OpenMicroServer

First, note that while the English factory standard firmware has the time zone set to Japan, this was changed to UTC with version 0.4-RELEASE-20080727.en

If you are booting the default installation from the flash ROM, more steps are necessary: you need to first provide the necessary files, and then store them in the flash ROM user area.

Download the HDD image (base.tgz) version of the firmware and extract the directory /usr/share/zoneinfo/ and its contents. Copy the timezone date to OMS.
Add this path to /etc/FLASHCFG
Save the data to the second user area with

# flashcfg -S /etc/FLASHCFG

Add the line extractuser=YES to rc.conf to read these files from the user area automatically at boot up
Change the symbolic link /etc/localtime to the desired timezone data
Add the path /etc/localtime to /etc/flashcfg
Save the file with

# flashcfg -s /etc/flashcfg

If you have installed an extended OS distribution on a hard disk or Compact Flash card, you can easily change the time zone: change the symbolic link /etc/localtime to your desired time zone under /usr/share/zoneinfo/.

For more information, refer to http://www.linuxsa.org.au/tips/time.html

Question 30

What is the MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) for the OpenMicroServer?

Answer

OpenMicroServer: 420,000 hours = 47.9 years
AC adapter: 50,000 hours

Question 31

How can I log in as root over telnet?

Answer

If you are booting from internal ROM or CF card:

/etc/login.defs

(before) CONSOLE console:ttyS0:ttyS1
(after) CONSOLE console:ttyS0:ttyS1:ttyp0:ttyp1:ttyp2

(before) CONSOLE console:ttyS0:ttyS1
(after) CONSOLE console:ttyS0:ttyS1:pts/0:pts/1:pts/2

/etc/flashcfg

/etc/login.defs

# /usr/sbin/flashcfg -s /etc/flashcfg

When booting from HDD

pts/0

pts/7

/etc/securetty

Question 32

I want to implement log rotation.

Answer

You can implement log rotation with the newsyslog command.
As newsyslog is not included in the standard factory firmware, retrieve the files first:
(in this example, we use the firmware RELEASE-20070221, IPv4 version)
Download the files base.tgz and etc.tgz from the ftp directory ftp://ftp.plathome.co.jp/pub/OMS400/RELEASE-20070221/mipsel-obs1550/binary/
Extract the files newsyslog and newsyslog.conf from the files. On a linux console, you can use the following commands:

$ tar ztpvf base.tgz ./usr/bin/newsyslog
$ tar ztvpf etc.tgz ./etc/newsyslog.conf

Log in to the OpenMicroServer, and copy the files to the following directories:

/usr/bin/newsyslog
/etc/newsyslog.conf

Next, set owner, group and mode:

# chown 0.0 /usr/bin/newsyslog
# chmod 555 /usr/bin/newsyslog
# chown 0.0 /etc/newsyslog.conf
# chmod 444 /etc/newsyslog.conf

Add the following line to the file /etc/FLASHCFG (create the file if it does not exist)

/usr/bin/newsyslog

and run the command

# /usr/sbin/flashcfg -S /etc/FLASHCFG

Add the line

/etc/newsyslog.conf

to /etc/flashcfg In /etc/rc.conf, add

extractuser=YES

Execute

# crontab -e

and check whether the line

0       *       *       *       *       /usr/bin/newsyslog -i 60

shows up. If the line does not exist, add one.
Add the line

/var/cron/tabs

to /etc/flashcfg if it does not exist.
At last, run

# /usr/sbin/flashcfg -s /etc/flashcfg

and reboot.

Question 33

The device suddenly stops or reboots.

Answer

Please check whether the power plug is tightly plugged in. If it is only plugged in halfway, it can happen that it has a loose contact, causing the device to suddenly stop or reboot sometimes.
Note that you can fasten the contact on the OpenMicroServer models with a cable clamp.

Question 34

I want to use the OpenMicroServer as a ntp server (time server).

Answer

First, add the following line to /etc/rc.conf

ntpd=YES                ntpd_flags=""

Next, prepare the file /etc/ntp.conf
Download etc.tgz from ftp://ftp.plathome.co.jp/pub/OMS400/LATEST/mipsel-obs1550/binary/etc.tgz
and extract the file from it.

% tar zxpvf etc.tgz ./etc/ntp.conf

You can use this file as a basic setting.
Finally, add the line

/etc/ntp.conf

to /etc/flashcfg
and run the command

# /usr/sbin/flashcfg -s /etc/flashcfg

to store the file on the internal flash ROM. (The last step is not necessary if your system is installed on external storage like a CF card.)

