Freelink - Convert the LinkStation into a Full-fledged Debian Linux Server

From NAS-Central Buffalo - The Linkstation Wiki

This article Based on work by frontalot and mox69. Originally by frontalot. at Linkstationwiki.org

How to Convert the LinkStation into a Full-fledged Debian Linux Server

The following guide will attempt to explain the steps involved in converting a stock Buffalo LinkStation into a fully functional Linux system with Samba administered via Webmin/SSH. The following is a list of things that I will assume from the reader:

• You have a basic understanding of Linux command line functions.
• Your LinkStation must be connected to the Internet! I have mine connected via a standard 5 port router to take advantage of the router's DHCP capabilities.
• It will be handy to have the IP addresses of your ISP’s DNS servers.
• You know the current IP address of your LinkStation.
• Some familiarity with the Linux text editor called “vi.”

Install FreeLink

1) Grab the latest version of FreeLink from the downloads area and unzip it. Install the firmware per the instructions at: The LinkStation firmware flasher. You must have your computer on the same subnet as the LinkStation, e.g., 192.168.1.XXX. Open a telnet session to the LinkStation.

# telnet 192.168.1.XXX
Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 %h
root@LinkStation:/# 

2)Start by changing the root password:

passwd root

3) If you want to name your LinkStation something besides LinkStation, type the following commands (replacing BuffaloNas with your choice of name):

echo “127.0.0.1 BuffaloNas” > /etc/hosts
hostname BuffaloNas
export hosts
echo “BuffaloNas” > /etc/hostname

• Do you need to use static network settings? Click here.

Install Software

4) Test your Internet connection:

ping www.google.com

if you get no response you will have to edit the /etc/resolv.conf file and add a DNS server address to the bottom

/etc/resolv.conf

#frontalot's static setup (adjust to your network settings)
#
search
nameserver 192.168.1.1
nameserver <<DNS SERVER IP>>

5) Now we can begin installing software. Debian uses a program called aptitude to manage the software on your computer. Think of it as a very advanced command line version of Windows add / remove programs. First update the aptitude package list and install SSH:

apt-get update

6) Then install OpenSSH:

note: this step is only necessary for the PowerPC(LS1,HG) versions of freelink. The MIPSel(LS2) version comes with SSH enabled

apt-get install ssh

7) Answer the installation prompts, making sure to enable the SSH daemon (server). Now use your favorite SSH program to make sure we can SSH in (I prefer PuTTY). If SSH is working you should be able to log in like this:

8) You should upgrade all currently installed programs:

apt-get upgrade

9) Now close out your telnet session and disable the telnet daemon (utelnetd):

rm /etc/rc2.d/S05utelnetd

10) Let's install specific packages. Type the following at the SSH prompt:

apt-get install samba smbfs

11) Answer all the prompts with the appropriate information. Make sure to use encrypted passwords and create a password database. Then install Webmin, a program which allows easy administration of the LinkStation via a web browser:

apt-get install webmin webmin-core webmin-cpan webmin-inetd webmin-logrotate webmin-firewall

12) When that is done type:

apt-get install webmin-samba

Configure Software

13) You must add your computer's IP address to the list of allowed hosts:

vi /etc/webmin/miniserv.conf

14) Change 127.0.0.1 to the IP address of the computer from which you will be administering the LinkStation. You will be able to add more later via Webmin itself. Next restart the Webmin:

/etc/webmin/restart

15) And connect to Webmin via HTTPS, e.g., https://_LINKSTATION_IP_:10000





16) Congratulations, you have successfully installed FreeLink. now you may want to:

• Free up some space on hda1
• Correct the system time and setup Network Time Protocol (NTP)
• Install a 2.6.XX kernel
• Have a look at other Debian specific articles

---

Static IP Address

3a) Only for users who need static network settings you must edit /etc/network/interfaces:

/etc/network/interfaces

# we always want the loopback interface
#
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback
#
# default dynamic setup (no adjustment necessary)
#
auto eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp
      hostname `hostname`
#
# frontalot's static setup (adjust to your network settings)
#
# auto eth0
# iface eth0 inet static
#     address 192.168.1.3
#     network 192.168.1.0
#     netmask 255.255.255.0
#     broadcast 192.168.1.255

3b) You must correctly edit this file to reflect your network settings. In our example:

/etc/network/interfaces

# we always want the loopback interface
#
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback
#
# default dynamic setup (no adjustment necessary)
#
# auto eth0
#iface eth0 inet dhcp
#      hostname `hostname`
#
#frontalot's static setup (adjust to your network settings)
#
auto eth0
iface eth0 inet static
    address 192.168.1.3
    network 192.168.1.0
    netmask 255.255.255.0
    broadcast 192.168.1.255

3c Save the file and exit vi. To change the DNS servers edit:

/etc/resolv.conf

#frontalot's static setup (adjust to your network settings)
#
search
nameserver 192.168.1.1

3d) We will be using the following DNS servers in our example:

/etc/resolv.conf

#frontalot's static setup (adjust to your network settings)
#
search
nameserver 192.168.1.1
nameserver 128.101.101.101
nameserver 134.84.84.84

3e) Save the file and exit vi.

3f) Reboot before you move on to step 4