Yep my Linksys NSLU2 arrived in the post today and was transformed into
a beautiful Debian Slug!
If, unlike me, you possess a memory, you may recall that I flogged the
2GHz machine I was using as a Web/file/print server on the list
recently, as it was simply overkill for the little bit of work that was
going through it. Living as it was in an unventilated room under the
stairs, it was not only wasted, but generated far too much heat for comfort.
So, I did what I should have done in the first place, and coughed up for
a Slug [1] plus a USB caddy [2] for the 160GB hard drive which I had
laying around. The total cost about £110 for what will hopefully be a
quiet, cool and reliable file and print server. There are some nicer
piccies here [3] for anyone who is interested.
Using the instructions here [4] I was able to complete the conversion in
approximately three hours. Not bad when you consider I rocked a friend's
baby to sleep and cooked a meal for myself and my wife in that time too!
There was only one major glitch, right at the end of the software
installation process, which failed trying to install ispell for some
unknown reason. I kicked off the software install again and it completed
without issue thankfully.
A minor issue however, and the real reason for this email, was that
despite reports to the contrary the installer did not use the hostname
and (static) network configuration I had applied (and tested with a
reboot) to the Linksys prior to flashing it. I would therefore like to
assign a static IP address and change the rather unimaginative default
host name from 'dhcppc0' to something more interesting. I am happy with
the steps needed to do this, but was wondering if there are any pitfalls
associated with it, bearing in mind that there are no services fully
configured yet? I've done a recursive grep on /etc for dhcppc0 and
discovered, I think, all occurrences that will need updating. It's not
something I have done before, so is changing the hostname post-install a
good idea or something generally to be avoided?
Sean
[1]
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/65399
[2]
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/79988
[3]
http://www.cyrius.com/debian/nslu2/gallery.html
[4]
http://www.cyrius.com/debian/nslu2/
