snap server 4100 jtag/serial port
 

I've run into numerous system failures over the last months and started thinking about installation a custom linux distro inside the server. So yesterday, I opened the case and started looking to find something that might look like a serial port that would helps debugging an eventual linux kernel. Then I saw on this forum that snap OS is actually stored in flash. Does anyone have found some jtag points on the board ?

We could make some interesting projects (Apache server, icecast server, radio automation etc.) with another OS, less prone to disk check failures.

Re: snap server 4100 jtag/serial port
 

Whats a jtag ???

Snap used hardware that had extra features that were disabled in BIOS and/or not populated to save cost.

The SnapOS is in Intel Hex Code. If that helps any.

Re: snap server 4100 jtag/serial port
 

JTAG is Joint Test Action Group

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JTAG


Its a fancy serial port

Re: snap server 4100 jtag/serial port
 

Some of the early boards have the header for a the RS232. Phoenix had one the actually had the com port's db9, if I recall. Most have a ISP port which lookes like a IDE. The v1 2000 had com ports and even a SCSI header that was not populated.

It would be nice to figure out how to put some other OS on these things. The 1100 and 2200 are going to be the easyest to do, since they all ready use a std boot loader. May be easy as connecting a IDE CD rom drive and the HD. But you have to have one that supports teleport since there is no video.

Re: snap server 4100 jtag/serial port
 

A lot of the linux distro's have SSH installers...

Re: snap server 4100 jtag/serial port
 

@blue68f100:
I noticed that there's a flash chip connected close to that connector (the IDE-style connector). What do you mean by ISP port ?

@re3dyb0y
Would be easy, but this makes no sense. Have you ever connected over SSH on your Snap Server ? It seems there's no access to any kind of terminal/console on that board.

Re: snap server 4100 jtag/serial port
 

The flash chip is where the OS is stored.

The ISP port is a special port for testing the MB at the factory and/or trouble shooting a MB problem. This is just my guess. It on most SnapOS MB's.

SSH is used on the guardian units to access the shell.

Re: snap server 4100 jtag/serial port
 

Didnt mean that

If you say attached a cd drive or something to the unit (or put a linux image onto the hard drive) and it booted from it, and it was a network install, it would have to have something such as SSH to connect to it - I know debian did when i put it on my NSLU2