Hack a Dell PV715n to run as a Snap Server 4400

howiecanvey · 02-10-2007, 02:58 AM

Hi there,

I've just bought a PV715n and have noticed the hardware looks almost identical to the Snap Sever 4400.

Running Windows headless is a right pain and I've been trying various options, FreeNAS , OpenFiler etc..

Has anyone tried to convert a 715n to run the Guardian OS?
If so can you share your experiences/problems/solutions/iso's etc.

On the subject of running headless or should I say trying to add a a keyboard, mouse and a monitor, For set up I've used a vga card plugged into the PCI port, I've also wondered if that (for setup) adding a 2U PCI riser to enable a VGA and USB card is possible. The usb to run mouse and keyboard.

Finally, on the motherboard, there are a couple of sets of header pins JP2 + JP3. I thought that the 9pin (JP3) could have been USB but is has 10v and not the 5v normally associated with USB. I assume that it's actually a second com port header as in the BIOS there is an option to activate COM2.
I don't have a clue what JP2 is. It's a 6pin header, is this perhaps USB. Anysuggestions anyone?

Best Regards,
Howie http://www.dincom.co.uk/bq/

blue68f100 · 02-10-2007, 07:03 AM

There was a thread 6 mo or so back that a user was able to load Freebsd on a 4500(?), 4200(?). It required changing some flags but it worked. I don't remember the details. I assume you are wanting to do this because you do not have the Guardian OS, and or loaded on a HD. In that thread I posted pictures of my 4500 for users to see the differences. The user also posted ones for the 4200/4400. I would suggest searching the threads use 4400 or 4200 and see if you can find it.

howiecanvey · 02-10-2007, 07:53 AM

I have been running FreeNAS which is a flavour of Freebsd.

I also have 3x Dell 705n's and 1x Snap 4100, all with various versions of Snap OS and I'm happy or should I say familar with their look/feel/usage. I was therefore looking at options that I could take with the 715n.

Best Regards,
Howie
http://list.dincom.co.uk/

blue68f100 · 02-10-2007, 11:04 AM

Here is the thread I was looking for. It will allow you to load FreeBSD.

http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/sho...highlight=4500

Connect a Null modem cable to the com port on the back to your pc. Then setup Hyperterminal with 115200, n, 8, 1. Then have it capture the screen. Things scroll a lot faster than I can read, this way you can see what you missed.

Davesworld · 02-25-2007, 02:43 PM

He wants to run a 715 as a 4400 which basically means installing Guardian on it. Both the Snaps and Powervaults above 4100/705 actually are pretty standard pc's and can even have a mouse, keyboard and monitor connected, they also have pci expansion slots. Running BSD was never an issue as he already has FreeNas running on one. BTW, the latest FreeNas has ISCSI capability now. Does anyone even have access to Guardian?

re3dyb0y · 02-25-2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davesworld

He wants to run a 715 as a 4400 which basically means installing Guardian on it. Both the Snaps and Powervaults above 4100/705 actually are pretty standard pc's and can even have a mouse, keyboard and monitor connected, they also have pci expansion slots. Running BSD was never an issue as he already has FreeNas running on one. BTW, the latest FreeNas has ISCSI capability now. Does anyone even have access to Guardian?

Even if someone did have the os files, your stuck without a way to install it

At best, a HD image of a guardian unit could be used, if it would work at all

02-10-2007, 02:58 AM	#1
howiecanvey Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: UK Posts: 2	Hack a Dell PV715n to run as a Snap Server 4400 Hi there, I've just bought a PV715n and have noticed the hardware looks almost identical to the Snap Sever 4400. Running Windows headless is a right pain and I've been trying various options, FreeNAS , OpenFiler etc.. Has anyone tried to convert a 715n to run the Guardian OS? If so can you share your experiences/problems/solutions/iso's etc. On the subject of running headless or should I say trying to add a a keyboard, mouse and a monitor, For set up I've used a vga card plugged into the PCI port, I've also wondered if that (for setup) adding a 2U PCI riser to enable a VGA and USB card is possible. The usb to run mouse and keyboard. Finally, on the motherboard, there are a couple of sets of header pins JP2 + JP3. I thought that the 9pin (JP3) could have been USB but is has 10v and not the 5v normally associated with USB. I assume that it's actually a second com port header as in the BIOS there is an option to activate COM2. I don't have a clue what JP2 is. It's a 6pin header, is this perhaps USB. Anysuggestions anyone? Best Regards, Howie http://www.dincom.co.uk/bq/

02-10-2007, 07:03 AM	#2
blue68f100 Thermophile Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 3,135	Re: Hack a Dell PV715n to run as a Snap Server 4400 There was a thread 6 mo or so back that a user was able to load Freebsd on a 4500(?), 4200(?). It required changing some flags but it worked. I don't remember the details. I assume you are wanting to do this because you do not have the Guardian OS, and or loaded on a HD. In that thread I posted pictures of my 4500 for users to see the differences. The user also posted ones for the 4200/4400. I would suggest searching the threads use 4400 or 4200 and see if you can find it. __________________ 1 Snap 4500 - 1.0T (4 x 250gig WD2500SB RE), Raid5, 1 Snap 4500 - 1.6T (4 x 400gig Seagates), Raid5, 1 Snap 4200 - 4.0T (4 x 2gig Seagates), Raid5, Using SATA converts from Andy Link to SnapOS FAQ's http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=13820

02-10-2007, 07:53 AM	#3
howiecanvey Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: UK Posts: 2	Re: Hack a Dell PV715n to run as a Snap Server 4400 I have been running FreeNAS which is a flavour of Freebsd. I also have 3x Dell 705n's and 1x Snap 4100, all with various versions of Snap OS and I'm happy or should I say familar with their look/feel/usage. I was therefore looking at options that I could take with the 715n. Best Regards, Howie http://list.dincom.co.uk/

02-10-2007, 11:04 AM	#4
blue68f100 Thermophile Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 3,135	Re: Hack a Dell PV715n to run as a Snap Server 4400 Here is the thread I was looking for. It will allow you to load FreeBSD. http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/sho...highlight=4500 Connect a Null modem cable to the com port on the back to your pc. Then setup Hyperterminal with 115200, n, 8, 1. Then have it capture the screen. Things scroll a lot faster than I can read, this way you can see what you missed. __________________ 1 Snap 4500 - 1.0T (4 x 250gig WD2500SB RE), Raid5, 1 Snap 4500 - 1.6T (4 x 400gig Seagates), Raid5, 1 Snap 4200 - 4.0T (4 x 2gig Seagates), Raid5, Using SATA converts from Andy Link to SnapOS FAQ's http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=13820 Last edited by blue68f100; 02-10-2007 at 11:10 AM.

02-25-2007, 02:43 PM	#5
Davesworld Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 45	Re: Hack a Dell PV715n to run as a Snap Server 4400 He wants to run a 715 as a 4400 which basically means installing Guardian on it. Both the Snaps and Powervaults above 4100/705 actually are pretty standard pc's and can even have a mouse, keyboard and monitor connected, they also have pci expansion slots. Running BSD was never an issue as he already has FreeNas running on one. BTW, the latest FreeNas has ISCSI capability now. Does anyone even have access to Guardian?

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