Category:FAQ

This article Based on work by nix, frontalot, tklee, admin, andre, and mindbender. Originally by mindbender, Frontalot and admin. on Linkstationwiki.org

=The NAS-Central Site=

NAS-Central Forum - Forum Rules

 * Please understand these rules aren't intended to prevent people from speaking their mind (good or bad) or to impose the team as a group of iron-fisted rulers. They are intended to help keep the forums functioning fairly and smoothly and to ease the workload on the developers.


 * 1. Your developers are volunteers. They don't get paid for their services. In many cases they have donated both money, hardware, and much of their time to help this community. They do this as a hobby and generally gain enjoyment from this community. Do not harass them in any way. Private requests for help via e-mail, private message, etc will not be tolerated. If you have a problem that does not have a known solution, post your problem to the forum. Posting to the forum makes the solution to your problem available to others with the same problem. Sending an e-mail or PM to a developer will result in a suspension from the forum and wiki.


 * 2. Support is never guaranteed. Ask nicely without demanding anything. Demanding from people who donate their time is a sure fire way to get ignored, or worse, banned. One thing is certain, asking nicely will get you further than demanding anything. Respect the developers and excise patience.  If you have a support question that requires immediate attention, visit Buffalo tech support.


 * 3. Use thesearch function in the wiki and read through whats available. Do not post a question to the forum without reading through the wiki. There is no need or want for the same information to be posted in multiple places. duplicate posts or information in multiple places makes it difficult to maintain. duplicate posts will be deleted. Google is your friend.


 * 4. Use the search function in the forum. For the same reasons you searched the wiki, you should search the forums. Again, do not post a question in the forums unless you have completed a thorough search first. Duplicate posts will be deleted.


 * 5. Do not post questions on wiki talk pages. Wiki talk pages are for discussion of wiki articles. Questions should be posted to the proper forum after searching the forum and wiki for an answer to your questions. It is highly suggested that you provide detailed documentation of where you searched when you ask support questions (i.e. keywords used, pages reviewed, etc.).


 * 6. The #linkstationwiki IRC channel at freenode is not to be used as a way to circumvent the searching of the wiki and forums requirement for support questions. It is unfair to users that have properly asked questions in the forum, for developers to quickly answer questions in IRC.  If you have a fair support question, post it in the forums, not in IRC.  If your question has not been answered, it has likely been ignored for a reason.  Users caught using the #linkstationwiki channel merely to to circumvent proper support asking techniques, will lose #linkstationwiki IRC privileges.


 * for further explanation.


 * 7. Read the FAQ before posting a problem and then read it again.


 * 8. Commercial transactions and advertisements are prohibited unless pre-approved by the site administrator.


 * 9. Follow any licensing rules, including attributing information to the original author, not posting copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright holder, and not discussing the use of licensed software on unlicensed devices. Doing so will get you banned and your thread will be locked.


 * 10. All Beta code is subject to the acceptance of this disclaimer. Users must agree to the TOS.  Anyone found not to comply may have their forum and wiki privileges suspended.


 * 11. Vandalism will not be tolerated and will result in being permanently banned.


 * 12. User pages in the wiki are considered personal space. Editing someone else's user page is not permitted and may result in a suspension of priveledges.


 * 13. Do not discuss methods, nor ask for help, in either the wiki or forums, for installing proprietary software on devices for which you do not have a license for. An example of such, is asking to install the Linkstation Live software on the Linkstation Pro.  Doing so seriously violates International Treaties, US and EU intellectual property laws, and other laws in other vicinities, and can place the nas-central.org community in jeopardy.  Users in violation of this rule will be permanently banned from the forum, wiki, and IRC channel.


 * If you want to report something to the admin team, then here is the list of the main admins:
 * andre
 * flavoie
 * jonli447
 * kuroguy
 * lb_worm
 * mindbender
 * ramuk
 * timtimred
 * Sending a private message in the forum is the easiest way to get in touch.

originally created by The Editor

=Background=

What is the LinkStation?

