Debian Sid on Iconnect

[geekness]

Hi,

I have successfully installed Debian Sid on my omega Iconnect, and would now like to install a torrent client that will monitor a folder on one of its hard drives for new torrents to download.
I have got putty and can access the Iconnect via SSH just fine.
http://www.congenio.de/infos/iconnect.html
http://www.kroonen.eu/wiki/Install%20Debian%202
http://forum.doozan.com/read.php?3,3333

I was thinking about using Transmission, but wasn't really sure on how to install it. (Im new to SSHing and debian)
Im open to other suggestions if you have any. A quick search found these packages. http://packages.debian.org/search?suite=sid&arch=arm&searchon=names&keywords=torrent

I found this package, which I can install, but im not sure if I need to install the dependencies first? http://packages.debian.org/sid/transmission
Then what if those dependencies have dependencies and so on.

Also, will it be possible to access a GUI for transmission, instead of SSH.

Im planning on using my Rpi (Raspbmc) to download the torrent file to the monitored folder, then have the Debian-Iconnect download the target, then the RPi rename and re-locate the target once it's finished.

[dilberts_left_nut]

I have successfully installed Debian Sid ... (Im new to SSHing and debian)

Probably not the best choice then ... sid can break in new and exciting ways from time to time. You are likely to experience bugs, dependency problems and frustration - with a slight possibility of data loss (rare - but has happened).
You will need to be able to differentiate between user error and bugs/other issues - not easy if you don't know how it's supposed to work...
Read this: http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debia ... h-choosing

I found this package, which I can install, but im not sure if I need to install the dependencies first? http://packages.debian.org/sid/transmission
Then what if those dependencies have dependencies and so on.

You will need a reasonable grasp of package management if you want sid not to explode on you.
Read this: viewtopic.php?f=32&t=58557&p=338574#p338574
(actually, that whole thread should give you a good start in a lot of areas).
And then this: http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debia ... ls.en.html

Also, will it be possible to access a GUI for transmission, instead of SSH.

Yes, it is possible, and there are a few ways to do it, depending on your environment, how you want it to work, from what devices, and what you want to install.

[geekness]

Would squeeze be a better option?

[dilberts_left_nut]

Not really - it is oldstable, and support for it will be dropped in a few months.
Also, it has a pretty old kernel, which may be problematic with newer hardware.

Wheezy (7) is the current stable, and is supported for the next 2 years(ish).
Use this unless you have a good reason not too.

edit: Note, I know nothing about Iconnect's

[Birdy]

First of all: all dilberts_left_nut said is true and good.

I found this package, which I can install, but im not sure if I need to install the dependencies first? http://packages.debian.org/sid/transmission
Then what if those dependencies have dependencies and so on.
.

The debian package management system takes care of dependencies. That is one of it's main purposes, it not _the main purpose.
The dependencies are listed in the file called debian/control, and if you type:
apt-get install transmission
then all dependencies listed there will be installed too (and the dependencies of the dependencies too, for the same reason).
You really don't know the dirty details how that works. A solid knowledge of aptitude or apt-get or synaptic (or whatever frontends are out there) is really sufficient:
apt-get install packagename #will install
apt-get remove packagenaem #will remove
apt-get remove --purge packagename # will remove more "brutal", i alwayse use that
apt-get autoremove # will remove <i-am-not-sure-what>, apt will inform you when you have to run it
apt-cache search pattern # will search for a pattern, duh
apt-cache search pattern1 pattern2 # will search for two patterns
apt-get clean # will clean the cache
apt-get update # will update the cache, run it before most other actions
apt-get upgrade # will upgrade nearly all installed packages, run it regulary (on sid daily is perfect)
apt-get dist-upgrade # upgrade everything including the kitchen sink, run it regulary too.
Not exact but loose info, but that is more than you will need to keep a system up and running, install remove, day in and out.

Also, will it be possible to access a GUI for transmission, instead of SSH.

