chi
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Post by chi on Jan 26, 2007 21:36:02 GMT 7
Hi Everyone,
I am thinking of getting a N5200 Roustor (br?) after reading a few positive reviews. However, I have since read quite a lot of bad user experiences after googling around for details on this device.
Despite knowing thecus have very poor user support and shoddy documentation, I am still pretty interested in getting this. I understand that the N5200 uses Linux as the OS which runs on a Celeron M CPU.
I have a few questions:
1. I read that this system uses Redboot as the bootloader. Can anyone confirm?
2. What version of the Linux kernel does it use?
3. Can the person who managed to get a VGA connection from their N5200 device provide some information on how it was achieved?
4. Does the N5200 come with a compact flash card? I read the OS is stored on this compact flash. Having said that, I also read the OS is actually running in a ramdisk. Can anyone confirm?
5. How noisey is the N5200 fitted with 5 drvies? Would it be out of the question to put this thing in the living room?
Any other thoughts or opinions would be most welcome.
Thanks.
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Post by omega on Jan 26, 2007 21:57:17 GMT 7
Hi Chi, welcome to this forum....  I am thinking of getting a N5200 Roustor (br?) after reading a few positive reviews. However, I have since read quite a lot of bad user experiences after googling around for details on this device. Despite knowing thecus have very poor user support and shoddy documentation, I am still pretty interested in getting this. I understand that the N5200 uses Linux as the OS which runs on a Celeron M CPU. I think it is not that bad. I checked the specs of a lot of devices but in this price region, there is (at the moment) almost nothing that compares to the N5200. You're right, the Thecus support is almost not existent but I heared that they are trying to improve the situation. And they are quite busy enhancing their software. And they are using GPL'ed software. Finally, I'm still a quite confident N5200 user. No, they are using plain GRUB for booting the Linux OS. Kernel version 2.6.13 (with some Thecus additions) Several others already asked that person, but he doesn't answered yet  Yes, the operating system is stored on a 64MB flash IDE drive. Again yes, the root filesystem is loaded into the ram disk, some other file systems are read-only mounted cloop (compressed loop) filesystems and one or two partitions are mounted on the flash drive read/write in order to store the configuration files which may change. This is not easy to answer because judging noise.... you know... But the N5200 has a big fan that prduces a noticable but not disturbing noise. For the harddisks it depends what model you're using, but even with the most quit models you'll always hear five of them. I wouldn't want to have a fully equipped N5200 device running 7/24 in my living room, though. But your mileage may vary..... Andreas |
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Post by gideon007 on Jan 27, 2007 3:11:54 GMT 7
5. I'm noise sensitive and I have put the Noiseinator as far away as possible and into a cabinet. I tried changing the fan but the hard drives are still very loud, even though I use the Samsung noiseless drives  So I wouldn't put it into the living room. |
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Post by kniteowl on Jan 27, 2007 4:42:11 GMT 7
Hi Chi and welcome to the forum,
Hardware wise, in its class, it¡¦s probably the best choice. It is closer to a prosumer unit than many of the other out there. It is a little above the many consumer ones out there, but there are definitely many professional units out there that will blow this out of the water.
I chose this unit for its form factor, hardware, and performance knowing full well that the software still needed work.
Their support is currently lacking in term of direct communication, but they are releasing firmware at a reasonable rate, and with each version, they either add something or fix something. Not everything that I would like, but at least it is an effort.
I have not done it myself, but to add VGA, or PS/2 keyboard/mouse support, you just need to solder on the headers and then break out the cover plate in the back for those headers. Everything is there, just missing the headers. The VGA one is easy, as the holes to solder on the header is there and open. For the PS/2 ports, you will need to de-solder holes first, as they are filled with solder already. I would recommend just using a USB keyboard/mouse instead.
they are running a DOM (Disk on Module) so you can¡¦t just buy a compact flash card and replace it, although if you were really incline to, you could replace the DOM with a compact flash ATA card and do this, or purchase a higher capacity DOM to replace it if needed.
