Buffalo LinkStation HGLAN 400gig NAS/Twonky with no Linux!

[wideasleep1]

The following article describes the steps I took to install Twonkymedia server on a Buffalo LinkStation (LS) 400 gig HGLAN (aka Gigabit) NAS, using nothing more than a firmware update (requiring a few tweaks that are documented but not compiled), and Twonky's Buffalo Gigabit Nas installer, NASsetup, using no Linux commands whatsoever.

1) Install your HGLAN per Buffalo instructions, and feel free to copy any music or other media to the NAS's drive in advance. I also gave my NAS a static IP on my network, so I always know where it is, and I have read on the LSwiki that it's a good idea when flashing as well since you are bypassing router's DHCP. My LS came with firmware version 1.61 from Buy.com on a recent sale. Despite warnings on LSwiki, a switch/hub is just fine, or you can connect directly to your computer..the updater found my LS over my switch with no issues..wireless however is NOT recommended.

2) Download and unzip the following to separate folders on your desktop for easy access: OpenLink firmware for HGLAN:

http://downloads.linkstationwiki.net/op ... k-051b.zip

TwonkyMedia for Buffalo Gigabit:

http://www.twonkyvision.de/trial-downlo ... igabit.zip

3) You will need your Twonky username and password to enable your paid version from this trial version, and you will need your admin password for the LS, as the firmware updater requests it prior to permitting upgrade.

4) Tweak 1: Go into the OpenLink firmware folder and locate the linkstation version.txt file, open it in notepad, and change the version 1.46 to version 1.61. This kills an invalid version warning when you launch the updater in the next step, permitting upgrading.

5) Flash OpenLink: This is the same process used to update the firmware on LS, whether you use Buffalo firmware or Openlink (which simply is the Buffalo firmware with more enhancements)...telnet is the primary reason we are updating the firmware. Twonky or any other server will likely require telnet to be enabled to install onto the LS. Launch the 'HD-HGLAN FWUpdate' executable. You should see this:




6) Tweak 2: Don't be alarmed (like I was!!), the installer is in Japanese, and I had no Japanese language support, and even if I did, what then? LOL Click OK, and the next window is a brief search for your LS (????LS????), then this:



The big button on the left is the 'UPDATE FIRMWARE' button, click it. New details window should look like this:



7) Enter the LS's admin password in the white box, and after clicking 'OK', the LS will begin lighting up like a Christmas tree, spin up and down several times while it copies and installs the new firmware...should take somewhere between 5 to 7 minutes.

8 ) Tweak 3: A popup indicates firmware was successfully installed, click OK and verify Power and Link (both green) are lit, and the drive has settled down. Now, to verify telnet, simply open a DOS window, and type 'telnet xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx'(IP of your LS). You should get a bash-2.05a# prompt, verifying telnet is installed and working. Close DOS window.

9) Open Twonky folder and select NASsetup, and follow the English (yay!) prompts to install Twonky automagically. You will hear the drive heads become active as your media content gets it's first scan, and if you have UPnP enabled on your puter, you should also see Twonky pop up in your systray. You can access Twonky web configuration as usual (port 9000 by default, or by clicking systray icon), and configure Twonky to suit your needs (scan, radio, nav. tree, etc.)

It has been said that music is a universal language...thankfully, so is the 'OK' radio button!
Enjoy!

[Leightong]

Hi There.

Many thanks for posting the instructions for getting twonkymedia to run on the Linkstation (3 years ago!). I have the same model as you, HG-400 and am hitting difficulties while trying to change the firmware.
I have downloaded the firmware but I get a different error message to you when I click the Large button on the Japanese GUI (to run the upgrade) I have changed the version.txt file, but I get a box pop up with "????????????". I can only click what I presume is "OK" to end the program.
I know it's been a very long time sonce you posted this, but do you have any ideas or maybe could you help me?

Many Thanks

Leighton.[/img]

[Leightong]

Inore my last post - I have sorted it!

It was simply the version number in the version.txt file (I re-read the Wiki this time!)

I put the version number to a greater value than the version I have installed, and now it is currently updating.

*Fingers crossed*

Thanks again...Your guide is great!

Regards,

Leighton

[Leightong]

Ok, I had some problems.....

First run, after a couple of minutes, A pop-up appeared with "?????????"
I clicked ok, and the program quit.

The HG-400 device seemed to be up and running but I could only ping it, nothing else.

I couldnt see the device at this point as it resides in the loft in my garage!

I ran the Japanese FW updater again, and it ran successfully.

I could telnet into the HG-400 immediately I'm happy now!

I have also installed the Twonkymedia and have the 30 day trial.
It's not working as of yet, but I'm determined to get my media visible!

I'll keep posting here......

[wideasleep1]

IIRC, port 9000 is default for Twonky, so ping the NAS' IP:9000 to see if Twonky is running.

[Leightong]

Hi wideasleep.

Thanks for your response.

I think I have found the issue.
On the configuration page, I am trying to set the media location as my external usb drive (plugged into the linkstation).
It shows up in /mnt/usb1 (or something)
However, no media is detected by Twonkymedia.
Interestingly, if I click 'Browse' instead of typing the path, the usb disk does not show up.

I was playing around with this until late last night.
The point I gave up was when the device didnt come back up after a reboot !
I gave up and went to bed!
I'll take another look when I get home tonight I think....