Hi, allI recently created a small Windows app for ReadyNAS series of NAS, which will let user to start, monitor and shutdown a ReadyNAS system from task tray.It emulates RAIDar Protocol to retrieve information from the system as RAIDar.net by Pasadena and ReadyNAS Monitor by DotBlog do. I thank both of them for showing one can utilize RAIDar Protocol to get information directly from the system, but I want some more features: Smaller space to monitor the system: This app indicates status of the system by color of task tray icon so as not to bother user as long as the system is running without problem. If something wrong happens to the system, this app will notify user instantly. Power off when the system is not needed: This app can make power on/off of the system synchronized with client PC so that the power consumption will be minimized. (This feature will be useless for heavy users who run their systems 24/7 though...)I am testing this app with my ReadyNAS Ultra 2 and Duo and it looks working fine. Thus, I want to know if it will work in other environment especially with other ReadyNAS systems like NV+, Ultra 4, Ultra 6 and so on.So, I will appreciate it if someone take time to test it and report the result with the name of ReadyNAS system. Also, any comments or suggestions will be welcomed.The Project Home: NAS Herder(This app is developed by VB.NET and runs on Windows 7 and Windows XP (probably Windows Vista also) with .NET Framework 4.0 installed.)Edit: Changed screenshot.

I agree it would be helpful to have disk space used/free in byte units (not percent).

I'll test it for you when I receive my machine in the next couple of days.

Looks good, tested with my NVX and Ultra 6 and it performs as designed. I like that I can remote power on the unit without having to muck about with a magic packet generator. On my 1100 (under 4.1.8 T9) I get an unhandled exception but i think it's just a straightforward fan max RPM issue (the 1100 runs its little fans fast, especially at boot):************** Exception Text **************System.ArgumentOutOfRangeException: Value of '6500' is not valid for 'Value'. 'Value' should be between 'Minimum' and 'Maximum'.Parameter name: Value at System.Windows.Forms.NumericUpDown.set_Value(Decimal value) at NasHerder.Form2.Form2_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e) at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e) at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl() at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl() at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)************** Loaded Assemblies **************mscorlib Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.237 (RTMGDR.030319-2300) CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v4.0.30319/mscorlib.dll----------------------------------------NasHerder Assembly Version: 0.3.7.6 Win32 Version: 0.3.7.6 CodeBase: file://nas1/backup/NAS/NASHerder/NasHerder.exe----------------------------------------Microsoft.VisualBasic Assembly Version: 10.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 10.0.30319.1 built by: RTMRel CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/v4.0_10.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll----------------------------------------System Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.236 built by: RTMGDR CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll----------------------------------------System.Core Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.233 built by: RTMGDR CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Core/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Core.dll----------------------------------------System.Windows.Forms Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.235 built by: RTMGDR CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll----------------------------------------System.Drawing Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1 built by: RTMRel CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll----------------------------------------System.Runtime.Remoting Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1 (RTMRel.030319-0100) CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Runtime.Remoting/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Runtime.Remoting.dll----------------------------------------System.Configuration Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1 (RTMRel.030319-0100) CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll----------------------------------------System.Xml Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.233 built by: RTMGDR CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll----------------------------------------System.Security Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1 (RTMRel.030319-0100) CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Security/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Security.dll---------------------------------------- I tried setting the max fan rpm to 7000 but it stops at 6000. Note also there are three fans in the 1100 (if you are interested in supporting the 1100).I'll upgrade to 4.1.8 proper and repeat but I suspect the exception will remain. I'll test it out on my Duo, Pro and Ultra Plus when I get to work.Thanks!

Hi,I tested your app with 2100 and it seems to work.Pasadena

emoacht wrote:Hi, allI recently created a small Windows app for ReadyNAS series of NAS, which will let user to start, monitor and shutdown a ReadyNAS system from task tray.Do you have any screenshots? There is another thread on this forum, "Vista Gadget" that was started in 2007: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=13793 -- unfortunately, it did not appear to get any traction though many people appeared to want one (ie, all us posters were not programmers!).I like the Win7 Gadgets. I don't use many, but I think they are a great concept and would love it if somebody could create a ReadyNAS gadget. I have:Weather for my zipNetwork MeterCPU UsageHard drive usage (I map my NAS root drive, so I can tell its free space - but that is all :( )I intend to look into both your app and DotBlog's (though his seems to be a browser page; with just 1 NAS, I could keep my FrontView open instead). I just want something my peripheral vision can glance at - like my CPU temps/RAM/network.In any event, thanks for this effort! There is a Yahoo! Gadget, but I do not want to install it on my PC as I had issues with the Yahoo Gadget "engine" sucking memory & CPU on my previous XP install. Maybe that can be ported?

Beta Tester Wanted (new Windows app for ReadyNAS)

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emoacht
Aspirant
Oct 17, 2011
Released updated version (0.5.1).

Changes from previous version (0.4.0)

Changed window design.

Mackila

Aspirant

Oct 21, 2011

Error with french Windows 7 and some Readynas Pro.