 * The LinkStation is a network-attached storage appliance sold in North America and Japan, that is significantly notable among the Linux community both in Japan and in the US/Europe for being "hackable" into a generic Linux appliance and made to do tasks other than the file storage task for which it was designed.
 * The Linkstation has Ethernet, USB, and serial ports, but does not have a video output. It is made by Buffalo Technology a division of Melco. Produced in Japan, as of 2006 it is also available at American retailers such as Best Buy and CompuUSA, as well as in Europe.


 * The Linkstation has undergone various improvements since it was first produced. For example, the first generation of this device had a 100BASE-T network adapter using a Parallel ATA hard drive. The most current version includes a 1000BASE-T-capable connection. Most versions of the device use a PowerPC processor but one uses a MIPS processor. The newest version of the device uses the SATA interface for the hard drive.


 * Look here for more info: What is it?

What is the difference between a LinkStation and a Kurobox

 * The LinkStation comes with a HDD and Kurobox does not.


 * The term LinkStation, as well as the term KuroBox each stand for a family of devices. Some of them are basically the same hardware, others are only available as part of one family or the other family. Buffalo/Revolution/Melco has also phased out some older versions in each family (e.g. the H-LAN, the original KuroBox, the KuroBox HG).


 * Currently, there is only one particular KuroBox, the HG WR, available from Revolution. That one has no direct LinkStation equivalent, since it has an external "brick" power supply, while all current LinkStations have build-in power supplies. The KuroBox HG WR is otherwise similar to the LinkStations HD-HGLAN.


 * On the other hand, there is a LinkStation HD-HLAN which is build in two versions. One has a PPC (LS1) the other a MIPSel (LS2) processor. Only the version with the PPC was ever available without a hard disk under the name KuroBox. There was never a MIPSel-based KuroBox.


 * If you want to buy a KuroBox, then you can currently only get the HG WR from Revolution. If you want to buy a LinkStation, you can get a HD-HLAN (and typically you have no say if you get one with a PPC or MIPSel). Or you can buy a HD-HGLAN LinkStation (which always has a PPC, like all KuroBoxes). Or you can try one of the new LS from the HS-GL series (these have hardware similar, but not identical, to the HD-HGLANs with additional media server software).


 * There are a few optical differences between an LS and a KB (case color), and KBs don't have these two annoying screws in the case which make it more difficult to physically open an LS case.

What is a LinkStation I? What is a LinkStation II? What is a Gigabit LinkStation?

 * The HD-HLAN (PowerPC) LinkStation is sometimes referred to as the PPC LinkStation or LinkStation I (LS1).
 * The HD-HLAN (MIPSel) LinkStation is sometimes referred to as the MIPSel LinkStation or LinkStation II (LS2).
 * The HD-HGLAN (PowerPC) LinkStation is sometimes referred to as the HG LinkStation or Gigabit LinkStation.

What are the differences between the HD-HLAN (PowerPC), HD-HLAN (MIPSel), and The HD-HGLAN (PowerPC) LinkStations?

 * The HD-HLAN (PowerPC) and HD-HLAN (MIPSel) LinkStations are essentially the same system running on different hardware (PowerPC versus MIPSel). The HD-HGLAN (PowerPC) also is a PowerPC system but features a gigabit ethernet connection and a faster processor than the HD-HLAN (PowerPC) LinkStation.

Which LinkStation is the best?

 * Each LinkStation has its strengths and weaknesses. The HD-HLAN (PowerPC) and the HD-HGLAN (PowerPC) LinkStations have been available longer and thus have been more thoroughly hacked. The HD-HLAN (MIPSel) has not been as thoroughly hacked as it's PowerPC cousins.  The HD-HGLAN (PowerPC) LinkStation is the only unit with gigabit ethernet connectivity. You may examine our benchmark results and make your own decision.

Which is better, the LinkStation or the NSLU2?

