VDR PRELIMINARY USER GUIDE

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Project name:

201202 VDR
Document title:
Preliminary user documentation

P2: Added info about preparing a factory prepared Critical link card for SD card boot-up
P3: Updated info according to new filesystem.

P3
18.10.2013 Prelimnary
P2
09.04.2013 Prelimnary
P1
20.12.2012 Preliminary
Rev Issue Date Reason for Issue
Project no:
Contract no:
201202
Jotron File Name:
201202-vdr-prelim-user-guide.docx

MOLM
MOLM
MOLM
Made by
Customer Doc.no:
Jotron File no:

Checked by Approved by

VDR PRELIMINARY USER GUIDE

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Table of contents
1

CHANGES SINCE LAST ISSUE....................................................................................... 3

ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS ............................................................................ 3

REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 3

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 4
4.1
4.2
4.3

SSD ................................................................................................................................... 5
5.1

ABOUT WEBMIN .......................................................................................................... 4

INITIAL IP ADDRESS AND HOSTNAME ............................................................................. 4
STARTUP TIME ............................................................................................................ 5
SMART STATUS ........................................................................................................... 5

SERVICES ........................................................................................................................ 5
6.1
SMB .......................................................................................................................... 5
6.2
NFS .......................................................................................................................... 6
6.3
FTP ........................................................................................................................... 6
6.4
WEBMIN ..................................................................................................................... 7
6.5
SSH .......................................................................................................................... 7
6.6
SYSTEM TIME - NTP .................................................................................................... 7
6.6.1 Providing time using an NTP server ..................................................................... 7
6.6.2 Providing time manually ....................................................................................... 8
6.7
ZEROCONF.............................................................................................................. 8
6.8
INSTALLING AND UPDATING SOFTWARE .......................................................................... 8
6.9
BACKUP AND RESTORE OF CONFIGURATION ................................................................... 8

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1 Changes since last issue

This is the first issue.

2 Abbreviations and definitions

Smb
nfs
ntp
ftp
ssh
SSD
Vdr

Server message block

Network file system
Network time protocol
File transfere protocol
secure shell
Solid state disk
Vessel data recorder

3 References

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4 Introduction
The vdr capsule processing unit is based on an ARM processor running embedded linux. Key
features are:
300-450 mHz arm core (TI am1808) with 128 mbyte DDR.
SATA2 interfaced SSD disk
100mb network interface
Supports smb,nfs,ftp,ntp,zeroconf,ssh protocols
Webmin configuration suite for extending services.
Both kernel and root file system are booted from on-board flash.
All the services are based on open source software, and further documentation may be
obtained from the project community pages found on the internet.
In this preliminary release the above mentioned services/protocols are setup in a simple and
generic way, enabling direct access to the storage media with no security options enabled. If
required, the configuration may be changed online using the Webmin interface. Be aware that
changes in configuration will affect the root file system as a permanent action. It is reasonable
to take a configuration backup before the file system is modified (see chapter 6 for details.)
Please forward any considerations / requirements to Jotron to have it incorporated in the stock
file system /kernel if possible.

4.1 About Webmin

Webmin is a general purpose configuration system. Although some steps have been taken to
adapt Webmin to an embedded platform, there are many options in Webmin that are not
applicable to an embedded platform.
Webmin is very configurable and there is international language support built in if required.
Accessible modules may also be configured for each user.

4.2 Initial IP address and Hostname

Hostname is initially set to vdr. This name can be used to access the unit over the network.
By default the vdr will use the fixed IP address 192.168.2.1. In order to change this address do
as follows:
Attach a computer with a network interface using the 192.168.2.x network.
Log in using an internet browser with the address: vdr:10000 or vdr.local:10000 with
User: admin password: password
Select the Networking/Network Configuration module.
Select Network Interfaces - check that the Activated at boot tab is selected.
Click on eth0 and configure the network as required, both static IP and dhcp is
supported.

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Do not reconfigure the usb0 interface.

To change the hostname, select the Hostname and DNS client in the Network configuration
setup and change the hostname. The hostname is distributed on the network for clients to
access. In some linux environments hostname.local must be used.
If require, default gateway and dns server can be set using routing and gateways and
Hostname and DNS Client settings respectively.
After modifying IP and hostname, a reboot of the vdr unit may be required. In the
System/Bootup and Shutdown module a reboot can be issued from webmin.

4.3 Startup time

The vdr will boot up in about 45 seconds.

5 SSD
The SSD disk is using linux ext4 file system . The drive contains one partition covering the
whole storage media. Disk space info is available in the webmin System information module.

5.1 Smart status

Smart status may be obtained in the Hardware/Smart drive status module of webmin. Some
standard parameters can be viewed custom parameters may be available depending on the
implementation of the disk software. These parameters are listed as unknown.

