'll post it.
Regarding the BT port, I really don't know.
- K.C.
Ok, thank you very much.
Can you post the image file?
JR
isn't it possible to format the disk to ext3 or something?
or devide the disk in 2 partitions, one say 100mb reiser fs for the software and stuff, and the rest as ext3 for downloading and file storage.
that would eliminate the 2gb bug right?
I don't have much experience with linux, but I think it's very interesting and i want to learn to make firmware for devices as the wl700gE.
another idea, how about a 2.6 kernel?
I don't own a 700gE yet, but i think it's a cool gadget, so i might buy it in the near future
fireflash
06-11-2006, 23:35
I managed to create password protected utelnetd shell witch uses web UI credentials. If I'll have enought time I'll add ssh daemon and ipkg and release an image.
I have an older version of ipkg running right now (the old script-based version). Took a few tweaks to dance around the router's limitations and cramfs problems, but it's working. Unfortunately the one pkg I tried, the enhanced-ctorrent client compiled for the WL500g refused to run after it was unpacked. Installed great, but I think what it was compiled for and what I'm trying to run it on are too different and not compatible enough.
Why couldn't ASUS just take the 500g and slap a HD and BT client in it and call it a day? :)
I'm thinking to incude only:
1) enable password protected telnet from web UI
2) boot script and tutorial how to enable ipkg.
By implementing that all other things can be set up by ipkg (including dropbear).
but any suggestions are welcome.
That's a good idea. I initially thought to do the same thing.
Unfortunately, after manually unpacking and installing a few ipkgs, I was unable to get the mipsel binaries (i.e. from the unslung project) to execute on my box. I only get a "not found" message when trying to execute them.
The libs are OK. I can compile against them and the resulting binaries work. I think it's because the pre-compiled binaries are linked against uClibc and the routers toolset is gcc.
If you find a repository of working binary packages, please let us know where they are.
- K.C.
I was unable to get the mipsel binaries (i.e. from the unslung project) to execute on my box. I only get a "not found" message when trying to execute them.
that's why I arised a question about shell: http://wl500g.info/showthread.php?t=6990
Openmss runs ipkg packages. I doubt that they recompiled a lot. However we should as them hod did they manage to implement it?!
Packages from http://ipkg.nslu2-linux.org/feeds/optware/oleg/cross/stable/ should run on wl700ge. Install uclibc package first, then wget and ipkg.
Packages from http://ipkg.nslu2-linux.org/feeds/optware/oleg/cross/stable/ should run on wl700ge. Install uclibc package first, then wget and ipkg.
Thanks, I'll try this aproach. However I do not see that Oleg's firmware adds this package. Is it inculded in wl500g GPL source already?
If you find a repository of working binary packages, please let us know where they are.
- K.C.
According to the first post on this thread on OpenWRT froum ...
http://forum.openwrt.org/viewtopic.php?id=4883
"As far as I can tell, the firmware contains 3 sections, kernel, mini root, real root. kernel and mini root will be written to flash (2MB) real root system will be written to the HD. It looks very like what is described here http://www.openmss.org/Hardware/MssExtractFirmware (as they have the same CPU and design)."
... the WL 700gE has the same hardware & firmware structure as the Maxtor Shared Storage device.
Like this: http://www.openmss.org/Hardware/HomePage
Hardware
* CPU: BCM4780 300 MHz MIPS32 Network-Attached Storage Processor
* Memory: 32MB (2 x MT 46V8M16 - 8Mx16)
* Flash: 2MB (ST M29W160EB - 16Mb)
* USB Controller: VT6212 4-port USB 2.0 Host Controller
* IDE Controller: ATP865 PCI Ultra ATA133 IDE Chip
* PHY: BCM5241 - 10/100BASE-TX Single-Channel Tranceiver
* Fan: Sunon MagLev Fan KDE503PEV3-8 - 30×30×6mm 5V Fan
TTL level serial port (J10):
1 - +3v
2 - RX
3 - TX
4 - GND
If all of this is in fact the case, then that suggests that working packages might be obtained from here:
http://www.openmss.org/Packages/Packages
Current experimental packages on ipkg server:
683066 Jan 7 2006 busybox_1.0-8_mipsel.ipk
297270 Oct 29 2005 ctorrent_1.3.4-dnh1-1_mipsel.ipk
1910958 Jul 24 2005 dropbear_0.46-4_mipsel.ipk
278442 Sep 28 2005 hddtemp_0.3-beta14_mipsel.ipk
222426 Oct 2 19:00 kissd_0.12-1_mipsel.ipk
1014728 Oct 17 09:18 kissd_0.9-1_mipsel.ipk
313788 Jul 24 2005 lsof_4.75-1_mipsel.ipk
351948 Jul 24 2005 ncftp_3.1.8-1_mipsel.ipk
17880 Jan 8 2006 noip_2.1.1-1_mipsel.ipk
424984 Sep 28 2005 rsync_2.6.6_mipsel.ipk
308934 Jul 24 2005 strace_4.5.11-1_mipsel.ipk
328226 Oct 16 2005 unrar_3.51-1_mipsel.ipk
260538 Dec 7 2005 vsftpd_2.0.3-2_mipsel.ipk
busybox, ctorrent, dropbear & ncftp at least look interesting.