Question 35

When I use the su command, I get the message `/dev/pts/0: Operation not permitted'

Answer

When using su with the hyphen `-' as argument, the following message is displayed:

# su - <user name>
Password: 
/dev/pts/0: Operation not permitted

To make the message disappear, comment out the following passage in the file /etc/profile

if [ -x /usr/bin/biff ]; then
 biff y
fi

Question 36

Does Java work on the OpenMicroServer?

Answer

The following versions work:

Java software products

intent

Open Source Java VM

Kaffe
Tested on OpenMicroServer under SSD/Linux and Debian.
See http://www.kaffe.org/compatibility_japitools.shtml for the status of kaffe's implementation of Java API.
SableVM
Tested on the OpenMicroServer under Debian.

Question 37

I want to read data from an external storage device (USB Memory Stick, USB HDD, CF Card etc.) formatted in a windows file system (FAT).

Answer

Please update the OpenMicroServer to the latest firmware version. VFAT support was included in firmware RELEASE-20060727.

To format the storage device in FAT, please use a Windows PC.

You can use the storage device in the OpenMicroServer after you mount it with the mount command.

In case of a CF
```
# mount -t vfat /dev/hda1 /mnt
```
In case of USB Flash Memory or a USB HDD
```
# mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /mnt
```

In the above example, the device can be accessed in the directory /mnt.

Question 38

I configured the httpd (http daemon) over the Web Setup Tool / Serial Setup Tool, but no page appears.

Answer

Please first check in the Web Setup Tool / Serial Setup Tool, whether your httpd settings are as the following:

Mark the checkbox "httpd starts at startup"
Mark the checkbox "Perform chroot to Data Directory"
Data Directory (dir): /home/www
CGI pattern (cgipat): **.cgi
Log file (logfile): /home/www/logs/thttpd.log

Then, log in and use su to become root. Execute the following commands.

# mkdir /home/www/data
# mkdir /home/www/logs

Store the contents of your Web pages in /home/www/data/

Next, add the following lines to /etc/flashcfg:

/home/www/data
/home/www/logs

to save the data to the Flash ROM at shutdown / reboot, otherwise the data is lost.

Finally, save the configuration and reboot.

In the Web Setup Tool / Serial Setup Tool:
Select "Save: Restart" in the "Save" tab.

At the command line, enter:

# /usr/sbin/flashcfg -s /etc/flashcfg 
# reboot

See also:

http://www.acme.com/software/thttpd/

Question 39

When I use the ftp program on the Windows command prompt to download files for OpenMicroServer / OpenBlockS / SSD/Linux from the ftp server, the files are broken.

Answer

When using the Windows command prompt ftp program to upload / download files (that are not text files), be careful to use the right file transfer type. When downloading binary files like firmware, you need to set the transfer mode to binary.
Since the default mode is ascii, always use the following command on the ftp prompt to switch to binary mode before downloading program files.

ftp>  binary
200 Type set to I.

Question 40

Do you have an indication how long an OpenMicroServer would run on a UPS (uninterruptible power supply)?

Answer

We tested an OpenMicroServer with integrated CF card on a Mitsubishi Electric AX-M10R-1.5KS-B (1500VA) UPS. The server kept working for about 7.5 hours until power ran out.
For automatic shutdown, we tested FREQSHIP-mini for FreeUNIX (freq_2.00.tgz).
To use a UPS, you need a serial port adapter for the OMS and a serial cross adapter to connect it to the OMS.
See also our list of recommended peripheral devices: http://www.plathome.co.jp/support/labo/oms400/recommend.html

Question 41

I installed Debian on the OpenMicroServer / OpenBlockS266, but the iptables command does not work.

Answer

You can solve this by exchanging the debian iptables with the one from SSD/Linux.

Boot to the factory default status. To do that, hold down the init button and plug in the power.
Log in via telnet or serial port. Run the following commands with root permissions.
Mount the storage device where you installed debian. In this guide, we assume a CF card in the internal slot, so the device name is /dev/hda1. Change as appropriate.

# e2fsck /dev/hda1
# mount -t ext3 /dev/hda1 /mnt

Copy the iptables command from SSD/Linux
```
# cp /sbin/iptables /mnt/sbin/iptables
```
Unmount the storage device where Debian was installed.
```
# umount /mnt
```
Reboot
```
# reboot
```

Question 42

What is the difference between a special CF card for the OpenMicroServer / OpenBlockS266 compared to a normal one? What are the merits?

Answer

The difference is that Plat'Home guarantees proper operation for CF cards sold especially for the OpenMicroServer / OpenBlockS266.

