View Full Version : Linksys NSLU2....
Not a competitor, rather a complement to the Nokia ITs. The Linksys NSLU2 (http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1118334819312&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper)is supposed to be a simple NAS device for the home: you plug it into a spare ethernet port on your router, attach one or two USB drives to it and voila, networked storage.
However the little gadget has attracted the hacker crowd who have repurposed it into a small, very low power, Linux machine (http://www.nslu2-linux.org/). If you're bored with the Nokia ITs hacking around with this could keep you entertained for days and weeks. I use it as a low power, always-on proxy server, and keep exploring other uses for it.
i have one. Nice piece of HW but a bit slow. To have protected drives, the usb drives must be formated ext2.
GeneralAntilles
2008-10-29, 06:02
Honestly, I'd go with a Beagle Board (http://beagleboard.org/) or Overo (http://www.gumstix.com/platforms.html) over the NSLU2 these days.
iancumihai
2008-10-29, 08:31
i have one also. great little device and a huge free time consumer :) if you happen to install anything else then debian on it.
Honestly, I'd go with a Beagle Board (http://beagleboard.org/) or Overo (http://www.gumstix.com/platforms.html) over the NSLU2 these days.
OMAP3 is nice, but those boards cost 3 times as much as a sluggy without even considering a case or PSU. For many applications you just don't need all that horsepower.
GeneralAntilles
2008-10-29, 11:10
OMAP3 is nice, but those boards cost 3 times as much as a sluggy without even considering a case or PSU. For many applications you just don't need all that horsepower.
Hrm, it has gone down a bit since the last time I looked.
darethehair
2008-10-29, 12:49
I have two of the NSLUs from eBay myself, but I believe that they are discontinued now :(
I currently run webcams on both of them, as described in these articles (though I am only doing the 'simple' case):
http://johnarthur.wordpress.com/2008/03/25/a-high-resolution-ip-webcam/
http://johnarthur.wordpress.com/2008/03/29/further-notes-on-the-nslu2-and-quickcam-pro-9000/
http://johnarthur.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/a-megapixel-time-lapse-camera-system/
http://johnarthur.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/a-battery-powered-time-lapse-camera/
deeteroderdas
2008-10-29, 15:54
I use mine as my home Asterisk (VoIP) server and as a Samba Fileserver.
Mine is used as video streamer for my HTPC, music streaming for my 770, ftp server, and controls all my X-10 modules in the house through cron jobs. I've got several NSLU2 running with linux. For some reason the older ones came with the CPU clocked down to 166MHz, but it's really easy to move the CPU back to 266MHz. They are a great little workhorse for a bunch of apps and can be picked up on ebay for about $40 including shipping!
While I don't have a NSLU2, I think they are great additions to your home network. I have a Synology DS-106j and it uses the same optware packages as the Linksys slug. I use it as a Asterisk server, data backup, and webserver. For $40 though, the NSLU2 sounds like a deal.
I have a NSLU2 (aka slug) running mpd connected to the living room stereos with a usb sound card, it's very nice.
I've used it for other purposes before, but the specs are really constrained. 32MB of ram is too little to run php and mysql, so I just got a used mini-itx case and board with VIA cpu + 1GB of ram. It's not as small as a slug, but as it sits on top of a bookshelf, it's hardly an issue.
Best thing about the slug is that you can run debian on it, so you have a large repository of packages available. But the hardware is *really* limited.
The hardware of the slug is limited but you can find ways around that. My slug runs debian and has torrentflux with SQLite and LightTPD.
Ghostface
2009-02-01, 12:08
Yep slugs are indeed awesome. I am doing plenty of stuff with them.
Btw. I use my n810 with irreco and mmpc for controlling everything :)
I have 2:
2x Slug 266Mhz Both running debian etch. First slug has been running for >1 year; second slug is a recent addition.
1. Slug: Hardware:
1 TB External HDD
2xUSB Hubs
2 Gb USB Stick (OS)
USB Soundcard with Optical Output (hooked up to my Amp) USBUIRT for sending IR Signals (controlling TV, AMP etc.)
SIS-PM USB controllable power extension lead (4 sockets)
Software:
twonky media server
mpd
lirc
lighthttpd+php
Usage: Used to play music, control my IR devices (TV,AMP etc.), toggle the cabinet lights, stream media to the PS3, webserver etc.
2. Slug Hardware:
2 Gb USB Stick (OS)
USB Soundcard
D-Link Wlan Stick
Software:
esd sound server
got twonky,mpd and lighthttpd on it but its currently not running
Usage: Located in my bathroom, hooked up to a 2.1 System.
1. Slug streams whatever mpd is playing to this slug so I just have to turn the sound system on (1 button press) in order to hear the same music as in the main room.
I am running an esd sound server on it which is 99% of the time 100% in sync with the output of the main slug (mpc stop/play gets it quickly back in sync tho should anything be off).