- I am quite sure transmission has a webinterface. You will need to enable it and can access it from the browser. If tranmission hasn't got it, then other torrent apps have it for sure
- from-to a UNIX box you would or could do:
ssh -fX user@server transmission
In other words: You will forward the X protocol over ssh (hence -X, -f simply puts it in the background -kinda).
- you can use tightvncserver on the server (the machine you want to access) and xtightvncviewer on the client (the machine you connect from).
As you use putty you seem to access from Windows. In that case VNC is a good solution

A quick search found these packages. http://packages.debian.org/search?suite ... ds=torrent

rtorrent is said to be a very good tool for the job, but it is cli and anything but intuitive.
http://www.debianuserforums.org/viewtop ... cc80d7f0dd
I am not sure if that is what you want to do (not much in torrents), but it sure gives good ideas _if you use rtorrent.

You probably will want to look into the application called "screen"
(ssh to the server, start a screen session, start any process which might take a while, say an upgrade, detach from the screen session, exit ssh, go back an hour later and attach again to the screen session).


Sid, like said, is a bad choice. If you plan to use go on using it (say you are not in the mood to reinstall): You will have to upgrade - at minimum - once a week. You will have a good backup solution (that anyway, but sure on Sid). You will keep the system as minimal as possible (the less apps, the less can break). You will be able to live with "problems" for a day or two and not panic (Sid has bugs, but they often get solved fast. Patience helps a lot).
But yeah: for starters Wheezy (better: the actual stable) is the way to go.


Why not use the raspberry to download torrents? Seems perfect for the job.

In case it was not clear: I don't know your device and i don't know torrents but the very basics. That have been very general tips or ideas.

[Birdy]

I think i would do it like this, in your case:
- take the system i already got and train apt operations, get used to it, etc
- when it works ok, decide if i will stick to sid or reinstall debian stable (right now wheezy)

[geekness]

The sofware was originally based on Congenio Debian Linux "Squeeze" .
The kernel comes from https://www.kernel.org/ and had these patches adapted http://www.congenio.de/infos/iconnect-3.12.patch.

This guy from the Netherlands then figured a way to upgrade it to sid. http://www.kroonen.eu/wiki/Install%20Debian%202

Customizing debian on iConnect
The Debian image provided by congenio.de can now be optimized by SSHing in and following the instructions on the "Debootstrap Debian" page on this site, starting from the step "Setup machine's name", stopping at the step "logout".
In order to get the most recent software (e.g., Transmission), edit sources-list to include "sid" instead of "squeeze" and do

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apt-get update
apt-get upgrade

Now you have the very latest software on your iConnect boot USB stick. But the image is still using the kernel from congenio.de which lacks some important modules like USB sound card drivers. If you would like to use the kernel from this website instead, do

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wget http://www.kroonen.eu/iconnect/332/modules.tar
cd /
tar xfv /root/modules.tar
cd -
rm modules.tar

wget http://www.kroonen.eu/iconnect/332/uImage
mv /boot/uImage /boot/uImage.original.3.3.3
mv uImage /boot/uImage

reboot

If all goes well, your iConnect is now running sid and the kernel from this website.

OK, this is the "Debootstrap Debian section as referenced above:

Setup machine's name

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echo iConnect > /etc/hostname

File system mounts

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cat <<END > /etc/fstab
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point>   <type>  <options>       <dump>  <pass>
/dev/root      /               ext3    noatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
tmpfs          /tmp            tmpfs   defaults          0       0
END

Activate remote console and disable local consoles

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echo 'T0:2345:respawn:/sbin/getty -L ttyS0 115200 linux' >> /etc/inittab
sed -i 's/^\([1-6]:.* tty[1-6]\)/#\1/' /etc/inittab

Tell the system that we have no hardware clock

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echo HWCLOCKACCESS=no >> /etc/default/rcS

Slightly speed up the boot process

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echo CONCURRENCY=shell >> /etc/default/rcS

Prolong the life of your USB flash drive

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rm -f /etc/blkid.tab
ln -s /dev/null /etc/blkid.tab
rm -f /etc/mtab
ln -s /proc/mounts /etc/mtab

Finally, set root password

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passwd

Now we're done here

What's the best way to make this machine run Wheezy instead of Squeeze or sid? Im happy to run sid and am aware of the limitations/risks, but would rather run something stable.