CF cards have different operation modes, which can lead to different problems during use. There can also be problems with the built-in memory controller. These specifications are usually hard to verify before purchase. Memory controller and specifications can differ even within the same model number.

To avoid this, all special CF cards are tested by us in the OpenMicroServer / OpenBlockS. There is also a preliminary control by the maker to avoid differences in one model. That way, we can guarantee proper operation. If there should still occur a problem, we will respond and investigate the matter.

Question 43

I forgot my password, so I can't login anymore and can't change settings.

Answer

With the method below, you can reset the password while retaining all other settings.

Boot the device while pressing the INIT button.
IP address after boot:

OpenMicroServer

ETHER-0: 192.168.252.254
ETHER-1: 192.168.253.254
ETHER-2: 192.168.254.254

OpenBlockS266

ETHER-0: 192.168.253.254
ETHER-1: 192.168.254.254

Login as root

telnet
serial connection

Run 'flashcfg -x'
Set the password

for the root user
run `passwd'
for a normal user

Run `flashcfg -s /etc/flashcfg'
Reboot with the command `reboot'

Question 44

I tried to use ftp or telnet, but it takes a long time to connect.

Answer

It is likely that the name server settings are wrong. Either enter a correct name server, or remove all name servers from the setting files.
You can do that either by using the Web setup tool or serial setup tool, or by editing the configuration file directly.

Web setup tool or serial setup tool
In the section "network" under "resolver settings", either enter a correct name server address or make all entries blank.
Login
Enter a correct name server address in the file /etc/resolv.conf in the line nameserver or remove the entry.

Question 45

Can the OpenMicroServer / OpenBlockS266 be used as a load balancer?

Answer

You can use the open source software Pen for load balancing with the OpenMicroServer / OpenBlockS266.

Note: We have tested and verified basic operation, but we did not perform a stress test. Please test whether pen runs in your environment before actual live use.

OpenMicroServer
You can run the program by installing it into the user area of the internal Flash ROM.
OpenBlockS266
You need an storage device to install the program, such as a CF card.

You can download a precompiled package of the software for OpenMicroServer / OpenblockS266 at the address below. Please read the README, LIST and MEMO files.

OpenMicroServer: ftp://ftp.plathome.co.jp/pub/OMS400/packages/ pen-0.17.0-mipsel-1.tgz
OpenBlockS266: ftp://ftp.plathome.co.jp/pub/OpenBlockS266/packages/ pen-0.17.0-ppc-1.tgz

Question 46

Does squid (a proxy server) run on the OpenMicroServer?

Answer

We have verified that Squid runs on the OpenMicroServer.

Caution: We have only tested basic functionality, not a stress test. Please test whether squid runs in your environment before actual use.

OpenMicroServer

You can download a compiled version of squid for the OpenMicroServer at the address below. Please read the README, LIST and MEMO files.

ftp://ftp.plathome.co.jp/pub/OMS400/packages/

Question 47

How can I configure VLAN?

Answer

In the following example, we setup eth0 as VLAN device with VLAN ID 3

Create

# vconfig add eth0 3

Assign IP address (192.168.0.3)

# ifconfig eth0.3 192.168.0.3

Delete

# vconfig rem eth0.3

VLAN IDs can be set as any integer between 0 and 4094. Note that 0 and 1 are reserved.

See also
802.1Q VLAN implementation for Linux:
http://www.candelatech.com/~greear/vlan.html

Question 48

When I login over the serial port, the display in the vi editor is garbled.

Answer

Before starting vi, use the following command to set the TERM variable.

# export TERM=vt100

Question 49

How can I fetch the setting files stored in the OpenMicroServer / OpenBlockS266 Flash ROM.

Answer

The setting files stored in the OpenMicroServer/OpenBlockS266 Flash ROM with the command

# flashcfg -s /etc/flashcfg

can be fetched with the following commands:

OpenMicroServer

# cp /dev/mtd/3 flashcfg.tgz

OpenBlockS266

# cp /dev/mtd/0 flashcfg.tgz

The setting files are collected in the gzip-compressed tarball flashcfg.tgz.
You can view a list of them with the following command:

# tar ztpvf flashcfg.tgz

Note: You can view the information in the device mtd.

# cat /proc/mtd

Question 50

The firmware update of my OpenBlockS / OpenMicroServer failed, and now it does not boot anymore.

Answer

Try whether you can boot the device while holding down the init button.

