HOWTO: (Arch) Linux on a Sentinel DX4000 without original compatible disks

WD Legacy Products Sentinel Products
21

Hi,

I have a break trough regarding the way to install Linux on a DX4000. Soon I will make a full tutorial on how to access and install Linux on DX4000. (does not involve hardware setup)

For some fast information I succeed to install Centos8 via VNC.
Tomorrow I will write the tutorial and if it is necessary also some video. I will post them.

I have some more stuff to test like making sure that the device will boot for disks.

I will keep you informed.

I know I promised a full tutorial, but because I am full with my work I cant find the window to make it. Untill then I will put the major steps:

The idea behind:
Install Linux remotely.

Steps:

  1. Download centos8 dvd ( must be centos 8 full dvd, is the only one that is supporting EFI boot)
  2. Burn it as bootble using rufus to a USB.
    3 Edit EFI\BOO\grub on USB as fallow:
 set default="0"

    function load_video {
      insmod efi_gop
      insmod efi_uga
      insmod video_bochs
      insmod video_cirrus
      insmod all_video
    }

    load_video
    set gfxpayload=keep
    insmod gzio
    insmod part_gpt
    insmod ext2

    set timeout=0
    ### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

    search --no-floppy --set=root -l 'CentOS-8-1-1911-x86_64-dvd'

    ### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

    menuentry 'Install CentOS Linux 8 VNC' --class fedora --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    	linuxefi /images/pxeboot/vmlinuz inst.stage2=hd:LABEL=CENTOS-8-1- quiet inst.vnc inst.vncpassword=12345678 inst.headless
    	initrdefi /images/pxeboot/initrd.img
    }

    menuentry 'Install CentOS Linux 8' --class fedora --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    	linuxefi /images/pxeboot/vmlinuz inst.stage2=hd:LABEL=CENTOS-8-1- quiet
    	initrdefi /images/pxeboot/initrd.img
    }

    menuentry 'Test this media & install CentOS Linux 8' --class fedora --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    	linuxefi /images/pxeboot/vmlinuz inst.stage2=hd:LABEL=CENTOS-8-1- rd.live.check quiet
    	initrdefi /images/pxeboot/initrd.img
    }

    submenu 'Troubleshooting -->' {
    	menuentry 'Install CentOS Linux 8 in basic graphics mode' --class fedora --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    		linuxefi /images/pxeboot/vmlinuz inst.stage2=hd:LABEL=CENTOS-8-1- nomodeset quiet
    		initrdefi /images/pxeboot/initrd.img
    	}
    	menuentry 'Rescue a CentOS Linux system' --class fedora --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    		linuxefi /images/pxeboot/vmlinuz inst.stage2=hd:LABEL=CENTOS-8-1- rescue quiet
    		initrdefi /images/pxeboot/initrd.img
    	}
    }
  1. Download VNC https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/windows/
  2. Boot DX4000 from USB by following the standard procedure.
  3. Figure out what IP has your wdx4000. You can look over your DHCP router or u can use an NMAP
  4. Connect to dx4000 via VNC on port 1 example :192.168.1.50:1
  5. Fallow the instalation steps.

After the instalation is done you have to edit again EFI/BOO/grub to be able to boot from disk. Append to menu entry as first entry from the menu boot

menuentry "Local Disk" {
        insmod chain
        search --set=root --file /EFI/centos/grubx64.efi
        chainloader /EFI/centos/grubx64.efi
}
  1. Boot dx4000 from USB. Because of the Local Disk entry this will be instructed to boot from local disk.