If these packages don't work, at least this project might have sources which could potentially be made to work.
If people who (unlike me) know what they are doing can get this to compile, then it might be prudent to run packages under an emulator first, rather than trying them for the first time on your router and possibly bricking it.
Programming help:
http://www.broadcom.com/products/Enterprise-Networking/Storage-Solutions/BCM4780
Emulators:
http://nenya.ms.mff.cuni.cz/~holub/msim/
http://gavare.se/gxemul/
http://www.niksula.hut.fi/~buenos/yams.html
I hope this is of some help to those who are more capable than I and who have an interest in opening and improving this device.
Thanks, I'll try this aproach. However I do not see that Oleg's firmware adds this package. Is it inculded in wl500g GPL source already?
It is just called "Oleg" As it is tailored with "Oleg" kernel headers. Otherwise it is system independent with its own uclibc library and dynamic loader. It runs also on dd-wrt firmware!
It is just called "Oleg" As it is tailored with "Oleg" kernel headers. Otherwise it is system independent with its own uclibc library and dynamic loader. It runs also on dd-wrt firmware!
I just dont understand why uclibc is not included in wl700ge original gpl firmware. I see that all those wrt54g cloned custom firmwares and oleg's maintained asus firmware do not change anything but enables telnet and can execute the shell scripts.
Can you explain me?
I hope this is of some help to those who are more capable than I and who have an interest in opening and improving this device.
Thanks for the info. Looks promising.
- K.C.
Thanks for the info. Looks promising.
- K.C.
I have looked a bit further in to this topic.
The BCM4780 NASoC as (apparently) used on the WL 700ge is listed on this page: http://www.linux-mips.org/wiki/Broadcom_SOCs
That listing implies that programming help can be obtained from this extensive resource: http://www.linux-mips.org/wiki/Main_Page
There are a great many possibilities here, but the information that might be of interest regarding uClibc is here:
http://www.linux-mips.org/wiki/Toolchains#uClibc_Toolchain_and_Buildroot
which in turn refers to here:
http://www.uclibc.org/
More information on emulators is here:
http://www.linux-mips.org/wiki/Emulators
For anyone who has added the serial port per these instructions: http://www.tiedyedfreaks.org/eric/WL-700gE/
Then the process described on this series of pages might be partially relevant:
http://www.nomis52.net/?section=projects§2=netgear&page=cfe
This process appears to make it possible to boot the router from test software on your main PC without having to flash the router.
Thanks for the additional info. I bookmarked some of them to digest later.
It has taken quite some time to unravel the build environment. It's one of the most convoluted messes I've ever witnessed. Fortunately, I've made some significant progress. So far, I've done the following:
1. Rebuild the 1.0.4.6 release (thanks to the tutorials) and flashed my box.
2. Permamently modified the rcex startup script to run a user script (rc.local) located in a convenient location. It took a while to find because the rcex file used during the firmware build actually resides in the exinstall.tar.gz tarball!
3. Permanently added an /etc/fstab symlink link to /tmp/fstab. This was also fun to find because a script actually builds the entire /etc filesystem!
Via my rc.local script, I now do the following:
1. Get the HDD to spin down (and stay that way!)
2. Kill all uninteresting processes (especially the steaming pile of crap that is "watchdog").
3. Enable utelnetd on the local lan interface only.
4. Kill thttpd and restart it to point to my content.
Additionally, I've confirmed that openmss.org packages actually work out of the box (this makes upgrading ctorrent, busybox, and dropbear easy). I've worked some updated busybox binaries into my startup script.
Tonight and tomorrow night I'll be working on a quick webpage to describe in detail the above items and post a binary built off of 1.0.4.6 along with some sample scripts that can be dropped onto the box to do various things.
- K.C.
Tonight and tomorrow night I'll be working on a quick webpage to describe in detail the above items and post a binary built off of 1.0.4.6 along with some sample scripts that can be dropped onto the box to do various things.
- K.C.
This is very exciting. I am quite hopeful for a very good outcome from this, and I would like to thank you for your efforts so far. Even if it doesn't quite work, it appears like you have made very significant progress here.
I'm looking forward to it.
looking forward to see it :)
As promised, I've posted my custom 1.0.4.6 based firmware image, instructions, and commentary at:
http://home.comcast.net/~kfurge/wl700ge.html
Future images to come as significant progress is made. Hope some of you find it useful.
- K.C.