Please note that a brand new NSLU2 doesn't use DHCP at all when booting, rather assuming that 192.168.1.77/8 is a properly working address. Them folks at Linksys are rather ignorantly assuming that their customers use their products (which all default to 192.168.1.0/8) and let them keep the factory default network settings.

Please note that a brand new NSLU2 doesn't use DHCP at all when booting, rather assuming that 192.168.1.77/8 is a properly working adress. Them folks at Linksys are rather ignorantly assuming that their customers use their products (which all default to 192.168.1.0/8) and let them keep the factory default network settings.

It is recommended that all existing Unslung users use either Sercomm's Win32 tool or UpSlug2 to perform upgrades. See UseTheResetButtonToEnterUpgradeMode for instructions on how to enter the RedBoot Upgrade Mode.

It is recommended that all existing Unslung users use either the (dead link)Sercomm's Win32 tool (working link) http://www.nslu2-linux.org/wiki/Main/SercommFirmwareUpdater or UpSlug to perform upgrades. See UseTheResetButtonToEnterUpgradeMode for instructions on how to enter the RedBoot Upgrade Mode.

Use the RedBoot Upgrade mode if this does not work

You may also send an email to Johnny in Vänge to get support.

There are also other alternatives you can use to install firmware without using the standard web interface or redboot upgrade mode, but they're much harder and unsupported.

Note that when you install the Unslung firmware, you are completely replacing the previous firmware that was on the device. You are not adding Unslung to the existing firmware, you are replacing the existing firmware with Unslung.

If you wish to use Unslung to replace the factory firmware, then you can do so using the normal Linksys web interface. See the user manual that came with your NSLU2 for instructions on how to access this feature.

Always disconnect all disks from your NSLU2 before starting the firmware upgrade procedure.

Brand New NSLU2? Use The Linksys Interface

Previous Unslung User? Use the RedBoot Upgrade Mode

Other Methods

Below are instructions for installing the Unslung firmware, categorised by existing firmware version.

Brand New NSLU2? Use The Linksys Interface

If you wish to Unslung on top of factory firmware, then you can do so using the normal Linksys web interface. See the user manual that came with your NSLU2 for instructions on how to access this feature.

Previous Unslung User? Use the RedBoot Upgrade Mode

It is recommended that all existing Unslung users use either the Sercomm's Win32 tool or UpSlug to perform upgrades. See UseTheResetButtonToEnterUpgradeMode for instructions on how to enter the RedBoot Upgrade Mode.

There are also other alternatives you can use to install firmware without using the standard web interface or redboot upgrade mode, but they're much harder and supported.

Always disconnect all disks from your NSLU2 before starting the firmware upgrade procedure.

It is recommended that all Unslung users use either the Sercomm's Win32 tool or UpSlug to perform upgrades.

Brand New NSLU2 or Unslung 1.x or 2.x? Use The Linksys Interface

Do not press the Ok button on the 'Enter Upgrade Mode' confirmation dialog box unless you have UpSlug or SerComm at hand (or console access).

There are several versions of Unslung firmware. While older versions could be flashed to the NSLU2 from the Linksys web interface, this may not work for current versions.

Below are instructions for installing the Unslung firmware, by firmware version.

Unslung 5 and beyond

Unslung 5.x removes Maintenance Mode and replaces it with Upgrade Mode, which is a mechanism to enter RedBoot's upgrade mode from the web interface.

It is recommended that all Unslung 5.x users use either the Sercomm's Win32 tool or UpSlug to perform future upgrades.

Do not press the Ok button on the 'Enter Upgrade Mode' confirmation dialog box unless you have UpSlug? or SerComm at hand (or console access).

See RecoverFromABadFlash for more info.

Unslung 4.x? Avoid The Web Interface

While Unslung 4.x has a Maintenance Mode function, it does not work correctly due to coding changes that were made to open up even more RAM for programs. For more information about these problems, see AboutMaintenanceMode.

It is recommended that all Unslung 4.x users use either the Sercomm's Win32 tool or UpSlug to perform future upgrades.

See RecoverFromABadFlash for more info.

Brand New NSLU2 and Unslung 1.x or 2.x? Use The Linksys Interface

If you wish to Unslung on top of factory firmware or Unslung versions 1.x or 2.x, then you can do so using the normal Linksys web interface. See the user manual that came with your NSLU2 for instructions on how to access this feature.

The best way to flash using the web interface is to remove everything from the Disk1 and Disk2 ports, then reboot the NSLU2, then flash immediately after boot without attaching any disks or attempting to do anything else.

