New Firmware 1.0.7.8

[hal2k1]

I'll build a true multifunctional server/computer, I'm buying a micro ATX case with the Biostar G965 mobo, 1GB of ram and the intel core 2 duo 4300 and run windows XP not vista, no I wont use a graphics card, I hear the integrated graphic controller is pretty good for basic use(GMA X3000) and I'm trying to keep the power consumption down to a minimum, Total cost will be $320, $50 more then what I paid for this router and I can run the latest version of bitcomet or any other program I want ooo yea lets not forget the E4300 will be 50x more powerful then the processor running in this router with a lot more ram.

If you were to run Linux on this same intel core 2 duo 4300 machine, it would of course be easier to install (say by using a Xubuntu liveCD), it would be far more multifunctional (remember that "the latest version of bitcomet or any other program" does not actually come with Windows), it would run faster and be more functional.

remote admin via web interface? = webmin (http://www.webmin.com/ ___ http://www.webmin.com/standard.html ___ http://www.webmin.com/screenshots/chapter32/figure2.png ____ http://www.webmin.com/screenshots/chapterfs/figure2.png ___ http://www.webmin.com/screenshots/chapter37/figure2.png )
Router/firewall functionality? = iptables (http://www.webmin.com/screenshots/chapter19/figure2.png ).
Web server functionality? = lamp (linux, apache, mysql, php). (http://www.webmin.com/screenshots/chapter9/figure2.png ___ http://www.webmin.com/screenshots/chapter29/figure4.png ___ http://www.webmin.com/screenshots/chapter35/figure2.png )
Print server functionality? = CUPS (http://www.webmin.com/screenshots/chapter22/figure2.png ).
Bittorrent? = pick one for linux from this list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent_client
Mail server? = xmail ( http://www.xmailserver.org/ )

All for free, apart from the hardware cost.

If you are going to blather on about Windows, then at least compare to a similar use case on Linux.

Windows is limited to x86 architecture and it scales poorly ... Linux runs on everything from supercomputers to wristwatches to google-clusters.

Xubuntu feisty will support 3D desktop (via compiz fusion http://compiz.org/Home/Screenshots ) natively on a GMA X3000 video card (Intel provides open source 3D graphics drivers).
http://vness.wordpress.com/2007/07/1...compiz-fusion/ ___ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiz

Dare I say, wow!

A core 2 duo E4300 CPU will not support x86 virtualization because it lacks the Intel VT functions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86_virtualization
If you were to step up the CPU to an E6xxx series CPU, then you would be able to run virtualization software: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel-...irtual_Machine (again for free).

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:H...screenshot.png

Try and do that for the same cost with Windows as the primary host OS!

On any given piece of hardware, for the same overall outlay, you are far, far more likely to be able to get far more stuff (and more powerful stuff) running far more easily, cheaply and reliably by starting with a Linux OS than starting with a Windows OS.

[Guru]

i'm happy with my customized WL700, because when i consider the power consumption of the Asus WL700 compared to any Windoze based Mini-Server then i got what i wanted. a low-power consuming device which serves (slowly) all my needs. my WL700 is working fine and i got everything running with moderate amount of fine-tweaking. thanks to K.C. (kfurge) again

brgds

--
tiwag

That's one of the reasons why I got the wl-700GE
Low Power consumption/running torrents sounded bad ass at first, but i fails at torrent part

Yes a mini-PC will consume more power no doubt about that but the performance gain+easy to install software will make it worth it in my opinion, on the 700GE we are stuck with using Linux base software and even then some of the programs still won't work on it.
Yes you are right, you can't have a mini-pc consume as little power as the 700GE but you can come close.
Use a 65nm CPU clocked at 2ghz or lower, use 512mb or 1gbRam max, use only 1 hard drive, no graphics card, no sound card, remove the floppy drive, only 1 Fan(zalman 7000) to cool the CPU and everything around.
I'll do some testing and see what the difference is between 1 core and 2 cores, I hear you can disable a core and run only one, I'm pretty sure Bitcomet wont have a problem with that if the power consumption is lower.


@AverySimonsen
All I ever wanted is a good BT client, but this people can't even deliver that
I downloaded a Axxo movie with over 8000 seeders and it took me 3 days to finish the movie, If I download the same movie on Bitcomet it takes 2 hours to finish the download.
Yes the 700GE is able to download a torrent but it does a shit job compare to any current BT client.
Since I have fast cable connection(8mb dl/718up) I have become spoiled and like my downloads to finish in my lifetime.lol


I decided to add the http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=377018 n1 vision with my mini-PC, yes I know the price but I got a coupon for 50% off at best buy, I'm getting this sucker for $100
I plan to install it in the living room with my media center PC, it looks so sexy.lol

@hal2k1
If Linux is so much better, then why is everyone using Windows?
I never seen a single person running linux and I have a lot of geek friends who use C++,HTML,Java etc

"blather on about Windows"

I don't like windows more then you do but it's easier to use,(more user friendly) 99% of software will run on it, if something breaks I can fix it on my own.

