The LinkStation™ Duo is a high performance, multimedia, shared RAID network storage solution for the home and small office that requires a central location to share data files, photos, video and music.
The unit is a two drive NAS solution that can be configured in RAID 0 for performance or RAID 1 for redundant storage. In addition to the storage capabilities, stream multimedia to a PC, a Mac, a Buffalo™ LinkTheater™ and other DLNA CERTIFIED™ or UPNP media player, as well as sharing movies, photos and documents in a home or small business network via the Internet with the WebAccess feature. The LinkStation™ Duo seamlessly integrates with iTunes® and allows access to music files from your iTunes® software.
With features such as enhanced performance of up to 40MB/s, quick swap via the front panel with two removable drives and easy set-up via a simple web interface, the LinkStation™ Duo is the perfect solution to store, save & share your digital life from one central place.

This is the device.

Review.

I’ve now owned the buffalo Linkstation for about 4 Months, there not that new and seem to vary in price across the internet (keep an eye on ebuyer.co.uk for Recertified models at reduced prices).Obviously, the main job of this device is to store files, be that media files or your critical office documents. It’s easy to setup, but you may have to download some software from the buffalo website. You can setup shares, users and permission. but the real bonus of this device is the built in applications, I setup and used the Bit torrent Client, and downloaded the New version of fedora in less than ten minutes. The media server part of it works well also, and does stream nicely to my Xbox, with not problems. On my XBMC box, i connect to it via SMB rather than the UPAP/DLNA server (this allows the scraper to work properly). Again streaming this way is no issues including 1080p HD material.

The Remote WebAccess works ok, all be it, a bit slowly. Though I’m guessing this is limited to my upload speed more than any failing of the device. On 100MB LAN I could get transfer rates of around 7MB/s to my home PC. Connected to my Gigabit LAN I get 28 MB/s, (close to the advertised 40MB/s) which is OK, but not real gigabit speeds.

My XBMC device, connected with homeplugs can transfer files at around 6-7 MB’s (which is fine for most HD content, including 1080p).

Pro’s

Feature rich, DLNA server work well with Media Centre PC’s, including Windows Media centre, XBMC and XBox360.

Reliability, no hardware issues, no random reboot etc, Very stable.

Con’s

Slow GUI web interface, take five to 10 second to move between pages.

Not the quickest transfer rate even on gigabit (20-25 MBs per second).

Score 4/5 Stars. (and if you can get the 2/4 TB version for less the £200, that increase to 5/5!)

Add Passwords and Configure the Virtual terminal for logon

no enable password

     
enable secret password
service password-encryption
line vty 0 4
logging synchronous
password password
login
line vty 5 15
logging synchronous
password password
login

Configure the Switches default gateway

Conf t
IP Default-gateway 10.10.10.1

Setting up SNMP

conf t

snmp-server community public ro
snmp-server host 10.240.14.31 public
snmp-server enable traps
no snmp-server enable traps snmp linkdown
no snmp-server enable traps snmp linkup
no snmp-server enable traps syslog
end
write
exit

Enable vlan 1

Conf t
Int vlan1
no shut

Encrypting password on the switch.

Router#config t
 Router(config)#service password-encryption

 Configure ports by range

ICT_2950#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
ICT_2950(config)#interface range fa0/3 - 24
ICT_2950(config-if-range)#switchport access vlan 7
ICT_2950(config-if-range)#end
ICT_2950#write

Connecting to the Switch

Use a blue console (Roll-over) cable to connect your ‘com port’ on a laptop to the console port on the back of the switch. Using a terminal program such as ‘tera term’ connect to the switch using the com port.

Put the switch in Enable mode.

2950_DMZ>en
Password:

Reseting to factory Default

Cat2950# write erase
Erasing the nvram filesystem will remove all files! Continue? [confirm]y[OK]
Erase of nvram: complete
Cat2950#
Cat2950# reload
System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: n   
!--- Do not save the configuration at this prompt. Otherwise, the switch
!--- reloads with the current running configuration and does not reset to default.
Proceed with reload? [confirm]y

 Change the Hostname of the Switch

Put the switch into configuration mode:

Conf t
Hostliname NEWHOSTNAME
End
Copy Run Stat
Destination filename [startup-config]? <Enter>

 Turn on logging synchronous on.

This stop the system displaying message while you are typing lines in the console.

