Installation on Bifferboard (Linux Debian Lenny, kernel 2.6)
I used this distribution assembled by Graham Marshall. I tried several variants and found this Debian distro as the most functional.
1. Download everything you need
Here is ready-to-work AXON rootfs image based on Sunspot distro.
wget http://repository.interplaymedium.org/AXON-microserver/Debian/AxonMicroserver_v1.0_Debian_Bifferboard_rootfs.tar.gz
kernel
wget http://repository.interplaymedium.org/AXON-microserver/Debian/vmlinuz-2.6.32.2
and flash utility
wget http://repository.interplaymedium.org/AXON-microserver/Debian/bb_upload8.py
2. Prepare a serial cable
You need a serial cable to flash kernel on Bifferboard. This is a simple how-to. You can assemble your own USB-UART adaptor based on FT232R, or buy breakout board form SparkFun. Please pay attention to that 1-port and 2-port bifferboard has a different serial pinout.
1-port Bifferboard serial pinout
| 7
| 8
| 9
| 10
|
|---|
| GND
| serial in
| serial out
| +3.3v
|
|---|
2-ports Bifferboard serial pinout
| 1
| 2
| 3
| 4
| 5
|
|---|
| GND
| N/C
| serial in
| serial out
| +3.3v
|
|---|
3. Flash kernel with a serial cable
python bb_upload.py /dev/ttyUSB0 vmlinuz-2.6.32.2
don't forget to change /dev/ttyUSB0 into your path. You can find the path by typing
ls -l /dev/serial/by-id/
in case of any problems this is original detailed instruction on the Bifferboard website.
3.1. Flash kernel without a serial cable (not tested)
Here is some alternative instructions
You need to download bb_eth_upload.py utility from here
python bb_eth_upload.py <ethernet interface> <mac address> <Image>
4. Untar and copy rootfs on external media (SD card or USB memory stick)
sudo tar -xvvf <path to your mounted media> axon_microserver_v1.0_filesystem.tar.gz
4.1. Change network settings
Edit <path to your mounted media>/etc/network/interfaces file for your local network settings (you can find detailed "how-to" concerning Debian network configuration here).
sudo gedit /etc/network/interfaces
By default it is set up for eth1 DHCP discovering and wlan DHCP leasing in ad-hoc mode.
5. Install and setup minicom as a serial console
sudo apt-get install minicom
and set it up
sudo minicom -s
You have to:
- change the port (see above, point 2.)
- turn off "hardware flow control" and "software flow control"
- in "modem and dialling" parameter setup remove everything to "J" point
This is more detailed instruction. Use it in case of problems.
6. Run it
After re-flashing ans setting up you may
- plug a serial cable in (we recommend to have one because it gives you an ability at least to control the booting process)
- start terminal
- insert rootfs SD card (or plug USB memory dongle) in
- plug the power in
- wait awhile (it would be great to have USB sound dongle with some speakers plugged in, it informs you with a message when the booting is finished)
- try to connect to the AXON network and open AXON microserver interface in the web-browser http://axon (in the case of problems with wifi connection just try to use eth address for testing)
default login and password "root:root"
AXON microserver rootfs image has pre-installed:
Unlike an original Sunspot distro, AXON microserver rootfs image has pre-installed:
- lua
- dropbear
- mc
- vgrabbj
- dnsmasq
References