Raw NAS data is :

###0,016###00:1F:33:EA:0C:BF
Mack-NAS
192.168.1.12
temp!!1!!status=ok::descr=55.0C/131.0F::expected=0-65C/32-149F
temp!!2!!status=ok::descr=34.5C/94.1F::expected=0-60C/32-140F
fan!!2!!status=ok::descr=2163RPM::type=CPU
fan!!1!!status=ok::descr=1875RPM::type=SYS
ups!!1!!status=not_present::descr=Not present
volume!!1!!status=ok::descr=Volume C: RAID Level X2, Redundant; 4041 GB (62%) of 6484 GB used
disk!!1!!status=ok::descr=Channel 1: Hitachi HDS722020ALA330 1863 GB, 42C/107F
disk!!2!!status=ok::descr=Channel 2: Hitachi HDS722020ALA330 1863 GB, 42C/107F
disk!!3!!status=ok::descr=Channel 3: Hitachi HDS722020ALA330 1863 GB, 40C/104F
disk!!4!!status=ok::descr=Channel 4: WDC WD1002FBYS-02A6B0 931 GB, 42C/107F
disk!!5!!status=ok::descr=Channel 5: WDC WD1002FBYS-02A6B0 931 GB, 43C/109F
disk!!6!!status=ok::descr=Channel 6: WDC WD1002FBYS-02A6B0 931 GB, 42C/107F
model!!0!!mode=pro::descr=ReadyNAS Pro::arch=x86
RAIDiator!!version=4.2.15,time=1287179621
66

Exception stacktrace is :

System.InvalidCastException: La conversion de la chaîne "55.0" en type 'Integer' n'est pas valide. ---> System.FormatException: Le format de la chaîne d'entrée est incorrect.
à Microsoft.VisualBasic.CompilerServices.Conversions.ParseDouble(String Value, NumberFormatInfo NumberFormat)
à Microsoft.VisualBasic.CompilerServices.Conversions.ToInteger(String Value)
--- Fin de la trace de la pile d'exception interne ---
à Microsoft.VisualBasic.CompilerServices.Conversions.ToInteger(String Value)
à NasHerder.Form1.RaidarAnalyze(String returnRaidar)
à NasHerder.Form1.RaidarShare()
à NasHerder.Form1.PingInitiate(Object sender, EventArgs e)
à System.Windows.Forms.Timer.OnTick(EventArgs e)
à System.Windows.Forms.Timer.TimerNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
à System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

Line 1573 in file Form1.vb :
Why do you try to store something that looks "55.0" into an Integer ?

emoacht
Aspirant
Oct 21, 2011
Thanks, Mackila

Mackila wrote:

Why do you try to store something that looks "55.0" into an Integer ?

Yes, this is a bug when I added temperature notification function. It should be dealt as Double.

I made fixed version (0.5.2). Could you try it?
Mackila
Aspirant
Oct 25, 2011
Do not use CDbl to convert to double.
It uses the current system culture settings. See http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library ... 80%29.aspx .
I suggest you use Convert.ToDouble( String, IFormatProvider ) as shown here : http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/9s9ak971.aspx .
emoacht
Aspirant
Oct 27, 2011
Thanks, Mackila

I was not really aware of issue on Current UI Culture and Double. Yes, Convert.ToDouble is one solution. But this time I have to name specific culture to set the way to handle Double. I do not want the logic tied up with specific culture. Therefore, I changed that part not using Double but only Integer. So I replaced current version (0.5.2).

Anyway, thanks!
Mackila
Aspirant
Oct 27, 2011
...

You /know/ the readynas send raw data using '.' as NumberDecimalSeparator.
You do not need to know what will user current UI culture be.

btw your "new" 5.2 did throw exception (again...) (could not convert string ".0" to Integer...).
I suggest you copy the raw data I posted and test your code by calling RaidarAnalyze() with it.
emoacht
Aspirant
Oct 31, 2011
Thanks for testing, Mackila.

Mackila wrote:
You /know/ the readynas send raw data using '.' as NumberDecimalSeparator.
You do not need to know what will user current UI culture be.

You're right. I had collected replies from ReadyNAS of all language settings and found temperature expressions of all languages are in format like "40.0C". Therefore, they can be converted simply using specific regional format such as "en-US" or invariant culture at this moment. However, I am not very sure but in some countries it should be described as "40,0C", right? So, in case Netgear might correct the expression for such countries in future, it is not safe to always assume they are "en-US" format. This is my thought.

Mackila wrote:
btw your "new" 5.2 did throw exception (again...) (could not convert string ".0" to Integer...).

I confirmed it will throw this exception on regional formats including "fr-FR". I changed and replaced it again. The new version seems working fine on my Windows 7 whose regional format, location and display language are all set as "fr-FR" or "de-DE".
emoacht
Aspirant
Jan 03, 2012
Just released NAS Herder Ver.0.6.0 which has a couple of changes and fix as well as enabled Wake-On-LAN function with new ARM based system (Not tested yet, so hopefully).

I think, as long as ARM based systems, Duo v2 and NV+ v2 work with Netgear's RAIDar, probably they will do the same with NAS Herder. So... if anyone try it with ARM based system, please let me know the results. Especially, raw response (can be shown in Scan Dialog box of this tool) from ARM based system will be greatly appreciated because it is needed to distinguish ARM based system from x86 or sparc based systems.
Mastacheata
Aspirant
Jan 05, 2012
Could the software please get a status bar icon?
The program hides behind other windows and due to the lack of any status bar button/icon it tends to be forgotten.
It would be great if that status icon could already show the status of the readynas device, but a static one will do for now.
This is just kinda strange with no display at all in the taskbar currently.

Also if you get the time and interest to do so, making use of the windows 7 jumplist feature for the shutdown button and the open frontview link would be great.
emoacht
Aspirant
Jan 05, 2012
Hi, Mastacheata

Quick response first. NAS Herder does not appear in task bar but it should show an icon in nortification area (task tray) of task bar. You can pin the icon there by customizing its behavier as "Show icon and nortifications". This way, NAS Herder will be always accessible by nominal number of clicking. I think, this task tray icon will accommodate most of your concern.

When NAS Herder's window is hidden by other windows, double-clicking its task tray icon will make its window top of the desktop.

Second, Windows 7's jump list. Hmm... will there be good improvement of usability by addying jump list compared to context menu from the task tray icon? What's the merit? How to differentiate functions? Do you have any suggestion?

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