 * The LinkStation


 * 1) Has a faster processor
 * 2) More RAM
 * 3) A large internal hard drive
 * 4) Optional gigabit ethernet connectivity


 * The NSLU2


 * 1) Costs less
 * 2) Fanless
 * 3) Has a more developed hacking community.

=Software=

What version of Samba does the stock LinkStation come with? Netatalk? thttpd? WU-FTPD? ProFTPD?

 * Samba 2.2.8a-ja-1.1-beta5
 * Netatalk 1.6.4
 * thttpd 2.25b
 * WU-FTPD 2.6.2
 * ProFTPD 1.2.9.

smb.conf keeps getting regenerated every reboot, and all the changes I made to it are erased. How do I fix this??

 * The /etc/samba/smb.conf file is regenerated automatically on every reboot by the melco-scripts. Samba 3.0.23 is not compatible with the smb.conf that gets created for samba 2.2. In order to use use your handmade samba config, and tell the LS not to touch it: Have a look at
 * How to disable the automatic update of smb.conf, proftpd.conf, Applevolumes.default

I can't connect to Windows shares from my PCs or Macs

 * Look here for more information: Troubleshooting Windows shares (samba)

Does the LinkStation offer NFS (Network File System) support?

 * Yes for later HG models. Other versions will but you will need to install the additional kernel modules first.
 * Currently Kernel-NFS is possible on the LS1, LS HG, and LS HS with 2.6-kernel and on the LS2 with the kernel-modules of the stock kernel.
 * Look Here Articles/GeneralNFS

==I want to Install XXXX Piece of software or use a device that requires Kernel Modules not available in the stock 2.4.XX Linux Kernel Release. Is there a way to get a 2.6.XX Linux Kernel with more support/modules that will allow me to do this?==


 * PowerPC Only This method only works for the powerpc-hdhlan and powerpc-hdhglan LinkStations
 * You can upgrade to a 2.6.XX kernel from the 2.4.XX currently included in the Debian (FreeLink) release, on LS1, HG, KuroBox, and KuroHG. There's a package with additional files for users on Openlink, Sylver, or Stock Firmware.
 * The 2.6.XX kernels address virtually all shortcomings of the LS stock kernels: Very good USB support, NFS, routing, quotas, lots more.
 * The 600+ modules are optional -- you could delete them, as the "LS core functions", support for mass storage devices and printing, have been compiled into the kernel. There's even an automatic webinstaller


 * Look Here: The NAS-Central 2.6 series linux kernel effort

I can’t seem to log in via FTP as root. How can I do this?

 * There are many good reasons why you shouldn’t log in via FTP as root (too many to list here). You should consider whether you really need to log in as root. If you absolutely must log in as root, edit /etc/ftpusers, and remove the prohibited username root.

I managed to lock myself out of the web interface. How can I fix this?

 * Delete /www/.htpasswd and /www/cgi-bin/.htpasswd. The LinkStation will automatically regenerate the appropriate files.

When connected to the LinkStation via telnet, pressing enter/return once actually results in two carriage returns. How can I fix this?

 * Under PuTTY’s configuration menu, select “Connection,” then “Telnet,” and uncheck
 * Return key sends Telnet New Line instead of ^M.

They want me to edit something, but I don't know how to do that?
See http://nas-central.org/index.php?title=Editors

== I followed all tips from the FAQ-section...i disabled my Firewall, i try to directly connect the LS with a crossover-cable....i can connect to it over the webinterface, the samba shares and over telnet...but the firmware updater does not find the Linkstation....what else could be wrong? ==


 * Hz4711 had this problem: the linkstation has a service called ls_servd(apservd) which is needed for the firmware updater. it did not start. over telnet he could delete /var/run/ls_servd-eth0.pid because it was pretty old (you can check this by doing a "ls -a" in /var/run)...


 * afterwards start apservd:


 * /etc/init.d/apservd start


 * hopefully this happened only with an old openlink-version

I cannot connect to the Buffalo's FTP-Server?

