GFK's Palace

The NSLU2 is a single board computer made by Linksys. It was designed to act as a Network Attached Storage, but smart folks found out that it was running Linux and figured out ways to make it behave like a tiny linux server. And best of all, you can get one for less than US$100. The NSLU2 has been affectuously nicknamed the slug by the linux users.

I had already bought a slug a couple months ago, knowing that it would come in handy one day or another -- it turns out I was right. I didn't do much with it back then, so when I decided to use it for the 900 MHz link, I first had to learn how it worked.

I went to the NSLU2-Linux web site and installed Unslung, the recommended firmware for new users. The process was simple but a bit long, but when it was done I was able to long into the NSLU2 and use it as a linux server.

However, when I tried to install PPP, I found out that it was not available as a package for Unslung. I asked on the NSLU2-Linux mailing list and people suggested that I rather used OpenSlug, a less user-friendly but more powerful version of the firmware.

That's what I did and I actually found it easier to use, it doesn't have all the features of the original slug but I don't need them anyway.

Overclocking the slug

For some unknown reason, Linksys decided to run the slug at 133 MHz, despite the fact that Intel, the maker of the chip, designed it to run at 266 MHz -- twice as fast. Fortunately, the smart folks at NSLU2-Linux found out an easy way of doing this. I only needed to remove one miniature resistor. I used an exacto blade to cut the solder on the left side of the resistor, then carefully inserted the tip of the blade under the resistor to lift it, then the solder on the right side of the resistor broke and the chip felt on the table.

I sent a spray of compressed air one the board to make sure that no solder residue would get stuck somewhere a cause a short circuit. The whole operation took about 30 seconds; I found it much harder to open the case than to remove the resistor.

Force Power-On

When I plug the slug, it doesn't start automatically, I need to press the power button. This is not something that's easy to do if the slug is in a sealed box on top of a 20' pole. Fortunately, one again, the smart folks at NSLU2-Linux have come up with a solution.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem very easy for someone with poor soldering skills like me. I'm not sure what I'll do. I may try to do it myself or ask a more talented solderer...