[Birdy]

What i would do is:
try the same but with wheezy.


http://www.congenio.de/infos/iconnect.html
says:

Die congenio Iomega iConnect ist ein sehr günstiger USB-Netzwerkadapter, der verkabelt oder Wireless genutzt werden kann. Sie hat 4 USB-2.0-Ports und ein internes Flash, von dem das Betriebssystem gebootet wird. Leider ist das Product inzwischen von Iomega abgekündigt, genau wie die ähnliche LaCie LaPlug, so dass man sie nur noch aus Lagerbeständen kaufen kann.
Es bietet sich an, auf diesem Gerät ein vollständiges Linux zu installieren. Das gestaltet sich normalerweise etwas schwierig, weil im Normalfall nur vom internen Flash-Speicher gebootet wird. Allerdings hat die congenio eine Lösung dafür: den iConnect-Stick.

What you got is an USB-stick or something like a router or a router with a stick plugged in?
Is it arm based ?
If it is not a stick (i don't think so), then there are bad news: All the arm based devices are very different, with their own ways to do things and work.
The good news: There are people who are interested in the subject. Mailing lists and irc channels (inside and outside of the debian project). I only know the freedombox project mailing list and am not sure if that are the right persons to ask (probably not, they use an arm device, but their main interest is a different one).

Search for irc-channels and mailing lists, also search the web for "debian on a plug computer", etc. A good starting point might be the IRC channel #debian on the server irc.oftc.net and ask there where you can find such information and help (assuming no one here is able to tell you). Try (!) #alix on the same server (it sure is about odd hardware, changes are they can point you in the right direction).

good luck, to be true: it's above me. My best idea is the first sentence from above: simply try wheezy (or stable). instead of sid

[geekness]

Why not use the raspberry to download torrents? Seems perfect for the job.

Im using my Rpi as my media center, to play movies/TV surf web etc. having it do the download as well will likely cos it to slow down too much and be too laggy.

[geekness]

Yes, the IConnect is ARM based.
The way this Debian install works is to load an image on to a compatible USB stick, then plug it into the IConnect and run an install by pressing a few different buttons at the same time.
Once Debian has been installed on the Stick, you must keep it plugged in to the IConnect for it to run. If you un plug it, it will revert back to stock OS.

The IConnect is a kind of NAS. You plug in up to 4 external USB hard drives and then you can either:
1. ethernet to router
or
2. connect wirelessly (it has it own wireless card)

[geekness]

I have researching how to upgrade my system here:
http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-faq/ch-uptodate.en.html
and here
http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/armel/release-notes/ch-upgrading.en.html

When the page says "system" does it mean the release? ie squeeze/wheezy etc?

If I have squeeze installed and running, to install Wheezy, do I just need to:
update the /etc/apt/sources.list file

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apt update
apt dist-upgrade

using one of the sources from here http://www.debian.org/mirror/list

How do I update the the /etc/apt/sources.list file through SSH?
How can I see what release is currently running?

[geekness]

Or maybe I should follow this guide:
http://www.howtoforge.com/how-to-upgrade-debian-squeeze-to-wheezy

[dilberts_left_nut]

The debian docs you listed are the official (very thorough) procedure and cover mostly everything to consider for a production system.

The howtoforge doc is the basics and is usually all you need to do - I've never had any drama doing upgrades.

When the page says "system" does it mean the release? ie squeeze/wheezy etc?

Not sure I follow ... it appears lots on those pages and generally refers to the "machine" as a whole, whatever the release.

If I have squeeze installed and running, to install Wheezy, do I just need to:
update the /etc/apt/sources.list file

Basically, yes.