 * The location and password have changed numerous times but the ftp-server now (at last check) allow anonymous connections (finally!):

Host: 24.153.165.234 Username: anonymous Password: anonymous Path: /disk1/share


 * direct link for your browser:
 * ftp://24.153.165.234/disk1/share

Where can i download the GPL-sources for the stock firmwares?

 * buffalo.jp provides them here:


 * http://opensource.buffalo.jp/ <- newer sources!

thx to r0m we now have a mirror!:


 * http://buffalo.data.free.fr/

Why is my clock all screwed up? The localtime is set to Japan, how do I change it. Can I use ntpdate? and where I can insert the timeserver?

 * 1) Openlink
 * 2) The Original Buffalo Way, The Mipsel-hdhlan Buffalo Way, and Fixing the Buffalo Way
 * 3) The Correct Way - Typical, The Correct Way - Large Clock Drifts
 * 4) Correct the system time and setup Network Time Protocol (NTP)
 * 5) FreeLink
 * 6) Correct the LinkStation time zone setting using TZCONFIG
 * 7) Use apt-get to install the NTP packages.  And use the Network Time Protocol (ntpdate)
 * 8) Solve the LinkStation's problematic clock drift

/bin/more doesn't work. It says 'more: /dev/console: No such device'.
cd /dev mknod tty0 c 4 0 mknod tty1 c 4 1 mknod tty2 c 4 2 mknod tty3 c 4 3 mknod tty4 c 4 4 mknod tty5 c 4 5 mknod tty6 c 4 6 mknod tty c 5 0


 * (by ramon)

After moving directory to hda3 to free up space on hda1, some symbolic links don't work any more.

 * If you move files from hda1 to hda3 you must take care to add all necessary symlinks, to solve problems with busybox and perhaps other programs. Instructions are in the article on freeing up space on hda1.

A lot of commands stopped working. Busybox is overwritten after installing Development Tools.

 * This is very possible if you install some package which overwrites busybox through its symbolic links. For example, the Development Tools overwrites 'cmp' (through /usr/bin/cmp -> /bin/busybox) and this may ruin your busybox.  One way to prevent this is add the k option (non-overwriting) for tar in install.sh.


 * If your busybox is overwritten, you might not even be able to boot. In that case, you'll have to rescue your busybox through other means, e.g. mount your HD under PC and use ext2_fix to write back the binary file.


 * I found busybox is easily overwritten, so I always keep another copy somewhere else and copy it back after any potential writing into /bin, /sbin, or /usr/bin</tt>.

My Linkstation has a static ip-adress and is connected to a router. How do I add (permanent) access to internet?
general settings: Ip-adress of my router is 192.168.1.1. Ip-adress of my Linkstation is 192.168.1.4. After installing mipsel-openlink-052b, first I checked /etc/resolv.conf:

root@LS2:~# cat /etc/resolv.conf nameserver 192.168.1.1

I did not need to edit resolv.conf. No idea who did it for me, but thanks anyway ;-)

'''Adding a route manually (routing information is gone after reboot). ''' root@LS2:~# route add default gw 192.168.1.1

'''Adding a route permanently (routing information is restored after reboot). ''' root@LS2:~# vi /etc/network/interfaces auto lo iface lo inet loopback auto eth0 iface eth0 inet static address 192.168.1.4 netmask 255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.1.255 gateway 192.168.1.1 root@LS2:~# reboot

In the file above I only had to change gateway from 0.0.0.0 to the adress of my router.

Verification by following commands

route -e (same as netstat -r) as well as ping google.com (and successful downloads using wget)

=Hardware=

Can I connect multiple USB devices to the LinkStation via a USB hub?

 * Yes. Please see Connect multiple USB devices to the LinkStation via a USB hub for detailed instructions.

Help! I was attempting to do “xxx” and now my LinkStation won’t work. What can I do?

 * Provided you haven’t altered the flash memory, reapplying the firmware update will usually return the LinkStation to the stock configuration. If you are not able to communicate with it on multiple levels (i.e. pings, ssh, web) You can try to boot into EM-mode, depending on the problem, this may give you access to certain areas, such as web interface and file sharing. You can also remove the hard drive from the LinkStation and connect it to a Linux workstation for repair. See the Articles area for instructions on how to disassemble the LinkStation.

