FreeNAS 8.2 with Intel SS4200

[gmit]

I was running happily FreeNAS 8.0 on my SS4200 unit. Then I've done upgrade from GUI to 8.2-P1. It boots, but never becomes available on the network.

Any idea what might be the problem and how to resolve?


P.S. SS4200 unit doesn't have monitor output.

 

[cyberjock]

If you don't have network access, you must hook up a monitor and keyboard. If you hook up the monitor and let us know what the error message is we'll try to help.

 

[gmit]

Unfortunately, that's impossible since SS4200 doesn't have graphics card nor VGA connector.

It has BIOS accessible from serial connection, but, as soon as Linux boots, there's nothing on serial. Is there any way to redirrect Linux output to the com port?

 

[cyberjock]

Not that I know of. Perhaps one of the more senior members can provide a good option.

 

[tingo]

Yes, it is possible to use a serial console with FreeNAS, see here: http://sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/freenas/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=6396&hilit=terminal*+console*#p30785
(Oh, and FreeNAS is based on FreeBSD (www.freebsd.org), not Linux)

 

[cyberjock]

WOW. That's interesting. Almost wish I had a machine I could try this on.

 

[maxim.kazachek]

You can install video card like http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000G29IP0...e=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B000G29IP0 into Intel SS4200... It has PCI Express x1 slot, so it generally should work

 

[gmit]

You can install video card like http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000G29IP0...e=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B000G29IP0 into Intel SS4200... It has PCI Express x1 slot, so it generally should work

Actually, I've had such idea, but, finding a cheap PCI Express graphics card with x1 slot seems to be impossible. :(

 

[zuvai]

Hi Tingo, The link to the serial console doesn't seem to be working can you please repost

 

[tingo]

Can't seem to find that link now, but it is decsribed in the docs: http://doc.freenas.org/index.php/Settings
Also, see this thread for some suggestions: http://forums.freenas.org/showthread.php?7487-headless-install-no-kb-no-mon-only-serial-how-SOLVED
HTH

 

[encryptedbytes]

Actually, I've had such idea, but, finding a cheap PCI Express graphics card with x1 slot seems to be impossible. :(

I'm using a 1x extension with a 1x to 16x adapter and a 16x card. Check it out:

I don't remember the cost of the parts, but the extension and adapter were pretty cheap as was the card because it was an older model and priced for clearance.

 

[bweech]

I use a 16x to 1x PCI-e adapter with riser built in. Amazon has one for less than $10.



http://www.amazon.com/A1store-PCI-E-Express-Adapter-Extension/dp/B008YTX5EM/

 

[garyn_87048]

Did the original networking issue ever get solved? I know this thread is from two years ago, .... so ancient history.

I'm new to freenas and just installed 9.3 running on DOM on an ss4200. I do have a video card installed and I can see the boot process happen. The box is connected to my home network which does have dhcp available. Networking does not setup correctly. I'm looking for tips (the commands) to investigate. I have a keyboard, mouse, and monitor attached.

Thanks!

 

[garyn_87048]

I'm using a 1x extension with a 1x to 16x adapter and a 16x card. Check it out:

I don't remember the cost of the parts, but the extension and adapter were pretty cheap as was the card because it was an older model and priced for clearance.

Yes, I did this setup too. Works great! Now, I'm stalled trying to get the networking going.

 

[seltz]

Yes, I did this setup too. Works great! Now, I'm stalled trying to get the networking going.

Fellow SS4200 user, neat to hear there's still users out there! I managed to set mine up with FreeNAS years ago using just the serial port, but it was a pain and took way too much time.

Just curious, why are you planning to use the SS4200 still for FreeNAS? Asking as I've kindof found the machine a bit slow (I did the ram upgrade too) and am thinking about upgrading - particularly putting a mini-itx or micro-atx case in the same case.

 

[seltz]

Yes, I did this setup too. Works great! Now, I'm stalled trying to get the networking going.

As far as networking, have you tried seeing if the ip for the machine appears on your router?

 

[HoneyBadger]

Aside from the obvious "WHAT YEAR IS IT" joke ... please, no one put ZFS on that SS4200. Single-core Celeron 1.6GHz and 512MB of RAM is so far below the minimum specs it's comical. If you throw 2GB in there it might be passable for UFS use, but that's been deprecated in 9.3 ... so, yeah.

 

[seltz]

So, I'm one of the crazies that did ZFS (with a 2GB RAM upgrade) years ago, but the server has been powered down for nearly a year -- I hit my limits with the machine when I realized I wanted to run crashplan (i.e. java) on it.

I'm mostly planning to either put in C2750 or xeon d board with at least 16gb ram now. I still have a weird attachment to the ss4200 case so I may follow the motherboard guide in https://sites.google.com/site/digitalnotsense/home/intel-ss4200 . Did some measurements this morning and it can fit a mini-itx and should also fit in a micro-atx board.

 

[HoneyBadger]

I'd be worried about drive temperatures in that case personally. Although it might be able to make a neat pfSense box if you can shoehorn another NIC into it.

 

[seltz]

Curious, why would you be worried about drive temperatures in this case relative to say a typical mini-itx/small-form-factor case?

There's a couple of fans in the case in addition to the psu fan. Despite the smaller size I almost feel like it's a better setup for air to pass over/under the drives compared to a traditional atx case.