Hacking the NSLU2

I recently ordered a NSLU2 and a 8GB memory stick (total cost: €95,- ex VAT) with the intention to install Debian on it. The end result would be an ultra cheap, compact, low power linux server with still respectable specifications (8GB storage, 32MB ram, decent CPU, 2 USB2.0 ports, 100Mbit ethernet). Of course it's no match against modern desktop/server hardware, but it's enough for simple tunnel/proxy/storage work.

I used to hack linksys wrt's and asus WL500G's in the past - it required a bit of hacking (especially when things went wrong), hand-built my own OpenWRT firmwares, ran wireless mashing networks on them. Good for hours of fun.

However, hacking the NSLU2 has become so trivial, anyone can do it. There's actually a Debian installer for the NSLU2, but it's broken in Debian 4.0r1. But the alternative installation instructions are real easy as well:

• partition the usb disk
• unpack a tarfile containing the debian base system
• flash the NSLU2 through the webinterface with a custom Debian etch firmware.

That's all there is to it. At first I thought something wen't wrong: I couldn't ping or connect and the Ready/Status led was flashing strangely, but the flashing actually meant the system was up and running - the IP just changed. Detailed instructions on all of this can be found here. Remember that the base install doesn't know about the limited resources of the NSLU2 and the characteristics of flash drives, so there is some optimization to be done.

I'll probably be using this mini server for the following:

• Running my local mDNSProxyResponderPosix
• Running a local XBMC proxy
• IPV6 endpoint
• Waking my Mac remotely (Wake-on-lan)
• Possibly some quiet, low-power network storage (by adding an 2.5" external drive with power over USB)