Getting OpenLink working on a LS-HS

Introduction
This page describes how to install OpenLink on a Linkstation HS-D300GL or HS-D400GL. The HS version of the Linkstation has the unique problem of rebooting every five minutes after being flashed with a custom firmware like OpenLink or FreeLink. This write-up documents the path taken to perform an OpenLink install on a Linkstation HS, and to update the kernel in order to solve the rebooting problem. It is detail-oriented (perhaps too much so) to help beginners make the required changes to their box.

This document is heavily based on the work of others:
 * Information about controlling the bootloader
 * Information about avr_evtd (it is automatically installed via the webinstaller)
 * Beginner's Questions in the HS (ppc) Forum Thread
 * 300GB Home Server Questions
 * Patch a HS-D300GL - NFS Server
 * HS (ppc) Forum Thread on Kernel Updating
 * Andre's Webinstaller for the Linux Kernel
 * Overview of the Linkstation Firmware Flasher (this is a must read!)

Hardware and software configuration

 * 1) Host platform is MS Windows XP (SP2)
 * 2) Hardware is the HS-D300GL or HS-D400GL . I had previously installed my own files (backups, music, etc.) on this disk drive prior to the f/w change, and they were preserved following the f/w change.
 * 3) Original firmware is v1.49.
 * 4) Software to be installed is OpenLink v051b and the v2.6 Andre Linux Kernel

Way 1 (short)
As the hardware of the HG and the HS is the same you just need to use the same firmimg.bin in flash. If you flash OpenLink for the HG you have nothing beneficial if you have the HS-kernel in flash. 1) What to download http://downloads.nas-central.org/LSHG_PPC/Distributions/Openlink/hg-openlink-051b.zip http://downloads.nas-central.org/LSHS_PPC/StockFirmware/Stock/hs-dgl_DirectCopy_149_107.zip 2) unpack in seperate folders 3) copy the firmware-updater.exe from the hs-firmware-package to the hg-openlink-package 4) just flash the HG-firmimg.bin to flash and HG-openlink to the hdd by flashing via the firmware updater 5) your HS is a HG now. you can revert by doing it the opposite way

Way 2 (long)
This process can be broken down into four phases: ...and your done.
 * 1) Phase 1: Know Your Hardware
 * 2) Phase 2: Collect the Tools and Software
 * 3) Phase 3: Update The Firmware
 * 4) Phase 4: Configure Internet Access
 * 5) Phase 5: Update Linux Kernel

PHASE 1: Know Your Hardware
Find out which firmware version your LinkStation has and make very sure you have an HS-DGL (PowerPC) Linkstation. This could either these two model numbers:


 * HS-D400GL
 * HS-D300GL

If you do not have this specific hardware, it is advised that you find another write-up to help you with the install.

It is advised that you back up the files on this drive before performing this work. However, a normal installation process should preserve your files.

PHASE 2: Collect the Tools and Software
Perform the following steps using the computer you will eventually directly connect to the LinkStation to perform the firmware update.


 * 1) Download both the HS-DGL-Firmware and the HG-Openlink
 * 2) http://downloads.nas-central.org/stock_firmware/hs-dgl_DirectCopy_149_107.zip (stock or the telnet-enabled, both have the firmware-updater included)
 * 3) http://downloads.nas-central.org/openlink/hg-openlink-051b.zip
 * 4) Unzip both packages in a seperate folder
 * 5) Copy the image.dat from the openlink-HG-package over the image.dat of the HS-DGL-Folder.

Now you have the tools to perform the firmware change and you're ready for Phase 3.

PHASE 3: Update the Firmware
Here you will actually change the operating firmware of the HS-DGL box. You will directly connect to the LinkStation, then perform the update. It is strongly recommended that you connect both the computer and the LinkStation to an UPS to make sure a power failure does not impact your update.

1) Using the LinkStation web application, if you wish to use a static IP disable the DHCP client function. You'll then need to select an IP address the box will use. Pick an IP address that is in the same sub-range as your network. For example, if your own computer's IP address is 192.168.0.5, you can set the LinkStation IP to an unused IP address on your network (perhaps 192.168.0.20). The LinkStation will take a minute to restart with the new IP address. See the screenshot for what this looks like:

2) Now change your own computer over to using a static IP address. This can be done by right-clicking the Network Connection icon and selecting Properties. Again, choose an unused IP address in the same sub-range as your network (and the LinkStation). I chose 192.168.0.21.