2950_DMZ#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
2950_DMZ(config)#line console 0
2950_DMZ(config-line)#logging synchronous

No Domain Lookup

To stop the switch trying to resolved incorrectly type command (as Domain Names)

2950_DMZ#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
2950_DMZ(config)#line console 0
2950_DMZ(config-line)#no ip domain-lookup

Add an IP Address to Switch.

By default all switches are configured on ‘VLAN 1’ to add an IP address to the switch you need to configure the VLAN interface with an IP address.

Show int vlan1

2950_DMZ#conf t

Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.

2950_DMZ(config)#int vlan1
2950_DMZ(config-if)#ip address 192.168.168.11 255.255.255.0
2950_DMZ(config-if)#no shut
2950_DMZ(config-if)#end
01:59:31: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface Vlan1, changed state to down
2950_DMZ(config-if)#end
2950_DMZ#copy run start

So a file call File.name-test_1.avi would become File name test.avi

The script is often helpful when managing media or importing files into a systems that requires a specific format.

'**------------------------------------------------------------------------**
'**        Mass Filename cleaner Script - used to rename files    **
'**----------                 By The Gamblor                   ---------**
'**----------                  Version 1.0                        ---------**
'**------------------------------------------------------------------------**

Dim oFSO
Dim sSourceFile
Dim sDestinationFile
 Dim FileName(), FileCounter, debugmode

debugmode=0

'On Error Resume Next
  Dim fso, folder, files, NewsFile

 Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set results = FSO.CreateTextFile("results.csv", TRUE)
  sFolder = "."
   Set folder = fso.GetFolder(sFolder)
  Set files = folder.Files

  FileCounter=1

  For each folderIdx In files
    Redim Preserve FileName(FileCounter)
    FileName(filecounter) = folderIdx.Name
    FileCounter=FileCounter+1
  Next

  For X = 1 to ubound(filename)

      rename(filename(x))

  next

  results.Close

Set oFSO= Nothing

msgbox("done " & ubound(FileName))

Function Rename(sourceName)

ext = right(sourceName,4)
NewName = Left(SourceName,len(sourcename)-4)
' Change the bit below if you need to remove or replace anything in the file name!
NewName = replace(NewName,"_"," ")
NewName = replace(NewName,"-"," ")
newName = replace(NewName,"."," ") & ext

 '  if debugmode =1 then msgbox("old name " & SourceName & " New Name " & newname)

  if sourceName = "FileCleaner.vbs" or sourceName = "results.csv" then
    ' do nothing
   else
    if debugmode =1 then msgbox("old name " & SourceName & " New Name " & newname)
    results.WriteLine(SourceName)

    FSO.MoveFile sourceName, newname
   end if

Set oFso = Nothing
End Function

Copy the above text into a file call FileCleaner.vbs, put it in the same directory as the files that need renaming and run it (double click on it). If you get an error halfway though, just run the file again.

First though, I need to Install Windows 7 and XBMC and get my remote control working ok. (all my Media is stored om my NAS box.

Hardware Used :-

Installing windows 7, was easy Just booted from the USB stick I created (as per these instructions)

Then I downloaded and Installed the XBMC 11 (eden) Beta.

getting the VRC-1100 Remote control working fully was a little tricker. to do this, edit/create a file in the following folder

“%appdata%\xbmc\userdata\keymaps”

The file should be called keyboard.xml

and the Contents need to be :-

<!--Template XBMC keyboard file-->
 <keymap>
 <global>
 <keyboard>
 <t mod="ctrl,shift">XBMC.ActivateWindow(MyPrograms)</t>
 <m mod="ctrl">XBMC.ActivateWindow(MyMusic)</m>
 <i mod="ctrl">XBMC.ActivateWindow(MyPictures)</i>
 <e mod="ctrl">XBMC.ActivateWindow(MyVideos)</e>
 <o mod="ctrl">ContextMenu</o>
 <g mod="ctrl">Info</g>
 <t mod="ctrl">OSD</t>
 <m mod="ctrl,shift">ShowSubtitles</m>
 </keyboard>
 </global>
 </keymap>

This allows me to use all the coloured buttons on the remote control. (I’ll map the second row to action at a later stage).

Next step is to Install the Aeon Nox, Skin. This can be done via the Setting Skin Menu.

