Transfer Dreambox Plugins to PC using NFS

Transfer Plugins to PC using NFS

Plugins can be mounted on the PC using NFS, thereby saving scarce var space, particularly in the smaller Dreamboxes.
This can be done with the following simple steps.
These steps are to be carried out in strict sequence.
I have been using this method with a DM5620 and with Windows XP Home in the pc.

(A) SET UP NFS (This and section (cool.gif were originally described in the dreambox.net.au site which has now closed.
I have modified for use with Gemini1.04 )

1. Download and unzip the attached TrueGridNFS server tgpnfs10.zip (Freeware)

2. Create an etc directory on your pc such as :-

C:\WINDOWS\etc

3. Create a share directory on your pc for the nfs share
(This can be the same folder as for CIFS mount as described in the Idiots Guide.
The simplest way to create a share folder is to rightclick on the folder - properties - sharing - select 'share

this folder in the network') such as :-

C:\dreambox

Also create the following sub directory:-

C:\dreambox\Plugins

4. Create a directory and extract NFS server (tgpnfs.zip) files on your
pc. Eg:-

C:\TrueGridNFS

5. Copy the two files from this folder, rpc and exports, to the etc directory that you created in step 2.

6. Edit the exports file. Add a line at the end of the file to point to the nfs directory you created in step 3.
The line should look like this:

/dreambox -path=c:\dreambox

7. Make sure the last line of the exports file is a blank line. Save the file.

8. With internet connected, open a command line prompt (start-Run-cmd or command-ok)
and write the command (note that each command must be followed by return) :-

cd c:\TrueGridNFS

9. Write the following two commands to register and setup the portmap and nfs services:

portmap add
nfs add

10. Write the following commands to start the services :-

nfs stop
nfs start

11. a. To show what is available to share, write the command:-

Showmount -e

The response should be :

TrueGrid SHOWMOUNT UTILITY.

COPYRIGHT © BY XYZ SCIENTIFIC APPLICATIONS, INC., 1998
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TrueGrid IS A TRADEMARK OF
XYZ SCIENTIFIC APPLICATIONS, INC.

/dreambox (everyone)

b. To show port mapping, write the command:

rpcinfo -p

The response should be:

COPYRIGHT BY XYZ SCIENTIFIC APPLICATIONS, INC., 1998
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TrueGrid IS A TRADEMARK OF
XYZ SCIENTIFIC APPLICATIONS, INC.

program vers proto port
100000 2 tcp 111 portmapper
100000 2 udp 111 portmapper
100005 1 udp 714 mountd
100005 1 tcp 717 mountd
100003 2 udp 2049 nfs

The internet can now be disconnected.


(B)MOUNT NFS

1. On the dreambox navigate to communications setup.

Setup>Expert Setup>Communications Setup>Mount Setup

2. Enter your mount info:

IP: 192.168.0.1 ......................: your pc ip
NFS
Dir: dreambox .......................: your nfs share directory
LocalDir: /hdd ........................: your db directory
Options: rw
Extra: nolock,rsize=8192,wsize=8192

3. If you put an X in the Automount box the mount will be automatically
re-established at each bootup.

4. Select Mount (green).

5. If the mount is successful SAVE the mount settings.


© MOUNT PLUGINS

1. Ftp the contents of the plugins directory in the Dreambox

/var/tuxbox/plugins/

to the new mounted plugins directory in the PC created in step A3

dreambox/plugins

2. Verify the contents have copied correctly

3. Delete the old plugins diectory in the Dreambox folder /var/tuxbox/

4. Start a telnet session. To start telnet, open the command window as before and write the command :-

telnet 192.168.0.24 (DB ip)

5. Write when prompted :-

Username=root
Password=dreambox

At command prompt write the following commands to reate a symlink to the new plugins directory:
(press enter after each line)

cd /var/tuxbox
ln -sf /hdd/plugins

when finished type: exit (enter)

***********************
Added by TG for those who want to go further with the space saving exercise:

Any var folder can be moved to the mounted directory if each time the simple steps as described by PCD are followed.
If there is for instance the weather plugin (mucho importante!!) you want to move as well, which sits in the var/tuxbox/config, all you have to do is copy the weather file into the dreambox folder, delete it and telnet:

cd /var/tuxbox/config
ln -sf /hdd/weather
exit

****************************

6. Test a plugin from the Dreambox as well as check in the PC share
that newly downloaded plugins appear there.

ps. Please note that this plugins mount and 'nfs multiboot' will not work together.
You need to unmount the plugins from hdd in order to connect by flashwizard nfs multiboot.
To unmount plugins first do 'unmount nfs' at the db, next at the pc delete the symlink you will see in /var/tuxbox by ftp,
then create (by rightclicking on any item in /var/tuxbox) a new folder (path) named plugins.
You can also copy some plugins to this folder from your share folder 'plugins' if you want to use them without nfs.