This post introduces an ideal and safe method to change a TS-209 II into a TS-209 Pro II, the basic idea is to fake the hardware type during system startup, thus make a perfect hack.
There’s a utility /sbin/config_util which is used for many purposes, including get/set hardware signatures, we’ll use it to change the box type.
The Method
SSH onto your TS-209 II, then enter:
mount -o loop /dev/mtdblock5 /tmp/config cd /tmp/config
Now edit autorun.sh, add the following lines:
ln -s /sbin/config_util /sbin/set_hwtype /sbin/set_hwtype 2
Then unmount the partition:
cd / umount /tmp/config
Reboot the box, enjoy your TS-209 Pro II :D
NOTICE: To examine if you’re running as TS-209 Pro II, go to Administration screen, check if you have the AD option in Microsoft Network section, and NFS in left panel.
NOTICE: The NFS in TS-209 Pro II has some limitations, you can’t mount the exported filesystems on a Mac without some hacks, to make the exports mountable on OS X, take the following steps:
1. Setup your exports as usual (through QNAP’s web interface)
2. Go to /etc/config, edit nfssetting, change the access options from rw to rw,insecure,no_subtree_check
3. Re-enable NFS service through web interface.
That’s it.
UPDATE: After upgrading to firmware 2.1.2 build 1031T, this trick still works, check the following image:
UPDATE: Another method is to create a file named hw_type with a single line of ‘0099′ and put it into /dev/mtdblock5, then reboot. This may require reflashing with PRO firmware, tried it on 0904T non-PRO firmware and failed, succeeded with 1031T PRO firmware.
UPDATE: Just did a byte-to-byte comparison between 1031T PRO and STD firmwares, they are the same. So I guess the only difference between two types are hidden in /dev/mtdblock0 ~ /dev/mtdblock5, maybe the hw_type is the key.
20 Comments
It works also on TS-109 and TS-109 Pro ?
Thanks a lot,
Max
I would say it’ll work on TS-109 as well, just give it a try, if in any case it doesn’t work, just revert back, you won’t lose anything.
I tested the 2 method, without success.
In the first method, the autorun.sh file does not exist.
I create but to no avail.
In the second method hw_type file already exists, with 0055 inside.
I change 0055 in 0099, without success either.
@Hugon,
For the 1st method, it should work because other people have succeeded, the reason you failed might be that your autorun.sh is not ok, make sure it’s a Unix sript file (Windows notepad CANNOT create the correct script file), i.e. it has the contents like:
and you give it right permission:
For the 2nd method, as I wrote in the post, you probably need to reflash with a PRO firmware.
thank you for your clarification
now it works
It works also with TS-109, i have used 2nd method.
Thanks !!!
I’m a total linux noob. I want to try the method with the hw_type file but i don’t know how to create that file and put it on my 109.
I’ve downloaded putty (Windows XP) and established a ssh connection. Then i login with admin and password admin to get to root dir. Then i’m stuck.
Please can someone help me. TIA !
OK, problem solved. My 109 is now a 109 PRO. I changed the 0055 setting to 0099 in the hw_type file. I used the combination of Putty (for mounting) and WinSCP (for editing). Reflashed the firmware with the latest PRO version 2.1.2 build 1114T and now I can see NFS access in the control panel.
You officially roxor x2 this works too (Method 1) Method 2 did not work for me even after flashing. The hw_type file already had 0099 as its contents. My model is the TS-209 1 non-pro version
#Q1: I have planned to purchase TS-209 in order to save round 100 euros comparing to TS-209 pro or TS-209 II. Is it possible to “upgrade” std. 209 to 209 Pro? The product looks good enough, but the NFS support will be make life easier with my linux based satellite receiver. Are your instructions applicaple also for 209?
#Q2: There is “smart fan” feature in QNAP products. Does it really work? - I mean lower noise when idle. Is there “spin-down” feature option in software to make NAS quiet?
@Mr.HH,
A1: I think it’s the same for 209 because the only difference between a 209 and a 209II is the memory (128MB vs 256MB).
A2: Check the official forum, you’ll find plenty of info on spin-down feature, I personally didn’t try it because my NAS has been busy downloading stuffs :)
Where should autorun.sh be? I don’t see it anywhere on the drive after using WinSCP to ftp into it.
This is for a 109 II model
I guess it might help to explain the steps a bit more?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Well, after digging a lot more, I learned how to use the #vi command, but autorun.sh STILL doesn’t exist. I tried creating one using WINSCP…it showed up, but is EMPTY, which I’m guessing it’s correct.
Tried using the empty one, editing it to show the lines above using Putty (#vi), but still no luck.
Ever have one of those days?
3rd time is a charm apparently. Worked after at third try with the #vi command via putty.
Thanks for the great hack!
None of the methods worked for me on a TS-109 II with version 2.1.2 1114T. So what I did was:
1) use a program called WinSCP and login in SFTP mode. Make sure you use your admin account.
2) Now go to tmp/hw_type.
3) Right-click >> edit >> this file should be empty. Just add 0099 to it and save. Close the file.
4) Reboot by logging into the Web Interface from your broswer >> Administration >> System Tools >> Restart/Shutdown (left menu) and restart the system. It should take approximately 5 minutes. After a series of beeps the web interface will auto-log you back into the web interface. Go to home page of your Web Interface and you should see your TS-109 II is now a pro.
Why there was 2 versions? Money grab. It’s a $100 difference here in Canada.
Thank-you George for the help. =]
I try the first methode on my TS-209II 2.2.2 1113
I reboot and now nothing work. A few time after restart, there’s 2 bip and then nothing. It’s impossible to connect with ssh telnet or the web interface.
My nas is now out of work.
What else can I do now?
Hugh,
Either:
1) Press and hold the reset button behind your NAS and try booting again.
2) Or, alternatively, download/open the QNAP Finder utility (it can be found on their website or the CD) and reload the latest firmware.
Good luck.
Great stuff! Even I bought the Pro…
Here’s another thing you could investigate: I’d like to install Debian on the Qnap. The only thing which bothers is that the Twonky Media won’t work because the license is missing.
So maybe there’s a hack you can find to make it work?
George,
I am new to Mac and Linux and have two questions for you:
1. I have tried to follow you instructions above, but how can I edit the autorun.sh file?
2. Can you direct me to a site where I can read about, how to setup my TS-209 II with all its functionality in an environment with a MacBook Pro and a MacBook?
Greeatly appreciaated
Thanks for the tip!
The first method mentioned worked perfectly on my TS-109.
I now have the missing NFS I was so hoping for.
Thanks again.