I've never had a slug but wanted to add from the opposite side of things that any of the "WRT routers" these days seem to play the same sort of role. In particular the Asus WL-500GP does a good job of bridging the gap... low cost, but with 2 USB2.0 ports and full wifi capabilities. It all comes down to questions of purpose though... OMAP3 is awesome for low power media devices (that's what it's designed for after all), but it's not a network access point/storage device/ethernet switch/etc.
If you're looking for something more along the slug lines but with a bit more "beef" in terms of hardware, I found the next logical step is to move up to one of the embedded VIA or x86 boards that will offer you the same sort of network functionality/features, but with some more expansion and performance options: mini-box.com has a great set of them, with the ALIX series being my personal favourites for network-oriented features (and the prices of course are very favourable).
attila77
2009-02-02, 23:00
Best thing about the slug is that you can run debian on it, so you have a large repository of packages available. But the hardware is *really* limited.
If you're good with soldering there are documented hardware hacks how to expand the NSLU2 to 64, or even 128 megs of RAM, and, if 2 USB ports are not enough (shameless plug) my own hack of adding 3 more USB ports for a total of 5. The cool thing about the NSLU2 is that it can run ages on batteries or an UPS. It's really a shame that there was no hardware 'followup' from Linksys, the NSLU2 hardware is now about 5 (five !) years old.
Ghostface
2009-02-03, 08:42
I've never had a slug but wanted to add from the opposite side of things that any of the "WRT routers" these days seem to play the same sort of role. In particular the Asus WL-500GP does a good job of bridging the gap... low cost, but with 2 USB2.0 ports and full wifi capabilities. It all comes down to questions of purpose though... OMAP3 is awesome for low power media devices (that's what it's designed for after all), but it's not a network access point/storage device/ethernet switch/etc.
If you're looking for something more along the slug lines but with a bit more "beef" in terms of hardware, I found the next logical step is to move up to one of the embedded VIA or x86 boards that will offer you the same sort of network functionality/features, but with some more expansion and performance options: mini-box.com has a great set of them, with the ALIX series being my personal favourites for network-oriented features (and the prices of course are very favourable).
However the power consumption on the slug is way slower than on any of the embedded VIA or x86 board (correct me if I am wrong tho). Mine eats about 3 Watt on idle and 6 Watt on full load with everything.
Also the price point, nowadays you can get a slug for as low as 50$.
And apart from that it's perfectly silent, creates no real heat or anything and is very small.
However the power consumption on the slug is way slower than on any of the embedded VIA or x86 board (correct me if I am wrong tho). Mine eats about 3 Watt on idle and 6 Watt on full load with everything.
Also the price point, nowadays you can get a slug for as low as 50$.
And apart from that it's perfectly silent, creates no real heat or anything and is very small.
The price point definitely can't be beat, but you're not getting a new product for $50 (I assume that Ebay sort of pricing). The power/heat debate depends on the boards you're looking at. The VIA ones do offer a lot more horsepower (you're talking in the Ghz range), but take more power and require heat sinks/etc. On the opposite side of things, the Geode based systems such as the ALIX boards are on the same power/heat levels as the slugs and routers (MIPS based); my Alix 3c3 runs at 3W on linux idle and about 5-6W with the Wifi radio running in AP mode (the wifi card is a high power card though which is NOT the same as you get in most wireless routers) and a few servers and things running on it. No heat sink required, and the Geode will even give you thinks like hardware encryption support for added throughput, etc.
Plus you're talking 256 mb RAM, a proper CF card for storage (or IDE adapter if you want), and real USB 2.0 throughput (not sure about the slug, but I know on the Asus routers although it's a USB 2.0 port, the CPU simply doesn't have enough power to give you maximum throughput... try copying a large file to the slug and see how long it takes compared to copying that same file to the drive connected via a USB 2.0 port on your computer... you'll see the difference, and it won't be because of the network speed). You can also get with sound options, etc. Again in my mind it's a nice alternative/step up from the slug if you need a bit more performance while keeping the original benefits. (The various options for ethernet ports VS mini PCI slots VS other ports such as audio/VGA/etc is also pretty handy).
In terms of cost, it's a bit more expensive than a $50 slug, but you have to remember too that you're buying new, still manufactured product and you're getting something with a bit more kick to it. In my mind the pricing is on par with Beagle or any of the other modern embedded system boards... again just with a different purpose/target in mind.
attila77
2009-02-03, 16:48
The price point definitely can't be beat, but you're not getting a new product for $50 (I assume that Ebay sort of pricing).
Amazon sells them for 62.99$, apparently new. The Geode chips in the ALIX boards are unfortunately EOL-d by AMD, too, so get them while you can as they're likely going to be in the same status soon.
opposite side of things, the Geode based systems such as the ALIX boards are on the same power/heat levels as the slugs and routers (MIPS based); my Alix 3c3 runs at 3W on linux idle and about 5-6W with the Wifi radio running
The slug takes about 2.5W under full load (+whatever the USB devices you plug in), and less then 0.5W on idle - I guess it depends on application whether you consider that the same power level.
the slug, but I know on the Asus routers although it's a USB 2.0 port, the CPU simply doesn't have enough power to give you maximum throughput... try copying a large file to the slug and see
Yes, it's CPU bound (tops out around 5-6MB/s), but the CPU is quite a bit quicker than the MIPS ones found in routers.
product and you're getting something with a bit more kick to it. In my mind the pricing is on par with Beagle or any of the other modern embedded system boards... again just with a different purpose/target in mind.
