Custom firmware - OpenMSS

OpenMSS is a replacement firmware for the Maxtor Shared Storage. It adds some extended functionality to Maxtor’s original firmware. Some of them are:

• Telnet enabled
• /opt area for storing custom startup scripts and binaries.
• ipkg for remote software install

Current version is mss122_openmss2

This firmware is currently experimental. There have been reported no problems installing this firmware yet, but you would need some soldering experience or a friend that are able to help you if something goes wrong. The current telnet daemon supplied with the firmware does not require any authentication, so it should be replaced with dropbear as soon as you have installed the firmware if your MSS is not on a secure network.

Installing OpenMSS

Please note that if you have openmss122_openmss1 or earlier you must remove the old opt directory before installing the new firmware. (rm -R /shares/mss-hdd/__opt)

• Download mss122_openmss2.bin
• install the firmware via http://mss/advanced/advanced_systemmaintenance_systemupdate_1.asp (where mss is your mss’s ip address).

Adding extra packages

• telnet to the mss. No password will be asked.
• get list of packages

  
# ipkg update
Downloading http://ipkg.openmss.org/experimental/Packages
Updated list of available packages in /opt/lib/ipkg/lists/openmss
# ipkg list
busybox - 1.0-6 - Standalone rescue shell with tons of builtin utilities.
dp500serv - 1.0-1 - KiSS streaming server for DP-5xx series.
dropbear - 0.46-4 - a small SSH 2 server/client designed for small memory environments.
lsof - 4.75-1 - A utility which lists open files on a Linux/UNIX system.
ncftp - 3.1.8-1 - An improved FTP client.
strace - 4.5.11-1 - trace system calls and signals.
vsftpd - 2.0.3-1 - a fast and secure FTP server

• Install dropbear (this will take some time as it will create the rsa/dsa keys)

  
# ipkg install dropbear
Installing dropbear (0.46-4) to root...
Downloading http://ipkg.openmss.org/experimental/dropbear_0.46-4_mipsel.ipk
Configuring dropbear