This is a list of steps and resources used to set up my Dlink DNS-323 RevB
Phase 1: Upgrade firmware
Upgrade to the latest firmware
Alternatively, use the custom alt-f firmware.
Phase 2: Correctly format 4k drives
Western Digital 4k sector drives (EARS) are not correctly formatted by the DNS-323, and the partitions must be setup manually to align with the cylinder boundaries.
Phase 3: FFP
Phase 3.1: Standard FFP
Install Fonz Fun_plug (FFP) and enable ssh. Then setup additional packages and install bash, dnsmasq, screen, sudo and vim ffp packages
Advantage: Installs ssh, telnet, bash and other useful tools
Disadvantage: Files stored on / ramdisk so have to replace modified config files each reboot. Also there is still git package
Phase 3.2: Optware
Install optware which allows many more packages to be installed, which allows git installation
Disadvantage: Still have to workaround ramdisk issues and fragments package management – some built-in, some in ffp, some in optware
Phase 4: Debian chroot
Phase 4.1: Debian Etch
Download and install Debian Etch chroot.
- Upgrade via apt-get to Debian Lenny.
- Install samba, using the standard smb.conf as a base.
- Create standard user account, lockdown ssh access
Advantage: No more ramdisk issues, more control over package management and running a real linux distro
Disadvantage: Running an old version of Debian (stable) which is arm, not the newer armel architecture
Phase 5: Alt-f Replacement Firmware
Debian Squeeze (debian-testing) is available only in the newer ‘armel’ architecture, not in the older ‘arm’ architecture. The default firmware is arm and therefore cannot run squeeze. Alt-f is an alternative custom firmware which is running on the ‘armel’ architecture as well as supporting some things that the default does not, such as ext4. It can be run ontop of the default firmware, but that has the same problems ramdisk problems as before. It an replace the default firmware by flashing the device but that seems a little dangerous and with limited benefit. This may be required is Lenny is no longer supported.
Phase 5.1: Debian Squeeze Chroot
Download, create and install Debian Squeeze chroot.
Advantage: A newer version (unstable) of Debian.




