NSLU2 with Meteohub firmware: does it support another hard d

[chris]

I am sure this question has been put forward before, but searching for "hard disk" did not show any search results...

So let us suppose I buy an NSLU2, and I flash the firmware. Will I still be able to use the NSLU2 as it was intended by LinkSys, i.e., as a network storage? I want to run Meteohub software, but in parallel I would like to be able to access data that would be stored on a USB drive.

Thanks in advance,
best,
Chris

[sevenless]

You can't do that in the basic Meteohub setup -- it's one use or the other. As it is, both USB ports are used by Meteohub (one for the flash drive, one for the station data input), and even with just running the station you're using most of the NSLU2's horsepower.

You might have better luck looking into the x86 systems, which have a lot more available power and could probably be more easily modified to serve a dual purpose... although I don't think Meteohub is configured to handle additional capabilities like that by default, so you would probably need to do some custom configuration.

That said, If I wanted to multitask like that, I wouldn't be using such embedded systems. Instead I'd get an small laptop that doesn't use much more power or cost much more (such as a netbook or an old mini-notebook), and which has inputs and a screen to work with, then install Linux and use the VMware version of Meteohub along with whatever other multitasking you want it to do.

[Chill]

I agree sevenless but ...

That said I have running what you had in mind:
- 1 NSLU2 as a meteohub server, for weather purposes
- 1 NSLU2 as a file server with a USB HD 500Gb, in order to store/read files under Version:V2.3R63-uNSLUng-6.10-beta

Both of them are availables from Widnows PC in the local network.

Reason:
If you can buy a NSLU2 for around 75€ is a convenient file server with no noise, low energy consumption,...

Chill

[d_l]

I have one of each type NSLU2 too. The NAS file server just uses factory standard firmware.

[chris]

Thanks for all the info. I will then buy two NSLU2, so I can have both functionalities. Just out of curiosity: The Meteohub firmware, does it look similar to anything? Is it similar to the original firmware by LinkSys, or to Unslug, or to ...? So that I could install the proper firmware on the other NSLU2 in order to have a similar look and feel when operating the one or the other?

Best,
Chris

[Chill]

You can read at www.meteohub.de Home page:
"Meteohub is based on appropriate hardware and a matching Linux distribution. For NSLU2 Meteohub is baed on SlugOS/BE 4.8,..."

So far, it is similar to Unslug.

HTH,
Chill

[chris]

Thanks, good to know. So I would have one NSLU2 with MeteoHub, and another one with Unslug, and they would operate similarly.

Best,
Chris