3) Disconnect the LinkStation and your own computer from the network. Connect them together directly (do not use a hub or a router). I used a crossover cable, but this is not required as the LinkStation auto-senses the connection. You should see network connectivity on your computer now.

4) This step is very important: Disable any and all firewalls, virus checkers, spyware filters, etc. you have running on your computer. Examples of this include Norton, MacAfee, OneCare, etc. Also, go to Start, Control Panel, Windows Firewall and make sure this is OFF. Finally, make sure the only enabled network adapter in your computer is the one that is connected to the LinkStation. If you're using a laptop, make sure the wireless networking is disabled.

5) Now you are ready to actually udpate the firmware. Double-click on the file called "hs-dgl_DirectCopy_149_107\HS-DGL FWUpdater" that you have on your hard drive. Remember, this is the folder in which you replaced the "image.dat" file in the previous phase. This will start up the firmware update utility.

CAUTION! If you experience problems loading the updater (e.g. no dialogue box appears), try creating a shortcut, right click, properties, check the compatibility mode for Windows 2000.

6) You will be prompted for the administrator password. I left this blank. I had no password set on my linkstation (except for secure folder access).

7) Click the "Renew Firmware" button. The f/w will load (it took about 2 minutes in my case). You will then see a "Settings are being restored message" and a couple of LinkStation soft re-boots will occur. When you see the message "Firmware has been renewed" you can click OK to exit the updater.

8) Now you will log into your 'opened' LinkStation using Telnet. Open up a command dialog on your computer using Start, Run, cmd. In this black dialog box, enter the following:

telnet 192.168.0.20 (or the actual static IP you used for the LinkStation)

If you get the prompt "bash-2.05a#" - you successfully opened up up your box!

Now your LinkStation is using firmware that has OpenLink available and the version 2.4 Linux kernel. You can also communicate to the LinkStation securely using telnet. Unfortunately, your LinkStation will now appear to soft reboot about every 5 minutes. This will be fixed in the next two Phases.

PHASE 4: Configure Internet Access
The LinkStation will need to communicate to the internet in Phase 5 to update the Linux kernel from v2.4 to v2.6. You need to tell the LinkStation how to do this. That is, you need to specify a gateway address using the web configuration interface. This is the address of your router on your normal network. Mine is 192.168.0.1. If you are using a Linksys router, it is likely 192.168.1.1.

1) For the kernel 2.6-webinstaller to run you need your HS be able to connect to the internet. If you use DHCP all is fine. If you use a static IP, execute echo 'nameserver 217.115.138.24' > /etc/resolv.conf This is a public nameserver....you can replace the IP with the nameserver of your choice...for example the same you use on your other hosts. If you are familiar with the VI text editor, you can simply edit the /etc/resolv.conf file and add the line to the end of the file.

2) Now perform a hard re-boot of the LinkStation (Press and hold the power button).

3) You can now disconnect the LinkStation from your computer and connect both the LinkStation and your computer back to the router. If you like, you can set your computer back to using DHCP for it's IP address. Leave the LinkStation's IP static for now.

PHASE 5: Update the Linux Kernel
You will now use the webinstaller to update the Linux kernel on your LinkStation. This will fix the rebooting problem. This is best done by copying and pasting the command lines directly into the cmd dialog box running telnet. You must perform these steps soon as possible following a reboot of the LinkStation.

Suggestion: Set up two windows side-by-side on your monitor: One with these commands ready to copy, and the other is the cmd dialog box.

The following steps differ slightly from the Tago Thread which is also referred to in the Beginner's Questions Thread.

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS MAY NOT BE IN SYNC WITH THE KERNEL MAINTAINER'S OWN DOCUMENTATION http://hvkls.dyndns.org/downloads/documentation/README-webinstaller.html PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Congratulations! You're now running with OpenLink 051b and the version 2.6 Linux kernel.

At this point i've created a Kernel 2.6 Version of tmpimage-OL-0.51-HG.tgz which i've used basically for installing OpenLink manually, as described in Convert your PPC LinkStation into a full-blown Debian system. You could download this version (including above self-updating scripts) here: tmpimage-OL-0.51-HS-kernel-2.6.19.2.tgz

--Andy 15:06, 2 February 2007 (EST)

Now there ist also an FreeLink Version for Download: tmpimage-FL-1-11-LS1-HS-kernel-2.6.19.2.tgz

--Andy 03:07, 24 February 2007 (EST)