WARNING: Hitting the back button after a fw upgrade can bring up the "Can't... do you want to refresh?" dialog. If you choose "yes", refreshing the upgrade page can start a new upgrade and corrupt the slug so it won't boot. I was able to recover with the sercomm utility. -Funhouse

WARNING: Hitting the back button after a fw upgrade can bring up the "Can't... do you want to refresh?" dialog. If you choose "yes", refreshing the upgrade page can start a new upgrade and corrupt the slug so it won't boot. I was able to recover with the sercomm utility. -Funhouse

As always, you should follow the Readme to the letter when installing new firmware.

It is recommended that all Unslung 4.x users use either the Sercomm's Win32 tool or UpSlug to perform future upgrades.

Unslung 5.x removes Maintenance Mode and replaces it with Upgrade Mode, which is a mechanism to enter RedBoot's upgrade mode from the

It is recommended that all Unslung 5.x users use either the Sercomm's Win32 tool or UpSlug to perform future upgrades.

See RecoverFromABadFlash for a step-by-step description on how to perform these other methods.

Do not press the Ok button on the 'Enter Upgrade Mode' confirmation dialog box unless you have UpSlug? or SerComm at hand (or console access).

It is recommended that all Unslung 5.x users use either the Sercomm's Win32 tool or UpSlug to perform future upgrades.

Do not press the Ok button on the 'Enter Upgrade Mode' confirmation dialog box unless you have UpSlug?/SerComm at hand (or console access).

Unslung 3.x? Don't Forget Maintenance Mode

Brand New NSLU2? Use The Linksys Interface

The best way to flash using the web interface is to remove everything from the Disk1 and Disk2 ports, then reboot the NSLU2, then flash immediately after boot without attaching any disks or attempting to do anything else.

Unslung 3.x? Don't Forget Maintenace Mode

With version 3.x there is an additional step to do before using the web interface. With version 3.x the Unslung firmware runs directly from the internal flash memory or external hard disk, rather than being loaded into a ramdisk and running from there. This means that more RAM is available for programs, and you are able to make changes to the root filesystem which are persistent across reboots.

However, this new versatility comes at a small cost: *When upgrading from Unslung 3.x or higher* you have to put the slug into "maintenance mode" (via the web interface, go to "administration", "advanced", "upgrade" and click "Enter maintenance mode") before you can use the standard web interface to upgrade your firmware. For more information, see AboutMaintenanceMode.

As always, you should follow the Readme to the letter when installing new firmware.

Unslung 4.x? Avoid The Web Interface

While Unslung 4.x has a Maintenance Mode function, it does not work correctly due to coding changes that were made to open up even more RAM for programs. For more information about these problems, see AboutMaintenanceMode.

It is recommended that all Unslung 4.x users use either the Sercomm's Win32 tool or UpSlug to perform future upgrades.

See RecoverFromABadFlash for more info.

Unslung 5.x and beyond

Unslung 5.x removes Maintenance Mode and replaces it with Upgrade Mode, which is a mechanism to enter Redboot's upgrade mode from the web interface.

It is recommended that all Unslung 5.x users use either the Sercomm's Win32 tool or UpSlug to perform future upgrades.

See RecoverFromABadFlash for more info.

Other Methods

Starting with version 3.x there is an additional step to do before using the web interface. With version 3.x and higher, the Unslung firmware runs directly from the internal flash memory or external hard disk, rather than being loaded into a ramdisk and running from there. This means that more RAM is available for programs, and you are able to make changes to the root filesystem which are persistent across reboots. However, this new versatility comes at a small cost: *When upgrading from Unslung 3.x or higher* you have to put the slug into "maintenance mode" (via the web interface, go to "administration", "advanced", "upgrade" and click "Enter maintenance mode") before you can use the standard web interface to upgrade your firmware. More information AboutMaintenanceMode.

Always disconnect all disks from your NSLU2 before starting the firmware upgrade procedure. Yes, even before putting the NSLU2 in maintenance mode.

Harder Methods

If you wish to Unslung on top of factory firmware or Unslung versions 1.x or 2.x, then you can do so using the normal Linksys web interface. See the user manual that came with your NSLU2 for instructions on how to access this feature.

Starting with version 3.x there is an additional step to do before using the web interface. With version 3.x and higher, the Unslung firmware runs directly from the internal flash memory or external hard disk, rather than being loaded into a ramdisk and running from there. This means that more RAM is available for programs, and you are able to make changes to the root filesystem which are persistent across reboots. However, this new versatility comes at a small cost: *When upgrading from Unslung 3.x or higher* you have to put the slug into "maintenance mode" (via the web interface, go to "administration", "advanced", "upgrade" and click "Enter maintenance mode") before you can use the standard web interface to upgrade your firmware.

Easy Method : Use The Linksys Interface

If you wish to Unslung on top of factory firmware or versions 1.x or 2.x, then you can do so using the normal Linksys web interface. See the user manual that came with your NSLU2 for instructions on how to access this feature.

