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OS6 now works on x86 Legacy WARNING: NO NTGR SUPPORT!
Update: It is now unofficially possible using NTGR images to update legacy hardware to os6.X
See Post #3, for directions to install 6.2.1 on x86 Ultra and Pro Models. (ARM NOT SUPPORTED by this OS)
Be forewarned, this requires a SYSTEM WIPE and likely voids any warranty support from NTGR
Supported so far: pro 2/4/6, ultra 2/4/6, old pro / Pioneer Pro, 2100v2
Not Supported: NVX and 2100v1
Thanks go out to "HomeBrew Anonymous" for making this possible.
Update 2: A firmware image to downgrade back to 4.2.26 is now available. See this thread. While this downgrade should get you a working system again on the supported firmware, be forewarned this requires a SYSTEM WIPE and NetGear also does not provide support for this downgrade. If you have issues seek help on these forums.
Original Post/Gripes
I have been reading these forums since Monday's announcement and there has been a resounding "ooof" regarding the fact the Ultras and Pros are unsupported for future OS improvements.
To clear the air: it would appear Netgear will never support os6 on past hardware. I have almost come to grips with this, and at least they have been open and honest with their forward direction and aren't stringing us along. viewtopic.php?f=138&t=70131
The upside is our devices still work and are mostly stable and eventually we can upgrade to a new shell that has os6 support, but in the meantime our $500-1000 investment is unable to take advantage of modern features we all desire.
I don't think I can add a poll here at RN forums, but I would like to garner support for a 100% unsupported home brew of the os6 on Pro6 units.
If we get enough support perhaps a talented member(s) here would help release a homebrew of sorts.
The 3 main caveats are:
1. Netgear will never be held responsible/your warranty is void
2. A format is required (new FS and OS)
3. Data loss is highly possible
If you are still interested please post a reply to this thread.
mdgm and I have decided that its time to lock this thread. So please do post any new OS6 on Legacy issues on their own threads.
1,274 Replies
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- TheHijacker seems to be a real interesting solution.
Let's see if it can be ported. - As others have said it seems that Netgear just does not see that this decision will deter a lot of people from purchasing a new Readynas. I remember when I bought my first Infrant Readynas NV and it came with v2 software and was support all the way to v4 over 4+ years (including netgear when they bought Infrant) this type of support got me to recommend the device to many friends and family. Then I purchased a Ultra 4 plus about 15 months ago assuming that the same kind of support would continue. It was also eluded to in the forums that a new UI interface was in the works and would be coming as stated by some of the Jedi council, which is another reason I bought this unit.
This post also shows that the hardware can support the new OS, but the Netgear business model I guess is to deter customers as this was originally stated as a reason not to support it on the older units.there are hardware limitations on the previous generations which would need to be overcome.
That quote alone shows the dishonest business practices of Netgear and unless there is a major turn around on Netgears part, they will not be on a list of what I buy or recommend.
I can understand the costs involved to maintain older devices but at $700 for a diskless Ultra 4 Plus unit I think that it can be maintained a little longer than a few minor version tweaks.
Also congrats to all who have gotten os6 running on the older devices and I probably will upgrade once I have time to. Thanks
Greg - what is really stupid, is that they still have to maintain 4.x for several years.
If they did support os6 on the 64bit devices, they could pretty much drop support 4.x and only support os6.
of course, the 32 bit devices get screwed, but I suppose they were regardless. - For a number of users (particularly business users and those with only one NAS) needing to do a factory default as part of the update process to ReadyNAS OS 6 would be a major reason not to update at least in the short term. If they had provided ReadyNAS OS 6 to existing devices they would have needed a clear plan to phase out support for 4.2.x and make this known to users so that they could prepare.
- Or they could have done exactly as they have, but with a bit better PR/outreach and expectation management.
Instead of saying it will not be released "Ever" NTGR could have explained their reasoning, as everyone has debatated in prior posts/threads. Then offer a path to OS6 much like the community has formed through help from our "talented developers".
With NTGR's blessing and outreach for those who are willing to format/wipe their device. ReadyNAS Facebook and support forums would not be tarnished with negativity, and enthusiasts who comment about leaving the brand.
Much as they have over the last year, NTGR has decided their fans and supporters don't need to be informed of these "proprietary" business decisions, since after all, we are just people who bought a device 1-3 years ago, and we aren't a current revenue stream.
All that having been said, I absolutely LOVE OS6, and commend NTGR on their "leap forward" I just wish we had been included in that leap without all the huffing and puffing. - But Netgear has already required factory defaults in the past with 4.2.17 to get over the 2TB limitation that was in place. So this is not out of the question of them making the requirements for OS6 be a factory reset as it was with the size limitation issue.
- 4.2.17? Aren't you confusing this with 4.1.7 for Sparc? There is no requirement to do a factory default to get 4k sector partition alignment on 4.2.x.
And even there, the factory default was not essential, it just improved performance.mdgm wrote: 4.2.17? Aren't you confusing this with 4.1.7 for Sparc? There is no requirement to do a factory default to get 4k sector partition alignment on 4.2.x. - I was wrong with the version but from http://www.readynas.com/?p=3728
Default file system for all x86 devices is now Ext4. If you factory default the ReadyNAS with 4.2.11, you will get the Ext4 with support for files as large as 16TB on 64-bit ReadyNAS systems (Pro, 3100, 3200, 4200). If you upgrade from Ext3, you’ll still be limited to 2TB. We are looking at coming out with an add-on that allows you to convert your Ext3 file system to Ext4. - That's a requirement for a factory default to add support for individual files (such as iSCSI LUNs) larger than 2TB. From 4.2.12 that support was added to 32-bit devices as well.
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