6 Services
The vdr provides several services that can be used.

6.1 SMB
The vdr capsule is running version 3.5.6 of the samba server exporting the SSD as a shared
device. From windows (XP) do as follows:
Activate windows explorer (My documents My computer)
In the address field write as follows: \\vdr
The VDR shared folder should appear.
Click to open or right click to map a drive letter to the share.
Alternatively use the network browser .

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The SSD drive is now available in read/write modus. The Lost+found catalog is part of the
ext4 file system and cannot be removed. The samba server may be configured by use of
webmin, and the configuration may be backed up.

6.2 NFS
The vdr capsule is supporting NFS version 3. To mount the SSD drives on a linux machine, use
the following mount command as root:
mount t nfs vdr.local:/media/sda1 <mount catalog>
The SSD should now be accessable from your local catalog. The NFS server may be further
configured and adapted using webmin.

6.3 FTP
The FTP server may be used as a read/write service for logging of data, but does also support
a read only service available for read-out of data.
Note that when setting user password in webmin there are some restrictions that may be
confusing and that will not produce any error messages. Please construct your password to be
between 5 and 8 characters including both letters and numbers.
Using FTP as a service for read/write logging:
A specific user should be created with password (use webmin). The users home
catalog should be /media/sda1 to access the partition used for logging.
Using FTP for readout only:
Modify the guest user account to use of a valid password.
Make sure that the guest user account is enabled.
Login using either the guest account or as anonymous both requires the guest
password.
By using a ftp client, login using the following command line:
ftp vdr (linux: vdr.local)
username anonymous, guest or specific user
A valid password
Use of a more advanced FTP client such as filezilla is recommended.

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6.4 Webmin
The webmin configuration suite is a web based tool for setting up, configuring and monitoring
the VDR unit. Webmin may be accessed by the following URL in a web browser having access
to the network:
URL: Vdr:10000
Username: admin
Password: password
The default password for the admin user should be changed to avoid potential unauthorized
login. It is possible to add additional users and tailor the modules of webmin for each user, thus
restricting access.
For further info and documentation of webmin see www.webmin.com.

6.5 SSH
It is possible to log in on to the vdr system using SSH. Users and passwords must be set up
before login is possible.

6.6 System time - NTP

In order to have correct timestamps when creating files, the real time clock in the operating
should be set. NB! There is no battery backed-up hardware clock in the vdr unit, so an
external time reference must be provided!
6.6.1

Providing time using an NTP server

If possible provide a NTP server available for the vdr unit somewhere in the system. The vdr
buoy will then be able to maintain time automatically and run with UTC time.
For some reason, the System time setup of Time server sync does not set up its
synchronization schedule correctly, so a dedicated Cron job must be created.
In Webmin System/Scheduled Cron Jobs Add a new job as follows:
In Execute cron job as select root.
Set active to yes
Set command: /usr/bin/ntpdate x.y.z.v >/dev/null 2>&1 where x.y.z.v is the IP
address or name of a network time server.
Examine the log in /var/log/messages to verify the execution if required. Removing
>/dev/null 2>1 gives more information, but will try to activate send-mail for an e-mail
report.

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6.6.2

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Providing time manually

Time can be updated by use of a SSH connection using the unix date command for both
reading and writing time/date. The date command is a busybox application with somewhat
redused capabilities. Setting the date can be done with the following format:
date 010113542013 (date-month-time-year 01 jan 13:54 2013)

6.7 ZEROCONF
The vdr makes use of the Avahi server to implement zeroconf. At the moment the hostname
(vdr) is exported and can be used to access the unit. More services can be added but this is
not implemented in webmin.

6.8 Installing and updating software

Webmin contains a module for installing software packages. This may be used in the future to
install updates or even add optional software. A software package requires special construction
and will be created and distributed by Jotron when required.
To update/install a package:
In Webmin activate the Software Packages module located in the System section. If
this is the first time it is activated an error message will be displayed.
o In this case activate Module Config in the upper left corner of the Software
Packages.
o Select RPM as Package management system.
o Select None for Package update system.
o Press save to return to the parent form which now should be displayed
correctly.
The easiest way to install a package is to select From uploaded file and browse for
the required rpm file.
Press the Install button the rpm file to be installed is downloaded and the install
package form is displayed. Here several options can be set. Instructions about these
settings will be given when a package is released.
Press install to install the package.

6.9 Backup and restore of configuration

When a vdr unit is configured as required, a backup of the different services may be done. The
backup file can be applied on new units with factory defaults in order to clone the configuration.
When the vdr is configured accordingly, select Webmin/Backup Configuration Files.

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Select the Backup now tab.

Select the modules to backup while simultaneous pressing the ctrl key.
Select backup medium Download in browser is the easiest method.
Press backup now. After a while the backup file can be downloaded and stored.
To restore a configuration:
Select the Restore Now tab
Select the modules to restore (typically select all use shift key)
Select Uploaded file and browse for a backup file.
Select Restore now. After a while the backup will be applied.
.

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