Starting with version 3.x there is an additional step to do before using the web interface. With version 3.x and higher, the Unslung firmware runs directly from the internal flash memory, rather than being loaded into a ramdisk and run from there. This means that more RAM is available for programs, and you are able to make changes to the root filesystem which are persistent across reboots. However, this new versatility comes at a small cost: *When upgrading from Unslung 3.x* you have to put the slug into "maintenance mode" (via the web interface, go to "administration", "advanced", "upgrade" and click "Enter maintenance mode") before you can use the standard web interface to upgrade your firmware.

The best way to flash using the web interface is to remove everything from the Disk1 and Disk2 ports, then reboot the NSLU2, then flash immediately after boot (without attaching any disks).

As always, you should follow the Readme to the letter when installing new firmware.

Hard Methods

There are also other alternatives you can use to install firmware without using the standard web interface, but they're much harder and not for first time installers.

See RecoverFromABadFlash for a step-by-step description on how to perform these other methods.

1. Redboot Method
   
   If you have access to a TFTP server or HTTP server on the same subnet as the NSLU2, and are able to copy the firmware image file onto that server, then you can telnet to RedBoot and load the firmware image from that server.
2. SerComm Method
   
   If you have access to a Windows PC on the same subnet as the NSLU2, then you can use the SerComm Upgrade Utility.
3. Upslug Method
   
   If you have access to a Linux computer on the same subnet as the NSLU2, and are able to compile a small C program, then you can use the UpSlug Firmware Uploading Tool.

If someone, who knows more than myself, could have a look at the tip in IncreaseSpaceAvailableForPackages referring to exiting Maintenance mode. It seems these instructions may need some mention of it??

Starting with version 3.x, the Unslung firmware runs directly from the internal flash memory, rather than being loaded into a ramdisk and run from there. This means that more RAM is available for programs, and you are able to make changes to the root filesystem which are persistent across reboots. However, this new versatility comes at a small cost: *When upgrading from Unslung 3.x* you have to put the slug into "maintenance mode" (via the web interface, go to "administration", "advanced", "upgrade" and click "Enter maintenance mode") before you can use the standard web interface to upgrade your firmware.

Starting with version 3.x, the Unslung firmware runs directly from the internal flash memory, rather than being loaded into a ramdisk and run from there. This means that more RAM is available for programs, and you are able to make changes to the root filesystem which are persistent across reboots. However, this new versatility comes at a small cost: you have to put the slug into "maintenance mode" (via the web interface, go to "administration", "advanced", "upgrade" and click "Enter maintenance mode") before you can use the standard web interface to upgrade your firmware.

• To use options 2 or 3 you need to be in RedBoot's upgrade mode (if the slug is in the "running" state it will cause read/write errors since the system will try to read from the JFFS2 while it is being overwritten). To enter upgrade mode you have two options. First, you can get a redboot prompt and then type upgrade. You can also hold down the reset button when turning on the slug and this should put you in upgrade mode also. If you do use either of these tools outside of upgrade mode, you will get a bad flash. This flash can be recovered from by simply using the same tool again but it is better to avoid the situation.

Starting with version 3.x, the Unslung firmware runs directly from the internal flash memory, rather than being loaded into a ramdisk and run from there. This means that more RAM is available for programs, and you are able to make changes to the root filesystem which are persistent across reboots. However, this new versatility comes at a small cost: you have to put the slug into "maintenance mode" (that is: boot without drives connected) before you can use the standard web interface to upgrade your firmware.

Starting with version 3.x, the Unslung firmware runs directly from the internal flash memory, rather than being loaded into a ramdisk and run from there. This means that more RAM is available for programs, and you are able to make changes to the root filesystem which are persistent across reboots. However, this new versatility comes at a small cost: you have to put the slug into "maintenance mode" beore you can use the standard web interface to upgrade your firmware.

There are also other alternatives you can use to install firmware without using the standard web interface:

If you wish to install Unslung versions 1.x or 2.x, then you can do so using the normal Linksys web interface. See the user manual that came with your NSLU2 for instructions on how to do this. The best way to flash using the web interface is to remove everything from the Disk1 and Disk2 ports, then reboot the NSLU2, then flash immediately after boot (without attaching any disks).

If you wish to install Unslung versions 1.x or 2.x, then you can do so using the normal Linksys web interface. See the user manual that came with your NSLU2 for instructions on how to do this.

• To use options 2 or 3 you need to be in RedBoot's upgrade mode (if the slug is in the "running" state it will cause read/write errors since the system will try to read from the JFFS2 while it is being overwritten). To enter upgrade mode you have two options. First, you can get a redboot prompt and then type upgrade. You can also hold down the reset button when turning on the slug and this should put you in upgrade mode also. If you do use either of these tools outside of upgrade mode, you will get a bad flash. This flash can be recovered from by simply using the same tool again but it is better to avoid the situation.

