Readynas Ultra 4 Plus OS6 and RAM Upgrade Question

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skim32 wrote:

 

1. Can OS6 be installed with just 1gb of RAM?  I've read online that some people have issues running with 1GB. Others say it works.

Originally people found it worked ok with 1 GB.  As time as gone on, the memory footprint has gone up.  While it's possible it will work with 1 GB, I've been recommending that people upgrade to at least 2 GB.  That matches some x86 OS-6 NAS (for instance the RN424).

 

I suggest upgrading the RAM before you convert the NAS.

 

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skim32 wrote:

 

2. 2gb vs 4gb. Is it worth going 4gbs?  Are there addons on OS6 worth running that run well on the Ultra 4 plus that could benefit from 4gb?

 

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Plex can use a lot of memory, so if you are interested in that one, then I would go with 4 GB. 

 

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skim32 wrote:

 

3. Any RAM compatibility issues to be aware of when purchasing? As long as it is DDR2 SODIMM, should it work? I've been reading people confirming certain models, but has anyone came across a module that doesn't work or a type of module that doesn't work?

 

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You are looking for 200-Pin SODIMM PC2-6400 memory.  I believe only the NAS only has one memory slot.

 

There are a lot of 2 GB modules out there, generally for $10-$15 USD.  4 GB modules seem to cost about $75 USD.

 

Note I don't own an Ultra 4 Plus, so it would be wise to open it up and double-check this info.

 

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skim32 wrote:

 

4. The procedure to upgrade to OS6.  The ones I could find are really old and from old threads.  Anyone know if it is still valid today? https://community.netgear.com/t5/Using-your-ReadyNAS-in-Business/OS6-now-works-on-x86-Legacy-WARNING-NO-NTGR-SUPPORT/td-p/897021 

 

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That's a really long thread. FWIW, I generally repost the instructions whenever someone asks about it. Current instructions are:

 

(Optionally) make sure the latest BIOS is installed before you do the conversion.  To do this you install  http://www.readynas.com/download/addons/x86/4.2/BIOS_Update_Package_0.5-x86.bin as an add-on and reboot the NAS.  Do this after you backup the NAS.  This isn't necessary, but if you do want to update the bios it is easiest to do it prior to conversion

 

Basic instructions for the conversion itself are

1. BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP
2. Upload PREPR4TOR6_0.1-x86.bin as an add-on using the ReadyNAS web gui, but do not reboot afterwards (avoids the need to do manual factory resets)
3. Upload R4toR6_6.9.5.bin using the ReadyNAS web gui firmware update
4. After you upload the addon+firmware and reboot, it will update the firmware and start a factory default.
5. Go through the setup process on the converted NAS 
6. Update the NAS to the current OS 6 (check for updates will work).
7. Restore files from the backup.

Netgear won't provide paid support on a converted NAS, so that is one consideration.  There is a small risk that the process could fail, and if that were to happen it might not be possible to get the NAS running again. There have been some recent cases where the VPD was corrupted, which essentially bricked the NAS - so far the mods have repaired them remotely (a very nice courtesy on their part).