What does the red button on the back do? Is it a reset button?

 * The red button causes the LinkStation to reboot. On reboot it replaces the current password files with the stock versions. If the hard drive is not present or partitioned then it may go into EM mode where the system can be flashed via the firmware updater.


 * You DO NOT force EM mode by holding the red init button and then powering up the unit. You will notice on the front of the unit, the power, disk full and diag light will flash in unison. Only the watchdog is disabled.

My LinkStation LED(s) blinks X times and then powers down, or My Linkstation Pro has an Info or Error Light Flashing. What do the blinks mean?

 * Please see the powerpc-hdhlan, mipsel-hdhlan, powerpc-hdhglan, or arm9-LSpro LED Analysis.

What is EM mode?, How do I get my LinkStation out of EM mode?

 * Look here for more information: EM Mode

How noisy is the LinkStation? Is it fit for bedroom use?

 * The fan is relatively quiet compared to the average PC fan. However, it certainly isn’t silent (as Buffalo Technology advertises) and may be too loud for people who require absolute silence. Reports from several users seem to indicate that mipsel-hdhlan LinkStations are noticeably louder than powerpc-hdhlan or powerpc-hdhglan LinkStations.

The fan is making a loud noise. How can I fix this?

 * See this article for suggestions on how to fix this: Fan noise

Can I replace the LinkStation fan?

 * Yes. The stock fan is a 40mm x 10mm 12V fan, ADDA part #AD0412LX-G76 (see http://www.addausa.com/model_index.htm for more information). It can be replaced with most any equivalent fan. It may be easier to get the three pinned smart fans so that the system wont lock up.

What are the default settings of the LinkStation HD

 * This is true only for the 160 GB SAMSUNG SP1604N disk, which came with my LS2:
 * Cache Size: 2048 KB
 * S.M.A.R.T. Status: Good
 * Max. ultra DMA mode: 5
 * Acoustic management: Disabled
 * Power management: Not supported
 * Write cache: Enabled
 * Read look-ahead: Enabled

I checked the settings above with Hitachi Feature Tool which is able to change acoustic settings on other brands as well.

What are the default partition sizes?

 * hda1 - 394MB
 * hda2 - 271MB
 * hda3 - remaining

I’m nearly out of hard drive space on hda1. What can I do?

 * You can relocate the /home, /usr, and /var directories to /dev/hda3 (/mnt or /mnt/hda on the LinkStation) and use a symbolic link on /dev/hda1. Detailed instructions are in the article on freeing up space on hda1.

Can I dynamically repartition the LinkStation hard drive?

 * You may be able to dynamically repartition the hard drive by using GNU Parted. Try it at your own risk! Resizing ext3 partitions with parted has an important limitation: The start of the partition must stay fixed. See parted documentation.

=How do I do something cool with my LinkStation?=

Articles

 * Check out the Articles section which shows all the various articles on the Wiki by category. The community may have done something already that would interest you!
 * Articles http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Open_book_01.svg/40px-Open_book_01.svg.png

Debian Repository

 * Search the Debian repository for PowerPC packages you can use Apt-Get to obtain if you have FreeLink on your LinkStation


 * http://www.debian.org/distrib/packages#search_contents
 * http://backports.org

SourceForge.net and Freshmeat.net

 * Search through SourceForge and Freshmeat to find something useful, Add it to the Wiki if you get it to work!!
 * http://freshmeat.net/
 * http://sourceforge.net/search/

Kurobox.com and NSLU2-Linux

 * See if the Kuro Box folks or the Linksys NSLU2(Slug) Folks have done something useful that you can use! The Kuro Box Forums and Contests are often especially useful.
 * http://www.nslu2-linux.org/wiki/HowTo/HomePage
 * http://www.kurobox.com/mwiki/