I bought a preconfigured flash drive from LimeTech and I'm wondering if I still need to install preclear and unmenu onto the flash before I install the drive in my new server? I know they are not actually a part of unraid but not sure if LimeTech installs them anyway?

They are user contributed add-ons...

unMenu is certainly not on the flash. While Tom likes the preclear script, I'd be very surprised if its on the flash.

 

I'd go one step at a time.

Get the stock unRAID up and running, that way if there are any hardware issues, etc. they can be sorted out.

Then go out for the add-ons.

 

If you're starting your first unRAID server, preclear isn't really required...it's a big help later if you want to ADD or REPLACE a drive to your existing array. 

If you're just starting up, the value in preclear is that it will 'stress test' the drives and can help spot potential problems.

Ok. I've got the construction nearly finished. I'm missing the sas to sata cables for my controller card. They haven't come in yet, but I think it'll be simple to install them later. The flash drive I had planned on putting in an internal USB port so I wanted to go ahead and install anything that needed to be installed now while the case is open. Should I re-think which port I use? Also not sure what should be my next step. I had planned to run memtest and preclear. Just to be clear I have not done any startup yet.

Memtest would be good to run...and I believe it will run without any drives.

 

Installing the flash INSIDE the box is my goal, but after a year, mine still sticks out the back.

So I have to tell you my own experience...I'm a neophyte with Linux.

The whole 'telnet in' to the unraid to work on the  flash drive was a bit strange at first.

Out of frustration (because I wasn't really sure where I was at in the file structure),

for the first month or so, I'd shut down unRaid, pull the flash, plug it into my Mac and install stuff. (plugins, scripts, etc.)

Setting up the Flash as a shared network device didn't occur to me until later. Now it seems obvious, I suppose.

 

I'm past that now...and could probably move the flash inside. Watching the forums, though, I see frequent instances where the flash needs to be removed and plugged into a PC for chkdsk fixes. (Mac uses Disk Utility). This is often after a bad shutdown, such as pushing the panic power off button, or a power failure.  And so, since opening my case is a pain, I'll probably continue to let the flash stick out the back.

 

Your mileage and comfort may vary.

 

Yes. I decided it would probably be best to install the flash in an external port. Still trying to figure out how to run memtest from IPMI though.

 

How did you set the flash as a share?

So unRAID has to be running...you can't get there from the Boot up screen.

But after you've built your array, you'll see the flash identified on the main GUI screen...its just another 'drive'.

 

In unRAID a 'drive share' is done from the main GUI page. click on the drive, then on SMB Security Settings, set the option to 'Export = Yes'

then to access it from your PC, something like "smb://192.168.1.50/flash". or "smb://192.168.1.50/disk1"  (that's my Mac 'Connect to Server...' string. Use your tower address.  On a PC, i think 'flash' will show up in the network drop down on the left of windows explorer window.)

 

I'm not sure--and have never tried-- 'starting the array' with no hard drives at all...which sounds like your situation..I've no idea what would happen. 

Its possible that it works, and you can then, from your PC, browse to 'tower'.

LOL  Be sure to copy your Flash to your PC before you try this! (actually, I keep a backup copy of my flash before every time I make any big change. (Like adding a new plug-in.) That way I can always and easily back out and revert to the prior flash version.

Thanks. After I posted the question I realized that the flash was listed when I connect via smb along with all hard drives. 6 right now. I waiting for some sas to sata cables to connect the other 6. I guessing from what you posted that I can go to the GUI page and set Export=NO for the individual hard drives and this will stop them being shown when I connect via smb? That way only the share I have setup and the flash will be listed?

Thanks. After I posted the question I realized that the flash was listed when I connect via smb along with all hard drives. 6 right now. I waiting for some sas to sata cables to connect the other 6. I guessing from what you posted that I can go to the GUI page and set Export=NO for the individual hard drives and this will stop them being shown when I connect via smb? That way only the share I have setup and the flash will be listed?

It might be worth setting them to Export (Hidden).  That way the shares are not shown but are available if you know about them and want to go to a specific disk for some reason.

For hidden do I just need to know the file path to access it? Example- smb://10.0.1.20/flash

For hidden do I just need to know the file path to access it? Example- smb://10.0.1.20/flash

Yes.

 

You can also set security if you want to still constrain access.

Thanks. I guess that solves accessing the flash. Just need to figure out how to run memtest headless? I understand it can't be done via telnet. I haven't seen anyway to do it with IPMI. Maybe an app? I usually like to test new memory for 8 or 10 cycles at least.

IPMI should work.

IPMI should work.

I don't see anything regarding memtest anywhere on the page. I would have thought it would be in the Maintenance section but I think I checked everything. Would I get a different set of options if the server was shutdown maybe?

IPMI should work.

I don't see anything regarding memtest anywhere on the page. I would have thought it would be in the Maintenance section but I think I checked everything. Would I get a different set of options if the server was shutdown maybe?

When you boot up the server one of the options on the unRAID menu that shows up is MEMTEST.  The menu I'm talking about are in the BLUE box that lists Memtest, unRAID and unRAID safe mode.

IPMI should work.

