Install uBoot on GoFlex Net - wich way?

[Roba]

Hi to everyone,

this is my first post in this forum. I am 19 years old, have 5 Years Linux experience but only with Ubuntu and Fedora.

So my question:
I ordered a GoFlex Net and found to ways to install uboot.

1# http://archlinuxarm.org/platforms/armv5/seagate-goflex-net

2# http://projects.doozan.com/uboot/

The first one use a script from Doozan and the second one install the uboot direct to mtd0. Wich way is the better or more up to date, one? Have you other tips or helping information for the installation?

Thx
Roba

[moonman]

First way is ready to use setup script, you won't have to mess with the environment. It will just work. You won't be able to boot kernels past 3.1 though.

Second method is more involved, you'll have to play with u-boot variables/find correct values to set. More dangerous. You will be able to boot kernel 3.2 and later (3.5.1 currently in repo). I created a guide for the second method: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=3355

[Roba]

Thank you for the fast replay.

Your guide is great, but one stupid question, must I write the
$this->bbcode_second_pass_code('', 'fw_setenv usb_rootfstype ext3')
in the shell or it in a config file?

And second can I combine the code for Sata and USB, that the GoFlex Net can boot from USB and SATA?

[moonman]

you have to write this in shell. AFAIK you should be able to use USB and SATA together.

[Roba]

Thx,

I had ordered the GoFlex Net today over Amazon and waiting for the package to test it.

Other question the volume mtd1 and mtd2 how big they are and can i flash a piece of the root filesystem there? Or the swat volume? Or is this place to small or is it reserved?
mtd0 is only the boot partition, right?

[moonman]

Although it is possible to use internal flash, don't use it, espesially for swap.
1. there's too little space
2. You will kill the flash, especially with swap on it
3.archlinuxarm is not designed for it.

You will have to stripe it to barebones to fit in 128 MB

[Roba]

Ok thx,

I want to use the GoFLex Net especially as a media streaming server, with miniDlna and samba. I want to mount the /home on a 3TB hard drive and the system on a usb stick. Perhaps a second 3TB hard drive as backup for the first one.

Are there other Problems, which I must know about?

[moonman]

Yes, if you want to boot off of 3TB drive you will have to mess with hybrid MBR as U-Boot doesn't support booting from GPT and MBR doesn't support drives larger than 2.1 TB.

This post by dannyp summarizes what you need to do to make hybrid mbr work. It's probably a good idea to read the whole thread to understand what he says there.