WD-DX4000

Running Ubuntu or Debian on the Western Digital WD Sentinel DX4000

2022 Update - Solderless installer

• I am now in the process of building a fully solderless installer
• No tools other than USB sticks will be required
• No changes to BIOS options or other reconfigurations required
• SSH install over the network with the current IP shown on LCD

Stay tuned for a complete overhaul for this process!

https://github.com/alexhorner/WD-DX4000-Installer

2021 Update - Ubuntu and Front Panel Controls

• Ubuntu is now available
• Work has begun on providing an interface for the entire front panel of the machine, including buttons, LCD (control, contract, brightness) and LEDs. Please visit the dedicated repo for more information and for a working proof of concept: https://github.com/alexhorner/WD-DX4000-IO

This guide will go through the entire process of running Ubuntu or Debian on the WD Sentinel DX4000 from start to finish.

Prerequisites

• USB Keyboard

• USB Hub

• 1x 8GB USB flash drive (for the installer)

• 1x 8 or more GB (I use 32GB) USB flash drive (for permenant fixture as a boot drive)

• PuTTY installed (https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html)

• Rufus installed (I recommend using 2.18 for compatibility https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/releases/download/v2.18/rufus-2.18.exe)

• Debian ISO downloaded (Get the small installation image 64-bit PC netinst iso https://www.debian.org/distrib/)

  OR

  Ubuntu ISO downloaded (Get the full server installer iso https://ubuntu.com/download/server)

• USB TTL serial adapter

• Soldering iron and wires to attach your TTL serial adapter to the pads on the board

References

• Martin Meise for USB Installer setup, serial port layout etc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amUXkdGdcTg
• frant1c for UEFI stuff https://community.wd.com/t/howto-arch-linux-on-a-sentinel-dx4000-without-original-compatible-disks/204041/21

Head to Before Install to start!

Troubleshooting

My Debian/Ubuntu doesn't boot automatically, even after setting up BIOS. BIOS resets the boot order!

If this occurs for you, start into Debian/Ubuntu manually and install efibootmgr. Use efibootmgr to delete all boot entried except your Linux installation. Please make sure you check every command you run and have other bootable disks disconnected from the system.

The general command is efibootmgr -b <boot entry> -B but please check this yourself first! To list entries, just run efibootmgr alone. Don't include the asterisks * in the command.

Once complete, reboot back into BIOS and set your boot order as per your OS's install document from this guide.

Reference: https://askubuntu.com/questions/348763/removing-entries-from-uefi-menu-with-efibootmgr

Other guides

• Hard Drives
• Fan
• LCD
• Hardware

Goals

• Fan Control - COMPLETE
• LCD Writing - COMPLETE
• LCD Contrast - (IN PROGRESS! See IO repo at top of this README) Works with manual control in default Windows
• LCD Brightness - COMPLETE
• Front Panel Button Reads - (IN PROGRESS! See IO repo at top of this README) Works with manual control in default Windows
• LED Control (RAID indicators and power indicators. Red and blue individually) - (IN PROGRESS! See IO repo at top of this README) Pretty sure this is available as it is used by the default Windows software, but I couldn't work out how to control manually within default Windows

DISCLAIMER: I am not liable to any damages of any kind which are caused directly or indirectly by following this guide. You follow the provided instructions and use all provided information at your own risk, in the full knowledge that I am not required to assist you if something goes wrong (though if you ask I may try)

Contact me!

If there is an issue with this repository in any way, such as a broken link, broken instruction in the guide, missing resource or anything else, please open an issue on the repository.

If you are interested in helping, please contact me by finding the most up to date email address on my profile, preferrably with some information on what you are capable of doing and I'll see what I can give you as something I cannot do. Of course I will give credit where credit is due!