Installing packages on Midge/Sunspot or other OpenWrt systems
The Midge/Sunspot Linux distro based on OpenWrt has a large number of additional programs and utility packages available. These can be compiled using the source or downloaded from the Midge website.
However, just because a package compiles and installs, that does not mean it will run on the Midge/Sunspot or other Openwrt hardware. The package may have other dependancies the package manager is unaware of, additional settings may be required in the /etc files in order to get the package to run.
In order to get a new package running on a Midge/Sunspot Router/Appliance, it helps to to be able to install the same package in a regular linux system and compare the settings.
Below are a few useful packages and any extra steps you may need to take to get them running.
First, you need to have a login prompt from your Midge/Sunspot device. If you have the basic Kamikaze rom loaded, this is no problem, you have the serial link and a terminal program already hooked up.
If however, you have one of the current Sunspot roms and a serial port 'free of terminal chatter', you need to be able to communicate with the device via the network.
The easiest way to do this is to mount the Flash drive on a linux (or VMware emulated) computer and change the 'etc/network/interfaces' file so that the 'eth0' settings reflect your local network.
You will also need to change the nameserver line in the file /etc/resolv.conf so that it points to your nameserver (often the ip address of your broadband router or pc that shares it's web connection).
A simple test that the connection is working is to log in (via the serial cable or an ssh client such as putty), ensure that your internet connection is 'up' and type 'ping -c 2 www.google.co.uk'.
If the nameserver and router settings are correct, you should get 2 packets transmitted and received with no packets lost.
Once you have the router on your local network ( and are able to talk to the web via your internet connection ) the first package you should get is 'nano' a text editor that will allow you to edit and create config and script files. It is possible to use the 'vi' line editor (as it will be already loaded), but I find that 'nano' is much easier to use.
After logging in (user name 'root', password 'midge'), an 'ipkg update' will refresh the routers list of packages available from the Midge website. 'ipkg install nano' will install the ncurses lib files and the nano package. You then have the tools to edit the Midge system files from a terminal window.
As the Midge/Sunspot 'root file system' is a Flash Drive, once an ipkg is installed, it will remain, regardless of any re-boot. On a pure 'Midge' system with the root filesystem in rom, you need to issue a 'flash save' to store any ipkg or changes to config files - you also have a lot less room for packages!
Midge/Sunspot OpenWrt Packages
First you need to add picinternetprojects to the list of locations ipkg can install files from type 'nano /etc/ipkg.conf' and cursor down to the first 'src' line. Press RETURN to open up a blank line and then add the two lines:-
src picprojects http://www.picinternetprojects.247n.com/packages
src picprojectsSDK http://www.picinternetprojects.247n.com/packages/sdk
and press CTRL-X and answer 'Y' to save the file.
Get ipkg to re-read the file by typing 'ipkg update' You are now ready to install one of the following packages.
Samba allows you to share a folder with other computers on the network using the windows SMB system. This will allow you to drag and drop files into a folder on the Midge system without having to shut it down and plug the Flash Drive into a linux running pc.
Blassic from www.blassic.org" is a Basic Interpreter for Linux/Unix systems. It can be run from the command line or called from within a script.
eyeOS from www.eyeos.org is not an OpenWrt / Midge/Sunspot ipkg, it is a system distributed as a set of files that when unpacked in your /var/www folder will provide a web based desktop and (mini) applications. The fact that extra 'applications' can be built by adding php commands to a 'hello world' example makes eyeOS worth a look.
A PIC, Linux and a Router
Modding The Router
Modding The Router - USB/Hard Drives
Modding The Router - Software & Filesystem
New Sunspot/Midge Packages
Extra Packages for Midge/Sunspot
PIC Links