1. If you have access to a TFTP server or HTTP server on the same subnet as the NSLU2, and are able to copy the firmware image file onto that server, then you can telnet to RedBoot and load the firmware image from that server. See RecoverFromABadFlash.

• To use the following options you need to be in RedBoot's upgrade mode (if the slug is in the "running" state it will cause read/write errors since the system will try to read from the JFFS2 while it is being overwritten). To enter upgrade mode you have two options. First, you can get a redboot prompt and then type upgrade. You can also hold down the reset button when turning on the slug and this should put you in upgrade mode also. If you do use either of these tools outside of upgrade mode, you will get a bad flash. This flash can be recovered from by simply using the same tool again but it is better to avoid the situation.

• To use option 1 or 2 you need to be in RedBoot's upgrade mode (if the slug is in the "running" state it will cause read/write errors since the system will try to read from the JFFS2 while it is being overwritten). To enter upgrade mode you have two options. First, you can get a redboot prompt and then type upgrade. You can also hold down the reset button when turning on the slug and this should put you in upgrade mode also. If you do use either of these tools outside of upgrade mode, you will get a bad flash. This flash can be recovered from by simply using the same tool again but it is better to avoid the situation.

• To use option 1 or 2 you need to be in RedBoot's upgrade mode (if the slug is in the "running" state it will cause read/write errors since the system will try to read from the JFFS2 while it is being overwritten). To enter upgrade mode you have two options. First, you can get a redboot prompt and then type upgrade. You can also hold down the power button when turning on the slug and this should put you in upgrade mode also. If you do use either of these tools outside of upgrade mode, you will get a bad flash. This flash can be recovered from by simply using the same tool again but it is better to avoid the situation.

• To used option 1 or 2 you need to be in RedBoot's upgrade mode (if the slug is in the "running" state it will cause read/write errors since the system will try to read from the JFFS2 while it is being overwritten). To enter upgrade mode you have two options. First, you can get a redboot prompt and then type upgrade. You can also hold down the power button when turning on the slug and this should put you in upgrade mode also. If you do use either of these tools outside of upgrade mode, you will get a bad flash. This flash can be recovered from by simply using the same tool again but it is better to avoid the situation.

• To used option 1 or 2 you need to be in RedBoot's upgrade mode (if the slug is in the "running" state it will cause read/write errors since the system will try to read from the JFFS2 while it is being overwritten). To enter upgrade mode you have two options. First, you can get a redboot prompt and then type upgrade. You can also hold down the power button when turning on the slug and this should put you in upgrade mode also. If you do use either of these tools outside of upgrade mode, you will get a bad flash. This flash can be recovered from by simply using these tools again but it is better to avoid the situation.

• To used option 1 or 2 you need to be in RedBoot's upgrade mode (if the slug is in the running state it will cause I/O since the system is reading from the JFFS2 while it is being overwritte). To enter upgrade mode you have two options. First, you can get a redboot prompt and then type upgrade. You can also hold down the power button when turning on the slug and this should put you in upgrade mode also. If you do use either of these tools outside of upgrade mode, you will get a bad flash. This flash can be recovered from by simply using these tools again but it is better to avoid the situation.

1. If you have access to a Windows PC on the same subnet as the NSLU2, then you can use the http://www.sercomm.com/web/download.nsf/cd9678c311095856482566a5000aac9e/7f17bf7344cfc12f482566aa00389845/$FILE/Upgrade_207_XP.exe SerComm Upgrade Utility.

If you cannot achieve any of the above means of flashing firmware images, then please do not install Unslung 3.x or later, as you will not be able to replace it with a later version (or with the standard Linksys firmware) without using one of the above methods.

Starting with version 3.x, the Unslung firmware runs directly from the internal flash memory, rather than being loaded into a ramdisk and run from there. This means that more RAM is available for programs, and you are able to make changes to the root filesystem which are persistent across reboots. However, this new versatility comes at a small cost: you can no longer use the standard web interface to upgrade your firmware once you have installed Unslung 3.x or later.

To install firmware without using the standard web interface, you have a number of options:

1. If you have access to a Windows PC on the same subnet as the NSLU2, then you can use the SerComm Upgrade Utility (details TBD).
2. If you have access to a Linux computer on the same subnet as the NSLU2, and are able to compile a small C program, then you can use the UpSlug UpSlug Firmware Uploading Tool?.
3. If you have access to a TFTP server or HTTP server on the same subnet as the NSLU2, and are able to copy the firmware image file onto that server, then you can telnet to RedBoot and load the firmware image from that server. See RecoverFromABadFlash.
4. If you cannot achieve any of the above means of flashing firmware images, then please do not install Unslung 3.x or later, as you will not be able to replace it with a later version (or with the standard Linksys firmware) without using one of the above methods.