Iconnect on Diogo Gomes

Creating a KVM virtual machine using debootstrap

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:35:26 +0000

How to create a Debian virtual machine outside a virtualization environment.

The challenge here proposed is to create a virtual machine inside a remote server and boot it up using KVM. Sure I could have used VNC and go through all the setup steps of the Debian install disk running inside the virtual machine, but that would have taken ages and would be virtually impossible to automate.

Therefore the next steps detail how to install Debian using debootstrap on a qcow2 image disk and how to successfully boot the debian install using kvm (I’m assuming here your kvm environment is already properly setup).

An Arduino shield to control your house

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 17:38:00 +0000

This post is long due since I’ve built this shield almost half a year ago and works great :)

So here is the story of how it all came about.

Having too many remote controls around (TV, STB, Home Cinema, PS3, PowerSwitches) I decided to get ride of them all and use only my laptop/smartphone. Using an Arduino I developed a shield that works as an universal IR remote control and as an RF remote control (315Mhz). So here are the instructions:

Linux kernel 2.6.38.4 for the Iomega iConnect

Mon, 02 May 2011 11:21:31 +0000

After a long hiatus, I’m back with the latest version of the linux kernel (2.6.38.4) for the iomega iconnect.

This new kernel brings several improvements to the previous ones, since it improves support for Marvell’s Kirkwood platform (on which iConnect is built upon) and finally includes in the main kernel the wireless driver for the RaLink RT3090 Wireless 802.11n 1T/1R PCIe which is built in the iConnect.

Without further due, here are the files:

Binary Kernel and Modules for the Iomega iConnect running Linux Debian

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:21:31 +0000

In the last months after I’ve published an howto on how to customize the Linux kernel for the Iomega iConnect, I’ve been getting lots of comments from people who would like to have a go at installing it, but which are not proficient Linux users.

In order to assist those situations, I’m hereby making it available binary versions of Linux 2.6.37 configured for the Iomega iConnect, as well as the source code used to compile those binaries.

Customizing a Kernel for the Iomega iConnect

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:41:16 +0000

If you have followed my previous post on how to install Debian to the Iomega iConnect Wireless Data Station you have been dying to read this follow-up post on how to take you iConnect to the next level by customizing the kernel and finally controlling the buttons and leds in the device (not to mention making use of the wireless card).

Setting up a cross-compile environment

First thing you need is to setup an environment in which you will cross compile the kernel and everything else that needs to go into the iConnect. Don't take me wrong here, the iConnect is a great device and all, but it just can't compete with your state of the art laptop/workstation ;)

Installing Debian on a Iomega iConnect Wireless Data Station

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 17:35:26 +0000

Installing Debian on a Iomega iConnect Wireless Data Station is not that difficult but will unavoidably void your warranty. You will need to rip apart the device in order to access the console port.

Requirements:

Access to the Serial Console through a USB to serial interface such as the FTDI - TTL-232R-3V3-WE (some soldering required)
USB harddisk or stick (harddisk is advisable since stick tend to wear off)
Ethernet Connection for debian installation - Important!!! you MUST use Gigabit Ethernet!!! due to a bug in the Debian Install Kernel
Linux Host in order to setup the kernel

First step is to rip apart the iConnect and reach the serial port as depicted here.

After connecting your host to the iconnect through the usb serial adapter you should be getting a prompt:

Low Power Home Server

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 01:26:44 +0000

For a long time I’ve searched for a way to replace my aging ASUS WL500gx which looks like the WL500g but packs 2 USB2.0 ports and has extra RAM (64MB).

The ASUS has been my home server for a long time now (>5 years), providing me with a reliable SSH server through which I can proxy my Internet usage whenever I’m in a public space, with a small webserver in which I keep Internet and Power Usage statistics and for a brief period of time was my printing server (it was replaced first by an Apple Airport Express, and more recently by ZON’s HUB).