I'm not sure how much it would have cost asus to run windows but I do know they could have install a better BT client, if KC manage to add new feautures and run a better BT client why hasn't Asus done this in the first place? at least step up to the game and fix the problem now, you people must work for asus or something, seriously how can you be so happy after 9 months with a firmware that only fix 2 things that I never had problem with, actually this firmware was a nightware for me
Seriously 1 programmer could have done a better job at this then asus in 9 months, big ass company they make billion of dollars and this is the best they can do?

[fireflash]

Hope I'm not fanning the flamings, but it seems to me that Guru and Wl700g are missing a crucial point: The wl700ge is a network device. Not a pc. It is easy to forget when asus (and perhaps even more so kfurge) makes it do tasks that used to be reserved for PCs. Being a network device and not a pc, it consumes a lot less power, is more silent and takes up way less space. It is even deceptively attractive on the outside.

If you know your computer history, there are very real explanations to why Bill Gates and Microsoft in general had such luck marketing their product in the dawn of the PC age. First and foremost Gates had the bright idea to go into business with the people supplying customers with computers, so that they came ready to use with an operating system already installed.

Arguing that network devices should run desktop windows is insane, if you will pardon my choice of words.

Amen brother It's not because Windows or any MS OS is better than any UNIX-based OS, it was essentially shoved down the consumer's throats back in the early 80's with MS-DOS, thanks to a very brilliant plan by Gates & Co.. MS got the consumer market cornered early on and has been able to hold on to it, but slowly others are starting to chip away at their mighty empire. Just because it's the most used doesn't always mean it's better.

If I ever build a PC-based router for my home, it won't be running Windows. There's plenty of *NIX-based easy to use setups out there that require a lot less hardware and overhead to run, and will still run circles around this Asus box. But I like the Asus because it's a low powered router with a few extra perks, which is why I bought it. My old DLink router was working perfectly, but the hard drive and the fact that (supposedly) it could run my BT downloads was enough to make me cough up the cash for it. I didn't expect much out of it, just that it did what was advertised. Sadly, while it did, it wasn't pretty, and we've had to turn to others to make it do what Asus says it's suppose to do. Maybe that was their plan all along, half-ass it and hope the user base takes care of the rest. And since it is running Linux, under the GPL they have to release the source code, so anyone with the know-how can have a lot of fun with it.

But again, we've gotten off topic.

[kfurge]

seriously how can you be so happy after 9 months with a firmware that only fix 2 things that I never had problem with

You do have a point here. I'm not an Ausu shill and am personally disappointed with the lack of ongoing support for the firmware. I think they could earn major points with the community by just implementing a workable BT client.

- K.C.

[hal2k1]

Yes a mini-PC will consume more power no doubt about that but the performance gain+easy to install software will make it worth it in my opinion, on the 700GE we are stuck with using Linux base software and even then some of the programs still won't work on it.

Your error here is assuming that the limitations you experience on the WL700ge are due to its use of Linux. That assumption is not correct. The limitations are due to (a) the WL700ge hardware (particularly lack of memory), and (b) your lack of knowledge about Linux.

All I ever wanted is a good BT client, but this people can't even deliver that
I downloaded a Axxo movie with over 8000 seeders and it took me 3 days to finish the movie, If I download the same movie on Bitcomet it takes 2 hours to finish the download.
Yes the 700GE is able to download a torrent but it does a shit job compare to any current BT client.

On the WL700ge running kfurge's custom firmware or running OpenWrt, enhanced-ctorrent or rtorrent will do a fair job ... just without a graphical "GUI". rtorrent has a "pseudo GUI" ... it is easier to use than a straight command line.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rtorrent
http://portfolio16.de/tmp/chunks.png
http://libtorrent.rakshasa.no/images/file_list_01.png
http://libtorrent.rakshasa.no/images...ad_list_01.png

Since I have fast cable connection(8mb dl/718up) I have become spoiled and like my downloads to finish in my lifetime.lol


I decided to add the http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=377018 n1 vision with my mini-PC, yes I know the price but I got a coupon for 50% off at best buy, I'm getting this sucker for $100
I plan to install it in the living room with my media center PC, it looks so sexy.lol

On Linux in general, any one of several choices of bittorrent client will do just as good a job as any Windows program running on the same hardware.

In general, whatever you can do buy buying expensive Windows-based software, you can do better and for free with Linux-based software.

For example, your media centre PC.
http://linuxmce.org/
http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Screenshots

For free.

@hal2k1
If Linux is so much better, then why is everyone using Windows?
I never seen a single person running linux and I have a lot of geek friends who use C++,HTML,Java etc

I don't know, but I suspect it is because Linux is free, so it doesn't have an advertising budget. Since most people are like yourself who are too lazy to find out for themselves and won't listen anyway, then most people simply don't know (and won't believe when told) that Linux options are better and are free.

"blather on about Windows"

I don't like windows more then you do but it's easier to use,(more user friendly)

A pure myth. Linux will support any GUI function that Windows will.