If this works, check the correct update procedures and try again.
If this does not work, try the "Updating firmware by using BOOTP+TFTP server" method described in the User's Guide (Chapter 5.3.2 for OBS manual)

Caution:

Please check the integrity of the downloaded firmware files by comparing file sizes and MD5 sums.
If you are using the ftp command on a PC to download the firmware, set the ftp client to binary mode.
If the above methods and checks do not help, it is possible that there is a hardware failure. In that case, please contact our customer service.

Question 51

Is the queryperf command from bind available for OpenMicroServer / OpenBlockS266?

Answer

You can download a compiled version of the queryperf command for OpenMicroServer and OpenblockS266 from our ftp server.

For OpenMicroServer (43232 bytes)
For OpenBlockS266 (33583 bytes)

Please set your ftp client to binary mode for download.

Question 52

Can I backup the OS environment to a CF card or (on OMS) a USB storage device?

Answer

Yes, that is possible. You can make a complete backup of the OS environment to play it back in case of trouble.
The easiest way is to create an ext2 or ext3 partition on the medium and just copy all data.

Question 53

I tried to use the OpenMicroServer / OpenBlockS266 as a router, but it did not work. I thought about using routing, but in the web setup tool the settings for IP masquerading, port forwarding and easy firewall do not appear.

Answer

For security reasons, routing is disabled in the OpenMicroServer/OpenBlockS266 default configuration.
To activate it, add

iptables=YES

as the last line in the file /etc/rc.conf.
Then, save the settings to the flash ROM with the command

# flashcfg -s /etc/flashcfg

and reboot.

Question 54

Can I use audio with the OpenMicroServer?

Answer

You can use a USB audio device. We have successfully tested the Creative SBDMUPX.
Since sound drivers are not included in the standard firmware, you need to do the following:

First, download the OMS firmware from ftp://ftp.plathome.co.jp/pub/OMS400/RELEASE-20070221/mipsel-obs1550/installation/ (or ftp://ftp.plathome.co.jp/pub/OMS400/RELEASE-20070221/mipsel-obs1550.ipv6/installation/, version with IPv6 support) and update it. See the OMS user's guide on how to update the firmware.

Next, download the file kern.tgz from ftp://ftp.plathome.co.jp/pub/OMS400/RELEASE-20070221/mipsel-obs1550/binary/ or ftp://ftp.plathome.co.jp/pub/OMS400/RELEASE-20070221/mipsel-obs1550.ipv6/binary/ .
Extract the following files:

./lib/modules/2.6.16/kernel/sound/core/oss/snd-mixer-oss.ko.gz
./lib/modules/2.6.16/kernel/sound/core/oss/snd-pcm-oss.ko.gz
./lib/modules/2.6.16/kernel/sound/core/seq/snd-seq-device.ko.gz
./lib/modules/2.6.16/kernel/sound/core/snd-hwdep.ko.gz
./lib/modules/2.6.16/kernel/sound/core/snd-page-alloc.ko.gz
./lib/modules/2.6.16/kernel/sound/core/snd-pcm.ko.gz
./lib/modules/2.6.16/kernel/sound/core/snd-rawmidi.ko.gz
./lib/modules/2.6.16/kernel/sound/core/snd-timer.ko.gz
./lib/modules/2.6.16/kernel/sound/core/snd.ko.gz
./lib/modules/2.6.16/kernel/sound/soundcore.ko.gz
./lib/modules/2.6.16/kernel/sound/usb/snd-usb-audio.ko.gz
./lib/modules/2.6.16/kernel/sound/usb/snd-usb-lib.ko.gz

with the command

% tar zxpvf kern.tgz ./lib/modules/2.6.16/kernel/sound/core/oss/snd-mixer-oss.ko.gz
…

Copy the files into the directory /lib/modules/2.6.16/usb on the OpenMicroServer.

Finally, save the settings on the CompactFlash card.

# flashcfg -s /etc/flashcfg

and reboot.

Easy operation check

Record
```
# cat /dev/audio > test.au
```
Play
```
# cat test.au > /dev/audio
```

Question 55

I want to use the DIO interface of the OMS. How can I do that?

Answer

You can access the DIO port over the device file /dev/dio. The interface is operated by ioctl.
Use the following sample programs as a reference.

diod.c
Operating as a daemon, this program executes designated commands according to the status of the DI.
diolock.c
Sends a make status at the designated port, holds it for a designated number of seconds, and breaks after that.
dio_oms400.h
Header file that is added to the kernel source

Question 56

Can I upgrade the RAM in the OpenMicroServer / OpenBlockS?

Answer

No, the RAM is hardwired onto the motherboard.

OpenMicroServer

FAQ

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