I don't see anything regarding memtest anywhere on the page. I would have thought it would be in the Maintenance section but I think I checked everything. Would I get a different set of options if the server was shutdown maybe?

When you boot up the server one of the options on the unRAID menu that shows up is MEMTEST.  The menu I'm talking about are in the BLUE box that lists Memtest, unRAID and unRAID safe mode.

 

This is what I see with IPMI-

 

 

Not sure what blue box you are referring to?

There should be an interactive terminal or a link to start one under one of the other tabs. The menu is available just after POST; so the system will have to be reset. Open the interactive terminal and reset the server.

There should be an interactive terminal or a link to start one under one of the other tabs. The menu is available just after POST; so the system will have to be reset. Open the interactive terminal and reset the server.

I'm not sure what you are telling me to look for? Is an interactive terminal some sort of CLI window? What should I type to do a reset. A link to start what just after which post? I'm sorry but this part I don't understand at all.

There should be an interactive terminal or a link to start one under one of the other tabs. The menu is available just after POST; so the system will have to be reset. Open the interactive terminal and reset the server.

I'm not sure what you are telling me to look for? Is an interactive terminal some sort of CLI window? What should I type to do a reset. A link to start what just after which post? I'm sorry but this part I don't understand at all.

Take a look at this

around 0:43s.  You can see the boot screen menu.  It's an old video and the boot screen menu now has a few more options but the look is the same.  Now since I don't use IPMI, I'm not sure what it would look like for you, but I'm thinking it will be similar.

IPMI should work.

I don't see anything regarding memtest anywhere on the page. I would have thought it would be in the Maintenance section but I think I checked everything. Would I get a different set of options if the server was shutdown maybe?

When you boot up the server one of the options on the unRAID menu that shows up is MEMTEST.  The menu I'm talking about are in the BLUE box that lists Memtest, unRAID and unRAID safe mode.

 

This is what I see with IPMI-

 

 

Not sure what blue box you are referring to?

I'll get a screen shot when I get home of the boot screen I'm talking about.  What version of unRAID 6 or 5 do you want to see?

There should be an interactive terminal or a link to start one under one of the other tabs. The menu is available just after POST; so the system will have to be reset. Open the interactive terminal and reset the server.

I'm not sure what you are telling me to look for? Is an interactive terminal some sort of CLI window? What should I type to do a reset. A link to start what just after which post? I'm sorry but this part I don't understand at all.

Take a look at this around 0:43s.  You can see the boot screen menu.  It's an old video and the boot screen menu now has a few more options but the look is the same.  Now since I don't use IPMI, I'm not sure what it would look like for you, but I'm thinking it will be similar.

 

Thanks for the video, but that looks like a picture of a monitor screen? I'm not sure I would be able to get that in a browser. I also don't think my system is starting up that way. It's hard to tell since it's headless.

I'll get a screen shot when I get home of the boot screen I'm talking about.  What version of unRAID 6 or 5 do you want to see?

 

Thanks. I'm using 5.0.5.

I'll get a screen shot when I get home of the boot screen I'm talking about.  What version of unRAID 6 or 5 do you want to see?

 

Thanks. I'm using 5.0.5.

OK.  Mine will be of 5.0.0 since I've never upgraded from that on my N54L.  But the boot up options are the same as yours and if I didn't tell you you wouldn't know the difference.  In the interests of full discloser.  I will boot up with IPMI client and capture the screen for you to look at.

I'll get a screen shot when I get home of the boot screen I'm talking about.  What version of unRAID 6 or 5 do you want to see?

 

Thanks. I'm using 5.0.5.

OK.  Mine will be of 5.0.0 since I've never upgraded from that on my N54L.  But the boot up options are the same as yours and if I didn't tell you you wouldn't know the difference.  In the interests of full discloser.  I will boot up with IPMI client and capture the screen for you to look at.

Thanks. And in case you couldn't tell I'm a total noob at this. So if you could include a few basic steps for how to get to that screen it will probably help.

I'll get a screen shot when I get home of the boot screen I'm talking about.  What version of unRAID 6 or 5 do you want to see?

 

Thanks. I'm using 5.0.5.

OK.  Mine will be of 5.0.0 since I've never upgraded from that on my N54L.  But the boot up options are the same as yours and if I didn't tell you you wouldn't know the difference.  In the interests of full discloser.  I will boot up with IPMI client and capture the screen for you to look at.

Thanks. And in case you couldn't tell I'm a total noob at this. So if you could include a few basic steps for how to get to that screen it will probably help.

You can also get a bigger display by choosing one of the menu items under "Remote Control" menu item.  But I can't tell you what it is because it isn't in your graphic and I DON'T remember the name.  Will get it off my X9SCM MB when I get home if someone else doesn't respond with that info for you.

There should be an interactive terminal or a link to start one under one of the other tabs. The menu is available just after POST; so the system will have to be reset. Open the interactive terminal and reset the server.

I'm not sure what you are telling me to look for? Is an interactive terminal some sort of CLI window? What should I type to do a reset. A link to start what just after which post? I'm sorry but this part I don't understand at all.

 

The screenshot you posted shows "Remote Console Preview". Find the actual Remote Console. Investigate the tabs by clicking on them. There is also a button labelled "Reset". Click this button to reset the server.