Install custom OS

Someone did it with Solaris on the ReadyNAS Pro: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=23290&start=15#p316597

First off, there are proprietary kernel drivers in use on the ReadyNAS. Second, since the ReadyNAS firmware already is based on Debian (etch) I don't see the benefit of installing a standard Debian system instead of tweaking the ReadyNAS to do things the way you want it to. You may gain some comfort but you'll lose a lot of functionality, namely X-Raid.

-Stefan

WhoCares? wrote:
First off, there are proprietary kernel drivers in use on the ReadyNAS. Second, since the ReadyNAS firmware already is based on Debian (etch) I don't see the benefit of installing a standard Debian system instead of tweaking the ReadyNAS to do things the way you want it to. You may gain some comfort but you'll lose a lot of functionality, namely X-Raid. -Stefan

Thanks for your reply.

I'm guessing the drivers are for the RAID-card? Anything else/more?
If there is a driver for Linux that gives me regular RAID, I'm fine with that. I don't think I will be using X-Raid anyway.

Well for starters, it runs a pretty outdated version of Debian, so installing anything new becomes a lot of work. Also I really don't like how RAIDiator is just all over the place, and doesn't follow any normal Debian conventions. I can't even restart Apache with the existing init-script, and all the config files are spread out in places where they simply don't belong. I really don't want to bash the product, as I do think most highly of it, but things like this puts me down. I just don't feel it provides any real improvement over a normal Linux-distro.

But maybe it is safe to dist-upgrade to latest version of Debian?
Maybe I can even make RAIDiator less obnoxious?

If you'd like to install your own software, your best bet is to install your apps and libs to /usr/local. Be careful about the amount of storage this takes - there's a finite amount of storage available to the system filesystem. Or heck, if you really need a full Debian system, debootstrap into a chroot on a data volume.

In any case, try not to disturb the system as that could have unintended consequences.

I owe 2 Netgear devices. The quality of hardware is good, but the firmware is awful, interface is unfriendly, and there are quite few system options. So it is getting very difficult, and sometimes even impossible to adjust the system the way that I need. I’ve already written my requests on this forum and to official distributers in my country, but received no positive answers.
The best system for Home/Prosumer class I consider OpenMediaVault,
Business Product Line(NVX,...,2100) - Freenas-v7 and Business Product Line(3100,3200,4200) - Freenas-v8.
According to this I want to ask whether I can use these systems on my Netgear devices?
For me it is the last option to continue using Netgear devices. If I won’t be able to use OMV or Freenas , or Netgear won’t recently release the firmware wich will be as functional as them, I’ll have to look for the alternative offers from other firms.

Thank you.

PS
I have 2 servers – one with Freenas 7 for 11 months, other with Freenas 8 for 2 months. I’m quite satisfied with them.