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Is this a realistic goal?
Trying to find out if an I-Opener will work for my needs?

New MessageIs this a realistic goal? (modified 0 times) alex49201
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Hello everyone, and thanks in advance for any help here.

I've recently seen some of the mods people have made to their I-Openers (on the net, not in person).

I would like to purchase an I-Opener (seen them on ebay for 30-50$). However all i want to do with this machine is to use it as a terminal to access my linux server. Also, I would rather use it independantly of my network.

Do the I-Openers have a serial port?
If not, can the Parellel port be modified (software-wise) to make a terminal connection with a server?
What is the best, (easiest modified), version of the I-Opener to use?
What sofware (absolute minimum) should i put on the flash chip to boot directly to a logon to the server?
Is there a better place i could purchase an I-Opener than ebay?

I currently use putty on my windows destop to administer my linux box. My goal is to have my I-Opener behave exactly like that. When I boot it (it would be on most of the time), i want it to come directly to a "Logon as:" screen, nothing else, I want it to be as dumb and simple as possible. Nothing but a direct shell/terminal/ssh/etc.. access to my linux box.

Once again, I have never used an I-Opener, but I am very experience with PC Hardware, Windows/Linux, etc.. I have no doubt in my ability to modify and configure the I-Opener, but before i do, I just want to make sure it is capable of fulfilling my task for it.

Thanks again,
Jeromy

09-05-2003 09:55:57

New MessageRE:Is this a realistic goal? (modified 0 times) vailr
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No visible external serial port. However, the "internal" modem is connected via serial wiring connection. The easiest serial port would be via a USB to serial adapter, such as this one: http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DE&Product_Code=USB2S&Category_Code=USBC
But using this would require modding, including installing a laptop HD & Windows.
Whether it would be possible to install a shrunk-down version of Windows95b on the 16MB Sandisk: possibly?
So it really depends on how much effort you want to put into using an IOpener.
09-05-2003 14:04:42

New MessageRE:Is this a realistic goal? (modified 0 times) Wild_Pencil
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Yes, that can be done.

Since your requirements are small, you'll probably have lots of room on the 16-Meg Sandisk to install FreeDOS and a decent Terminal Emulator. My favorite DOS-based Terminal Emulator was (and still is) TeleMate; though Procomm comes in at a close 2nd.

If you've got some modest soldering skills, you can add the necessary chip to get the serial port working. Check the TechRef (Moderated) section, there should be a schematic in there. If I recall, the modification was just a '232 chip, a capacitor, and some wire. Another option is to get the rs-232 board pre-built from Badflash. If you're going to go with USB, you could go with a Serial USB adapter as already suggested.

An alternative suggestion for that new IOpener, in case you change your mind about being Network Independent. You could add Midori Linux onto the Sandisk, and add a USB Network Adapter. Then with a small change to your Server's XDM configuration, you've got yourself a fully functional X-Terminal for your Linux Server. After that, if you really want a text terminal, you could just launch XTerm. Personally, I think this would be the cheapest route, since USB Network Adapters are very cheap these days.

09-05-2003 17:43:26

New MessageRE:Is this a realistic goal? (modified 0 times) vailr
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Here's a serial-USB adapter for $14.99 + shipping:
http://www.svc.com/usbsead.html
09-05-2003 22:25:50

New MessageRE:Is this a realistic goal? (modified 0 times) alex49201
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The USB to Serial Device sounds good, using that, I would just need to install a version of linux that will support usb on the flash chip..right? (I prefer slackware, so i'll probably try that).. And of course to install anything on the flash, i'll have to setup a bootable hdd on the /dev/hda then install to the flash /dev/hdb.. right?

I'm not worried about X.. I haven't installed xserver on one of my linux boxes since i can't remember when, there is nothing i can't do at the command line easier and better. (Not that i'm some kind of linux guru, but i hold my own, as far as a GUI (in general linux/windows/dos/etc..) is concerned, I see that as the line where you start trading power and performance for user friendliness. It's been a lot harder, but i've learned all i have from the bash prompt).

I don't have a lot of experience soddering in chips and what not, but out of curiosity, what would be the trade off in stability, etc.. in using a soddered in serial port versus using the usb-to-serial connector?

Also what would you say would be the total costs of both methods.. including the cost of the I-opener and anything needed to complete the mods, etc.. ?

And is there anyone here that provides per-built mods? Fully ready for me to plug in the AC to the wall and the serial to my linux box, ready for me to power on and login. What would that cost me.. delivered and ready to go?

Thanks a lot for you help and looking forward to more!

Jeromy

09-07-2003 11:36:44

New MessageRE:Is this a realistic goal? (modified 0 times) LD37
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if you want a really nice little terminal check out http://ltsp.org and http://ltsp.org/documentation/iopener.php
10-07-2003 08:59:10

New MessageRE:Is this a realistic goal? (modified 0 times) jbarr
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I agree with the Midori Linux approach. You get a nice, quick-booting, very responsive GUI Linux system that boots from Flash RAM. You can open terminal sessions, use an included VNC client, or an included Terminal Services client.

No, it's not a "serial" terminal, but it works VERY well over a wired LAN connection using a USB to Ethernet adapter or using a (compatible) 802.11b wireless Adapter like the Linksys WUSB11-v2.5. (Note: Midori is NOT compatible with current Linksys Wireless USB adapters.)

Set the IP and networking information or let DHCP auto-configure. One of the latest revs also comes with the Opera browser which is quite responsive.

10-17-2003 15:10:04

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