I would not place it in the living room if you are noise sensitive, in my unit, the sound of the PS fan drowns out the hard drives noise. It uses a standard 1U server PS so it is a little louder than most people would expected, but it is not any more than what you would here from a normal PC.
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chi
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Post by chi on Jan 27, 2007 6:05:11 GMT 7
Hi,
Many thanks to everyone for the detailed responses. I am now slightly more clearer on how the N5200 works. More importantly, it sounds to me that this device is good value for money and not entirely a bad piece of kit (because of the firmware).
I have a few more questions:
1. Am I correct to say that the system boots from the DOM?
2. Is the RAID hardware based or software based (e.g. via the Linux kernel)?
3. Looks like the GPL source of the firmware is available to download on the Thecus site. Anyone here tried to build it/tweak it?
Thanks again.
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Post by Arctra on Jan 27, 2007 6:48:27 GMT 7
Hi, Many thanks to everyone for the detailed responses. I am now slightly more clearer on how the N5200 works. More importantly, it sounds to me that this device is good value for money and not entirely a bad piece of kit (because of the firmware). Yes it is a good unit and is only going to get better as Thecus and the user community add features, tweaks, and hacks. What I like about it is that Thecus aren't trying to block or stop tweaking and hacking. I think the other NAS's that'll be released in the near future will be using the Thecus N5200 as the benchmark. 2. Is the RAID hardware based or software based (e.g. via the Linux kernel)? Software based as far as I can see. The hardware is very basic (which is probably why the unit isn't too expensive) and I cannot see any specialised RAID chips on the board. 3. Looks like the GPL source of the firmware is available to download on the Thecus site. Anyone here tried to build it/tweak it? If anyone has tried it'll be Omega as he is clearly leading the pack as far as technical knowledge and willingness to try new things. On a side note about noise, it is largely dependant on what hard drives you use. I am using 3 Samsung 500GB drives that are very quiet and when there are no other sounds (like TV/music) you can hear the blowing from the main fan and a bit of the hard drives. I am convinced most of the blowing noise can be reduced by cutting out the perforated plate in front of the fan and replacing it with a wire grill. When I feel annoyed enough by the sound and when I feel I won't need to return it under warranty I'll get the Dremel out and start chopping, but I don't feel compelled enough to do this yet. If noise is a concern for you then you'd do well to go for drives that are confirmed to be quiet and actually power down after a period of inactivity in the Thecus (read the forums further). The Thecus Wiki might answer your questions if you haven't seen it yet: onbeat.dk/thecus/index.php/N5200_Resources |
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Post by omega on Jan 27, 2007 6:50:22 GMT 7
Hi Chi, Sure, yes, from what else? Software based, they are using the RAID modules in the linux kernel. Yes, it is available. But building and tweaking, though it would be not that difficult to do it, is not so interesting. There is already a project to bring Debian Linux on that device (see here wiki.chaostreff.ch/index.php/Thecus_n5200_Debian. But I'm 100% sure that if you connect a CD-ROM drive you would be able to boot almost every Live-CD Linux. BTW: maybe some of your questions could be answered by checking out the unofficial Thekus Wiki here: onbeat.dk/thecus/index.php/N5200_ResourcesAndreas |
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chi
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Posts: 4
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Post by chi on Jan 27, 2007 18:52:44 GMT 7
Thanks all,
Great to get such quick responses and useful advice.
Omega, that Debian link looks pretty interesting. You also made a very good point about plugging in a CDROM to boot Linux. This would be pretty neat as I already boot some of my machines into Linux via USB drives.
I think I'll do a bit more reading on the URLs you provided but all in all, I think this is probably what I need.
Cheers.
