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Forum Discussion
SMI USB Disk.
Being new to ReadyNAS, I have been taking it easy with doing lots of changes at the same time.
Unfortunately, I was attempting to solve another problem and doing some minor changes to the ReadyNAS and also my network and playing around with external USB drives and USB sticks.
Wow ... all of a sudden on the ReadyNAS Admin Page appeared a new item under the "system" tab, "overview" against "Device" (In addition to the default 'data').
Where did this come from and what is it sprung to mind? Was it me or have I got a bug, virus etc?
This new item was labelled "SMI USB Disk" and shows as "VFAT 57.35 MB free of 111.75 MB".
Strangely it also has a 'Settings' options, which gives 2 choices 'Eject' and 'Format' (More later).
There was also an extra 'Share' labelled 'USB_FLASH_1', which I quickly realized was related as the description was "SMI USB DISK".
However the fact that this was listed as an External USB, with which I had been experimenting caused some confusion.
During my investigations, it was apparent that there is not 1 post in this forum with the word 'SMI' in it, hence this post to try to help others whom hit the same situation, or similar.
Hopefully this will stop them worrying.
First of all, this MAY not apply to all ReadyNAS systems or OSs. Mine is RN516 with OS 6.2.2.
AFAIK the "SMI USB Disk" is a chip or chips on the ReadyNAS motherboard (it may be a plug in, but I doubt it - haven't looked).
SMI is the "Silicon Motion Inc" company of whom I had not heard until today.
This USB device IS NOT A EXTERNAL DEVICE as listed on the Admin Page.
It is used to load, reload or update the underlying Linux operating system.
Obviously users should not play with this disk and it is a bit worrying that options to "Eject" and "Format" the device are available with ease.
I would suggest that future OS updates hide this, or provide passwords so that only remote engineers or equivalent can utilize these options.
Some of you using ReadyNAS may never see this USB Disk, but if you do, and read this, I hope it helps understand what is going on.
Unfortunately, I was attempting to solve another problem and doing some minor changes to the ReadyNAS and also my network and playing around with external USB drives and USB sticks.
Wow ... all of a sudden on the ReadyNAS Admin Page appeared a new item under the "system" tab, "overview" against "Device" (In addition to the default 'data').
Where did this come from and what is it sprung to mind? Was it me or have I got a bug, virus etc?
This new item was labelled "SMI USB Disk" and shows as "VFAT 57.35 MB free of 111.75 MB".
Strangely it also has a 'Settings' options, which gives 2 choices 'Eject' and 'Format' (More later).
There was also an extra 'Share' labelled 'USB_FLASH_1', which I quickly realized was related as the description was "SMI USB DISK".
However the fact that this was listed as an External USB, with which I had been experimenting caused some confusion.
During my investigations, it was apparent that there is not 1 post in this forum with the word 'SMI' in it, hence this post to try to help others whom hit the same situation, or similar.
Hopefully this will stop them worrying.
First of all, this MAY not apply to all ReadyNAS systems or OSs. Mine is RN516 with OS 6.2.2.
AFAIK the "SMI USB Disk" is a chip or chips on the ReadyNAS motherboard (it may be a plug in, but I doubt it - haven't looked).
SMI is the "Silicon Motion Inc" company of whom I had not heard until today.
This USB device IS NOT A EXTERNAL DEVICE as listed on the Admin Page.
It is used to load, reload or update the underlying Linux operating system.
Obviously users should not play with this disk and it is a bit worrying that options to "Eject" and "Format" the device are available with ease.
I would suggest that future OS updates hide this, or provide passwords so that only remote engineers or equivalent can utilize these options.
Some of you using ReadyNAS may never see this USB Disk, but if you do, and read this, I hope it helps understand what is going on.
4 Replies
- Did you enter any shell commands via SSH to get this to display? Please PM me with the details as to the steps you took to get this device displayed.
This device should never be active in normal mode. If you didn't active it via SSH there is certainly an issue we need to address.
Please send in your logs (see the Sending Logs link in my sig). mdgm wrote: Did you enter any shell commands via SSH to get this to display? Please PM me with the details as to the steps you took to get this device displayed.
No I did not enter any shell commands to get this to display. I will PM you the details.This device should never be active in normal mode. If you didn't active it via SSH there is certainly an issue we need to address.
I thought not.Please send in your logs (see the Sending Logs link in my sig).
I do not believe that this is necessary at this moment, but will later on if required. (See PM)mdgm wrote: Please PM me with the details .............
I have tried to PM you but the message is sitting in my Forum OutBox.
What do I have to do to get it to move from my OutBox to my Sent folder? (i.e. be sent)
I have tried logging out of forum, rebooting my PC etc.- Messages stay in the Outbox until read.
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