99% of software will run on it,

Including all of the viruses and malware that are out there. You have to load down your Windows PC with a whole raft of bolt-on-afterthought-expensive-security-protection-performance-hit software such as Norton's or whatever to keep your PC safe, and it nearly brings the PC to its knees.

I repeat ... anything you can do on Windows, you can do just as well on Linux on the same hardware. On Linux it will be free, and it won't nag you, or spy on you, or stop working on you after 30 days, or require extra protection programs or cost you anything.

if something breaks I can fix it on my own.

How is this different for Linux? Linux is actually better in this regard ... most Windows executables are binary-only closed source which you have no chance to fix.

http://www.linuxhaxor.net/2007/08/13...-dump-windows/

I'm not sure how much it would have cost asus to run windows but I do know they could have install a better BT client, if KC manage to add new feautures and run a better BT client why hasn't Asus done this in the first place? at least step up to the game and fix the problem now, you people must work for asus or something, seriously how can you be so happy after 9 months with a firmware that only fix 2 things that I never had problem with, actually this firmware was a nightware for me

Seriously 1 programmer could have done a better job at this then asus in 9 months, big ass company they make billion of dollars and this is the best they can do?

All of this rant is all a problem of Asus, not of Linux.

There are better software programs for Linux that Asus could have used (particularly if they had thought to include a bit more memory), but they didn't. Rant at Asus, by all means, but do not mistake Asus for Linux or for FOSS software in general.

I personally have ditched the Asus software, and I have gone with OpenWrt for this router. OpenWrt is still in development for the WL700ge, and it isn't stable, and it runs into memory restrictions just as Asus software does or kfurge's custom firmware + oleg's optware does, but OpenWrt is the most open and configurable of the lot. Not recommended for beginners though.

I am hoping that Debian embedded or even perhaps the "Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded Edition" will eventually proove a better solution for the Asus WL700ge hardware.

Certainly we will never have a hope of running Windows on this hardware ... and that is a good thing.

[back2basic]

I'm really starting to think this a windows vs lynux tread

[hal2k1]

I'm really starting to think this a windows vs lynux tread

Well, when someone tries to blame Linux for deficiencies of Asus firmware, and in the same breath says "I can do more with better hardware and Windows and it won't cost much" ... well it should be pointed out that Windows + applications for Windows (that don't come with Windows) will in fact cost a good deal (more even than the hardware), and that Linux on the same hardware would be easier, more powerful, flexible and secure and actually save money.

I don't mind someone having a rant, but they should at least rant at the correct party.

[AverySimonsen]

@Guru: I completely agree that Asus would have created fabulous firmware with great bittorrent support and everything else if they had had just 1 (one) dedicated and competent programmer full time on the project. I can only assume that firmware for the 700ge has but the lowest priority at Asus. Maybe because they expect the community to do the job for them as suggested above.

I had a very good impression Asus as a company having bought several motherboards and graphics cards by them in the past, but I must say that any network devices (and similar) that I buy in the future will NOT be from Asus. They have their priorities all messed up.

[Guru]

Well, when someone tries to blame Linux for deficiencies of Asus firmware, and in the same breath says "I can do more with better hardware and Windows and it won't cost much" ... well it should be pointed out that Windows + applications for Windows (that don't come with Windows) will in fact cost a good deal (more even than the hardware), and that Linux on the same hardware would be easier, more powerful, flexible and secure and actually save money.

I don't mind someone having a rant, but they should at least rant at the correct party.

Assuming you pay for the software
Don't think many people on this forum purchase software.....I wonder why(torrents).lol
I have nothing against linux dude, If you like it rock on.
I see another thread started by Kfurge doing another custom firmware for 1.0.7.8 Great work man, doing the work for asus again, seriously they should hire you

[Psytrax]

Can someone else verify, that the orange power button has no function any more, please?

I haven't been able to shut the router down since i installed firmware 1.0.7.8 ...

[back2basic]

Can someone else verify, that the orange power button has no function any more, please?

I haven't been able to shut the router down since i installed firmware 1.0.7.8 ...

It works normal over here it powers the box down and when I push it again the box powersup again , haven't got any problems with it

[yeller]

Did the BT client change or is it the same from the previous firmware?

[AverySimonsen]

I think the BT client changed. I have not been able to make it work at all while I ran 1.0.7.8. KFurge also said somewhere that the BT client binary had grown since 1.0.4.6.

[medsource]

Kfurge:

I remember back when you were working on the 1.0.4.6 firmware that you noticed that asus had done some customization to vsftpd. Question: did they use the new vsftpd release in the new firmware or is it the same one from the older firmware, and, if they did use the newer vsftpd (the one found in ipkg), did they make their same modifications. The modifications made in 1.0.4.6 seem to tie-in the GUI user management and security settings to vsftpd in a simple manner however the performance of directory browsing suffers (not sure if they are linked).

Anyway, if you have any info on the subject...

[kfurge]

I don't think there were any changes for vsftpd from one version to the other. I'm in the middle of a computer upgrade and can't check right now to confirm.

If I forget to follow-up (which I probably will), please ping this thread again.

- K.C.