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chi
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Posts: 4
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Post by chi on Jan 30, 2007 19:14:28 GMT 7
Please excuse the sudden change of topic but I'm now wondering whether I should try building my own NAS server? I found this (a bit old but you get the idea): www.mashie.org/casemods/udat1.html. The SFF design is aesthetically pleasing but not essential. The info in the following site is also quite interesting: strugglers.net/~andy/blog/2006/06/11/new-fileserver-for-home/?seenIEPage=1My current thinking is to cobble up the basic system using old bits of motherboard, memory, CPU, computer case, and PSU I have lying around. Then buy the following hardware: - 1 x Icy dock hot swap drive cage www.icydock.com/product/mb455spf.html
- 1 x 3Ware SATA-II RAID controller card or use software RAID instead
- 2 x gigabit Ethernet NICs
- 5 x Samsung SATA-II HDs
Software wise, it'll be some form of UNIX. A couple of options are available which simplify things: Anyone have any thoughts or experiences on doing a build-your-own system rather than buying off the shelf? Thanks. |
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Post by omega on Jan 30, 2007 20:06:37 GMT 7
Hi Chi,
I don't want to go into details with my answer.
Of course you can build a NAS system on your own. In fact every computer who exports shares or folders is in fact a NAS system.
This leads to the final question what makes the difference between a ordinary computer and a NAS. The main difference is that a NAS is a piece of hardware and software which is dedicated to (almost) a single task: just provide storage over the network. This means, we don't need that much processor power, we don't need big power supplies, we do want to have the software in some flash memory, etc.
The difference between a NAS and a ordinary computer sometimes is very little, so for the N5200 as it is in fact almost a ordinary computer.
But for me one reason to buy a NAS and not to do it on my own was reliability. Form my all day job I know that not everything which theoretically should work really works. So I wanted to use an already tested equipment and even so that is would be quite easy for me to build my own NAS I don't want to spend my time doing it from scratch.
Finally, it depends on you: if you have time playing and trying, do it yourself, it is not that difficult. Otherwise just buy it.
Andreas
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Post by kniteowl on Feb 1, 2007 1:28:29 GMT 7
It is really a matter of preference. I bought the N5200 for home use. At work, we build NASes all the time, tyically we use a Windows OS for the server, but there are lots of UNIX ones out there also. I bought one because by the time I built one, it would cost me about the same as buying one. The bought one looks much better than if I had built one myself, as I don't have a shop to do all the work. I can buy a SFF and mod it to look like a N5200, but then what would the point be. For me, my time is better spent doing other stuff at home. I chose the N5200 as it is a PC, and so if I ever get tired of the Thecus Firmware, I could build my own. At that time, I can say that I built it and it would be almost correct I have lots of spare parts so it technically would not cost me much, but I wanted a device that did not draws a lot of power, which the N5200 provides as it uses a mobile processor. All my spare parts draw too much power and that is something that I did not want. Back to the original statement, it is a matter of preference, choose the option that best fit your situation. Teng |
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Post by gyrfalcon on Feb 4, 2008 4:36:07 GMT 7
1. I read that this system uses Redboot as the bootloader. Can anyone confirm? No, they are using plain GRUB for booting the Linux OS... Just so you know, the Thecus does use REDBOOT or another type of BIOS to bootstrap the system. Without it the system wouldn't be able to start GRUB as a bootloader. |
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Post by fajo on Feb 5, 2008 6:43:51 GMT 7
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blc
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Post by blc on Feb 7, 2008 2:44:10 GMT 7
[quote author=gyrfalcon board=n5200reviews thread=1169822162
Just so you know, the Thecus does use REDBOOT or another type of BIOS to bootstrap the system. Without it the system wouldn't be able to start GRUB as a bootloader.[/quote]
Based on the pictures posted previously, it appears to use Phoenix AwardBIOS under the hood. See <http://thecususergroup.proboards106.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=n5200modifications&thread=1160969119&page=1#1162177297>
If the URL doesn't come up, just search for "VGA port on N5200" on the proboards search page.
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Post by gyrfalcon on Feb 7, 2008 12:26:58 GMT 7
Based on the pictures posted previously, it appears to use Phoenix AwardBIOS under the hood. You're absolutely right, my fault completely. The N5200 uses Phoenix/AwardBIOS. Now if we could just see pictures of the options it offers when the VGA port is hooked up. |
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