Yes, the (architecture) descendants of the slug would be boards like the beagleboard or gumstix. Remember, though, that you are paying extra (either in $ or in terms of size/power) when going for x86 on an embedded platform, which is often unnecessary if you are sticking to linux.
How to Know You're A Geek # 86:
You think "slug" starts with an "N" and ends with a "2" !
:D
sjgadsby
2009-02-03, 18:59
How to Know You're A Geek # 86:
You think "slug" starts with an "N" and ends with a "2" !
That's especially humorous coming from the guy who has campaigned for pronouncing "chroot" as a word.
The "N" in "NSLU2" is clearly silent. Much like the "G" in Gnome, err, isn't.
Never mind.
Amazon sells them for 62.99$, apparently new. The Geode chips in the ALIX boards are unfortunately EOL-d by AMD, too, so get them while you can as they're likely going to be in the same status soon.
Just to clarify something (I noticed this popping up on a lot of sites)... the Geodes aren't EOL-d, AMD simply has declared that they're not doing further architecture development on them. All that means is that they've decided it's not worth investing the money in trying to make them any better than they currently are; it does NOT mean that they are planning to stop manufacturing them.
I'm still waiting to find an ARM-based system that is available as an OEM board and offers the same sort of expansion/networking options as any of the stuff mentioned previously in this thread. A beagle board sounds awesome, for example, but it's targeted as a media/thin client type of device... until I can find a lead on an ARM/OMAP board designed with ethernet ports or at least miniPCI/WIFI expansion options things like ALIX are still the road of choice.
attila77
2009-02-04, 22:45
Just to clarify something (I noticed this popping up on a lot of sites)... the Geodes aren't EOL-d, AMD simply has declared that they're not doing further architecture development on them. it does NOT mean that they are planning to stop manufacturing them.
Yes, I might have been unclear, so, the point you will not have a 'next' ALIX with a next generation (incremental) Geode, they will have to switch to Atoms or something similar, just as Gumstix switched from Intel/Marvel PXAs to TI OMAP3s.
I'm still waiting to find an ARM-based system that is available as an OEM board and offers the same sort of expansion/networking options as any of the stuff mentioned previously in this thread.
Sounds like gumstix to me ?
Sounds like gumstix to me ?
That's what I've kind of been hoping for, but since the switch to Overo (OMAP 3) a lot of the options they had for the old stuff has been chopped/I assume is in the process of being rebuilt/redesigned. I'm still a little curious as to what modules they'll end up making available for the Overo CPU board (the one expansion they have now is a good start, but still lacking a lot... namely, network connectivity which at the moment seems to only be possible through USB attached devices). Costs are also higher there, though that kind of makes sense given the relatively new development cycle...
attila77
2009-02-06, 01:37
That's what I've kind of been hoping for, but since the switch to Overo (OMAP 3) a lot of the options they had for the old stuff has been chopped/I assume is in the process of being rebuilt/redesigned.
Yes, as per http://www.gumstix.net/Hardware/view/Hardware/Product-Roadmap-Overo/112.html 100/10 Ethernet is actually the next expected module. Wifi/BT enabled motherboards are also on the way, so I guess in a few months it will be a very capable ARM platform in a very-very small package - just as gumstix should be :) As it's fairly new, there is a price premium, of course, leaving Geode based SBC-s somewhere between it and the NSLU2 (both price and performance-wise).
attila77
2009-03-17, 22:35
Just to inform NSLU2 people that there is a new kid in town:
Sheevaplug (pogoplug having probably near-identical hardware), comparison by none other than Martin Michlmayr:
* Marvell Kirkwood 6281 CPU at 1.2 GHz with 256 KB L2 cache (compared to a 266 MHz CPU)
* 512 MB RAM (compared to lousy 32 MB)
* 512 MB flash, enough for a basic Debian installation (compared to 8 MB)
* Gigabit Ethernet (compared to 100 Mb) and no proprietary microcode required
* 1x USB and 1x SD (compared to 2x USB: the only advantage the NSLU2 has)
* ... and finally: mini-USB with serial console and JTAG: while Debian on the NSLU2 works well and is stable, we regularly had users whose system would no longer boot and there was no good way to figure out why. The serial console on the SheevaPlug actually allows users to figure out what's going on.
All this for a measly 100$. If it really lives up to the expectations, this might very well a worthy replacement for the venerable NSLU2 (admittedly quite long in the tooth by now).
Follow the details on:
http://www.cyrius.com/journal/debian/kirkwood/sheevaplug
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