How do I update the the /etc/apt/sources.list file through SSH?

You need to be 'root' to edit system files, so either ssh in as root@yourbox, or if you connect as your normal user, use the 'su' command to change user to root.

The howtoforge page says to use 'vi' to edit the file.
If you haven't seen it before it will cause dramatic hair loss - use 'nano' instead (keys to save, exit etc.are printed at the bottom of the screen, ^ = ctrl).

How can I see what release is currently running?

'uname -a' will tell you what kernel you are running.
'cat /etc/debian_version' will tell you the release (and point release for stable) your system is at.

[geekness]

Thanks heaps dilberts_left_nut

This post has been updated to show the exact procedure for updating from squeeze to wheezy and installing transmission with a web UI. Enjoy.

So to confirm what my process should be with a starting point of Squeeze:

Assuming this tutorial has been followed: http://www.congenio.de/infos/iconnect.html, once complete, ensure you can SSH into the Iconnect before proceeding

1. Install nano (http://www.debianadmin.com/nano-editor-tutorials.html) most likely already installed.

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apt-get install nano

2. replace the /etc/apt/sources.list file contents using nano

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nano /etc/apt/sources.list

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deb http://ftp.au.debian.org/debian/ squeeze main contrib non-free
#deb-src http://ftp.au.debian.org/debian/ squeeze main contrib non-free

deb http://security.debian.org/ squeeze/updates main contrib non-free
#deb-src http://security.debian.org/ squeeze/updates main contrib non-free

# squeeze-updates, previously known as 'volatile'
deb http://ftp.au.debian.org/debian/ squeeze-updates main contrib non-free
#deb-src http://ftp.au.debian.org/debian/ squeeze-updates main contrib non-free

Im in Australia, but other countries will vary

3. Update the package for squeeze, one command at a time. Accept all the questions where it asks to upgrade an already modified file. (3 or 4 instances)

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apt-get update

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apt-get upgrade

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apt-get dist-upgrade

4. Update source list for Wheezy using nano

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nano /etc/apt/sources.list

For Australia

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deb http://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/debian wheezy main contrib non-free
#deb-src http://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/debian wheezy main contrib non-free
deb http://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/debian wheezy-updates main contrib non-free
deb http://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/debian-security wheezy/updates main contrib non-free

For Europe(?)

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deb http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian wheezy main contrib non-free
#deb-src http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian wheezy main contrib non-free
deb http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian wheezy-updates main contrib non-free
deb http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian-security wheezy/updates main contrib non-free

5. Upgrade to Wheezy. one command at a time. Accept all the questions where it asks to upgrade an already modified file. (3 or 4 instances)

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apt-get update

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apt-get upgrade

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apt-get dist-upgrade

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reboot

6. Then to install Transmission:

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apt-get install transmission

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apt-get install transmission-daemon

once installed, change the settings in the .json file

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nano /etc/transmission-daemon/settings.json

as a minimum, you will need to update:
rpc-password:
rpc-username:
rpc-whitelist:
once changed, save and exit the file then reload it by using this command:

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pkill -HUP transmission-da

you can then access transmission from a web interface
HTTP:<IP_address_of_Iconnect>:<9091>

Hope that helps someone.

[dilberts_left_nut]

That's about it, but:

1. nano should already be installed.

2. & 4. comment out (#) the deb-src lines, they are only for if you are installing source packages (you're not).

5. all debian packages are in lower case, so 'transmission'.

Your 'system' will tell you stuff while it is upgrading. READ IT.
If you don't understand, find out before saying 'y'.

As you are on a wierd arm box that I know nothing about, YMMV.
Birdy's advice above is good.
Since it runs on a squeeze kernel, chances are very good that wheezy will work just fine.

Also, since you are using a usb stick as the 'system drive', you could easily make an image of the working version before messing with it, yes? (problably use dd if on linux, or some other image tool if on win).

Im in Australia

How long is your sentence?