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ReadyNAS OS 6.9.3 | Run on existing x86 (4.2) #notsupported
There are a few threads on this, showing how to convert 6.0 firmware to run on the 4.2 platform.
I am combining the information here, so it is easier to digest.
This is UNSUPPORTED by NETGEAR. Do so at your own risk, without support from NTGR.
You need to factory default after converting your NAS to the new platform, BACKUP YOUR DATA!
ReadyNAS OS 6 will only work on 64-bit systems (Ultra/Pro), the NVX/2100v1 models are 32-bit and thus are not supported.
Here are pre-built images for the lazy:
- R4toR6_Prep_Addon.bin (26 KB) (upload first, don't reboot, avoids the need for manual factory default in between)
- R4toR6_6.9.5.bin (67.6 MB)(upload after add-on)
After you upload the addon/firmware and reboot, it will update the firmware and start a factory default. Your system should be back up in less than 10 minutes running the new firmware.
If you want to build the image on your own, you can follow the steps from this wiki article:
$ wget -q ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/READYNAS-100/ReadyNASOS-6.0.4-x86_64.zip
$ unzip -q ReadyNASOS-6.0.4-x86_64.zip
$ head -n1 ReadyNASOS-6.0.4-x86_64.img
info::name=ReadyNASOS,version=6.0.4,time=1364529349,size=49301504,md5sum=4086b247f29be084549f2b150ada8a70,arch=x86_64,descr=ReadyNASOS
$ echo -n 'info::name=RAIDiator-x86,version=6.0.4,time=1364529349,size=49301504,md5sum=4086b247f29be084549f2b150ada8a70,arch=x86,descr=ReadyNASOS for 4.2!' > newhead
$ dd conv=notrunc if=newhead of=ReadyNASOS-6.0.4-x86_64.img
Basically, changes the ::name and ::arch in the header to match with what RAIDiator 4.2 expects.
More information can be found in this thread: OS6 now works on x86 Legacy WARNING: NO NTGR SUPPORT
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- So when you press the power button for a few seconds or so you don't get prompted to press the power button again to turn the unit off?
mdgm wrote: So when you press the power button for a few seconds or so you don't get prompted to press the power button again to turn the unit off?
Nope, if I hold it down long enough it hard shuts off, which isn't desireable. The screen flickers when I short press it.- Thanks Chirpa,
Worked like a charm on Ultra 4,
No fan fixes needed.
I feel like the mods of this forum could run netgear better then the current entire staff of netgear =D
You guys should make a kickstarter for nas systems, I think everyone here would support it. - If you were to install OS 6 on an Ultra 6 Plus, would you be able to then use 4TB disks instead of the maximum 3TB that I can use on 4.2?
- You can use 4TB disks with RAIDiator 4.2.x as many users have found. You do not need to update to an OS that NetGear will not support running on your device. However if you use disks outside the compatibility list you will be denied support if you have issues.
Updating to 6.1.x does have the advantage though that you no longer face two expansion limitations from 4.2.x:
1. Cannot expand past 16TB (only an issue if using single-redundancy and want 6x4TB disks installed). You need to backup the data and do a factory default with the disks in place on 4.2.x if you want a volume with higher capacity than 16TB.
2. Cannot expand past 8TB over the life of the volume. So if the volume capacity was 2.7TB when you last did a factory reset you cannot expand past 10.7TB. Again a factory default will overcome this.
Though when you consider that you need to backup your data and do a factory default as part of the update process to go to 4.2.x the above expansion limitations of 4.2.x are not such a big reason to move away from 4.2.x.
If you need some of the features of the new OS then you would have a good reason to update to it. - Thanks for the quick reply.
The only reason I am considering moving to OS 6 is for volume encryption. I have already tried encfs on 4.2.x but it is way too slow. Truecrypt is really fast but I am not sure if I would be able to encrypt the whole volume. I currently use a TC container, but I did worry it would be difficult to grow if I ever upgraded my disks.
Another benefit, if it actually works with OS 6 is volume expansion with encrypted volumes
EDIT. I don't mind doing a factory install once and start fresh since I am in process of backing everything up to a 314 - Well you could give it a try. If you don't like it I can give you instructions to downgrade back to 4.2.x
Do be aware also that a downside of encryption is that it can make data recovery more difficult so if you store important data on encrypted volumes you should especially make sure you backup that data e.g. to an encrypted volume on another ReadyNAS. - I've been thinking about installing a custom OS on my Ultra 6 for a while now (the 4.2 OS is getting outdated and I like encryption). While trying to figure out how to avoid the system from overwriting my disks during boot without breaking my options of a rollback, I came across this post, and it's definitely something I want to try.
Question though: Since this most likely messes with the internal USB/default image, is there a recommended way to backup a clean 4.2 image, so that I could return to the stock image? Or will I be stuck on 6.x?
Hypothetically, if I remove all my disks, insert a single empty disk (or no disk at all), and let the Ultra reset to factory default, could I make a backup of that state, that will allow me to return to it (possibly to the point where Netgear would actually support it again).
Knowing that I have that option would help me experiment more freely.
I have a VGA cable on the system, so I am able to get into the system at boot. - Orionos when the firmware is updated it is updated on the internal flash as well as on the disks. I have sent you a PM with a link to an image you can install to downgrade.
If you need to downgrade and have trouble doing so, ask for help on the forum and it can be provided. - Well, I finally got around to it. It stated 'ERR: Could not properly extract' during the first of 3 reboots it did. Interesting how the LCD display remained active between reboots. I'll just push the official 6.1.2 on it now, just to be sure.
It now states 'Fan Dead' so I'll have to use the workaround.
I like how it now actually presents a logon prompt on the screen for interactive logon. 4.2 didn't.
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