“Webcam” Software

I only needed a simple webcam solution so I’ve used one called ‘webcam’ installed using

apt-get install webcam

this creates a config file /root/.webcamrc edit this file to suit your needs. Here’s mine for my own reference….

[grab]
       device = /dev/video0
       text = Logitech 3000 %d-%m-%Y %H:%M:%S (BST)
       fg_red = 255
       fg_green = 255
       fg_blue = 255
       width = 640
       height = 480
       delay = 30
       wait = 1
       input = usb
       norm = webcam
       rotate = 0
       top = 0
       left = 0
       bottom = -1
       right = -1
       quality = 75
       trigger = 0
       once = 0
       archive = /home/blah/archives/cam0 cam0 %d-%m-%Y %H-%M-%S.jpeg
[ftp]
       host = 127.0.0.1
       user = root
       pass = xxxx
       dir  = /var/www/cams
       file = cam0.jpeg
       tmp  = uploading.jpeg
       passive = 1
       debug = 0
       auto = 0
       local = 1
       ssh = 0

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Webcams

I’ve managed to get a couple of cams working on my slug so here’s what ones and how

Logitech Pro 3000/4000

apt-get install qc-usb-source qc-usb-utils


Logitech Quickcam Chat

module-assistant auto-install gspca

EyeToy

module-assistant auto-install ov51x-jpeg-source

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Install Some Packages

Obviously it’s down to personal choice what packages you install so this list is more for personal reference than anything else. (I’ll be updating this list as and when I come across ones I need).

nano

lynx

ntpdate Run ntpdate ntp.yourtimeserver.com

rcconf

unzip

qqlite

php5-sqlite

gcc

make

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Mobile Streaming

Oh dear just had a ‘Hmm that sounds like a good project idea’ basically now my slug is more or less redundant i’m gonna try to get it configured for wireless internet webcam streaming. Should be interesting.

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Need More Power!

While things have gone well with running debian on my slug i’ve reached the point of it’s hardware capabilities. The issue has come to ahead today when i’ve been playing with webcams. The slug has 2xusb ports so I have the HDD in one and webcam on another however if I try to add another camera via a usb hub I hit the bandwidth limit of the slugs onboard usb port and thus will never be able to run more than one. This is quite a MAJOR snag for me especially as i’ve spent a lot of today comiling the drivers for my different cam’s and got all but one working. Once i’ve done various little projects I reckon I would have about 4 cams running so it seems I may have to look into the ‘Shuttle’ option to give me the extra ooomph I need.

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Upgrading Firmware

Firstly there are vast online communites whit howtos on install ing various firmware and linux distros this is merly my small how I install Debain onto mine.

Put into upgrade mode

Turn off the slug and while holding the reset key on the back turn it on. After a while you can see the orange light will become red. At that time immediately release reset key.You must be seeing a red light blinking telling you that you did it right :).

Getting The Firmware

The Windows Way

Download the firmware http://www.everbesthk.com/8-download/sercomm/firmware/NU54/Upgrade_207_XP.zip After downloading, open the zip file and run `Upgrade_207_XP.exe. This will install the utility. It will show up in the Start menu, under Programs | Ugutil, as Upgrade Utility.

The Linux (best) way

Download upslug2 from http://trac.nslu2-linux.org/upslug2/browser/trunk
After you have downloaded the source code, use GNU autotools (i.e. autoconf and automake) and GCC to build upslug2:

cd upslug2

autoreconf -i

./configure

make

Getting The Debain Image

Download the latest debian file from http://www.slug-firmware.net/d-dls.php

I got Debain/NSLU2 (armel) 5.0.3 Stable Release.

Installing The Image
Now my slug already had openslug firmware on it and when I did the debian flash it failed so to make it work I had to revert to the stock linksys firware and then install the debian one.

From my linux box that I installed upslug2 onto I ran
upslug2 -i di-nslu2.bin

This software automatically finds your slug and installs the image (obviouslt if you have more than 1 on your network problems will arise).

*NOTE* I highly recomment that you do any image upgrades via a WIRED network due to the possible packet loss that can occur via WIRELESS networks, better still connect your PC and SLUG firectly together using a X-OVER cable.

Once the program outputs Rebooting… done the box will reboot

After you have flashed the debian-installer image, your NSLU2 will boot and start the Debian installer. Since the NSLU2 does not have any IO device, SSH will be used for the installation. The installer will bring up the network, start the OpenSSH server and allow you to connect to the device using SSH. You have to wait approximately five minutes after the debian-installer firmware has been flashed before you can connect, but please be patient as it can sometimes take slightly longer, say 10-15 minutes. When the installer is ready, it will beep three times to indicate that you can now login via SSH using via the username installer and password install

Now you are able to follow the standard on screen prompts and install the OS. Be AWARE that this process does take a few HOURS so make sure you keep your terminal window OPEN otherwise you’ll have to start all over again. Also it’s worth remembering that this is a net install and thus the speed of your connection also has a big part to play in the install time. Unfortunately it’s not an ‘unattended’ install and it does prompt you for various inputs so you will have to keep checking your terminal every so often.

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133MHz Or 266MHz?

First off it appears there are in fact 2 versions of the NSLU2 one being 266MHz and an underclocked one running half speed at 133MHz. You can find out by telneting to your box and doing the old cat /proc/cpuinfo command. If you’ve got the underclocked version there is lots of info here http://www.nslu2-linux.org/wiki/HowTo/OverClockTheSlug on how to overclock it. From what i’ve read it appears models manufactured after May 2006 run at 266MHz.

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