Below are a useful list of hotkey’s needed within XBMC

<arrow keys> – navigate
<page up and down> – scroll up and down
<enter> – select
<esc> – previous menu
<backspace> – go up back (or up) a directory
<space> – pause
<period> – Skip Next
<comma> – Skip Previous
<tab> – Minimize Video
<backslash> – Full Screen Toggle
<printscreen> = Screen Shot
<minus> – Volume Down
<plus> – Volume Up
<0 – 9> – 0 through 9

p – Play
f – Fast Forward
c – Context menu
r – Rewind
x – Stop
m – Player controls
s – Shutdown menu
i – Info
q – Queue
z – Change aspect ratio

And here we have a screenshot of my current box.

Find basis

The default syntax of find is:

find [path] [expression]

where path is the path used as root for searching pattern and expression the expression we want the file to match.

Finding a file based on filename

If your looking for a specific file you can run

sudo find / -name fstab

This will show all instances of the fstab file and the location

If your looking for all fies of a particular type you can use

find /home -name '*.txt'

If you want to search for multiple types of file

find /home -name '*.txt' -o -name '*.doc'

Case insensitive searches can be achieved by using the -iname switch:

find /home -iname '*.txt' -o -iname '*.doc'

Finding file will specific sizes

If your looking for a file with a specific size, such as large video files you can narrow down the search by adding extra criteria.

The below command will find an mpg file over 700MB

find /home/ -name '*.mpg' -a -size +700M

Finding files Modifed recently.

What about a file modifed recently?  – This will find a file updated in the last 15 days.

find /home/ -name '*.avi' -a -size +700M -mtime -15

First Create a mount point, open a terminal promt and go to the directory you wish to create you mount point (such as /mnt)

cd /mnt
sudo mkdir Media

Then edit the /etc/fstab (sudo gedit /etc/fstab) file and add the following Line

//192.168.1.2/Media /mnt/Media cifs username=guest,uid=1000 0 0

I’ve used the IP of the linkstation Plus the share name (Media) Please remeber that its case sensitive (so media is not the same as Media)

Save the fstab file reboot your system or Run the following command.

Sudo Mount -a

This should mount the share permanently.

So you should be able to go into /mnt/Media and see all the files and folders on the link station share.

Doing it in DOS Step by Step guide.

Insert you windows 7 DVD and note down your DVD drive letter (from Windows Explore or My Computer).

In my case it’s D:

Plug in you usb stick (best to use a blank one, or backup you data that is currently on it)
Go to Start menu > All programs > Accessories, right click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Now Type DISKPART

Then Type List Disk (and note down the disk number of you USB still (It should be the smallest size, in my case Disk 1).

Now type the following

SELECT DISK 1 
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT FS=NTFS

(Format will take a while)

Once the Format is complete type the following.

ASSIGN
 EXIT

Now type D: (or what ever letter is assined to you DVD drive, as per step 1). cd boot BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 F:

F: being the Drive letter my USB stick (check in explore for yours).

Finally Type

Xcopy D: F: /E

Again making sure that you use your drive letter (D: being cd from F: being usb stick /E just mean all files and folders).

Once the copy is compete (about 10-15 mins), that should be it. Whatever device your installing it on, make sure it boots from usb, pop the pen in, and power on the machines.

I’ll Start by installing windows 7 on it and runing XBMC, Icheck the frame rate and performance with SD, 720p & 1080p.

Then I’ll do the same with Linux (Ubuntu 11.10 most likely) and XBMC and compare the performance.

I’ll also be using the system for the odd game, the On-live gaming system, Mame (and a few other emulators).

Below are the full spec of the machine.

Processor

• Intel Atom D525B 1.8GHz
• Intel NM10 chipset

Memory

• 2GB DDR3 RAM
• Expandable to 4GB
• soDIMM

Hard Drive

• 500GB SATA

Optical Drive

• None

Software

• Operating System: Linux

Display

• Monitor Not Included

Graphics

• NVIDIA ION 2

Input Devices

• USB Keyboard and Mouse

Networking

• WLAN: 802.11 B/G/N

Dimensions

• Width 36 mm
• Depth 192 mm
• Height 192 mm
• Weight approx 1.5kg

Interfaces
Front:

• Two USB 2.0 ports
• High-definition headphone and microphone jacks

Rear:

• Four USB 2.0 ports
• DC-in jack
• Ethernet (RJ-45) port
• D-Sub VGA port
• HDMI port

Expansion

• Multi-in-1 card reader

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