ARC on ASUSTOR AS-6204T / AS-6404T NAS

[c0d3r]

I have found two old ASUSTOR NAS ( AS-6204T and AS-6404T ) and I manage to revitalized them with DSM 7.1.1. Even after Updating the ADM to the latest Version, is was still very slow compared to the DSM that runs fast and smooth.

 

First, thank you guys for your amazing work and effort to build this amazing and intuitive loader.

 

#Hardware

+ CPU: Intel Celeron J3160 1.6GHz Quad-Core / Intel Celeron J3455 1.5GHz Quad-Core

+ RAM: 16 GB ( both work with 2x 16GB DDR3L )

+ LAN: 2x Gbps

+ Bays: 4 SATA

+ HDMI: v1.4 / 2.0

+ BIOS: InsydeH20 v5.0

+ eMMC: ADATA IUM01-512MFHL flash memory USB DOM / KLM8G1GEME eMMC 8GB chip ( upgrade, backup, recovery, etc - we talk about it later )

 

#Prerequisites for installation

+ ASUSTOR AS-6204T or AS-6404T ( current testing the AS-6704T )

+ USB-Keyboard

+ USB-Stick >2GB for ARC Loader

+ HDMI-Kabel ( must be connected before start )

+ (optional) USB-Stick for backup ADM-Firmware ( >512MB - you only need the partition table and the 3 partitions to backup )

 

#Installation of DSM on Asustor ( screenshots are coming )

1. Create the USB-Stick with ARC Loader ( https://github.com/AuxXxilium/AuxXxilium/wiki )

2. Plugin the USB-Stick in the back of the NAS, together with the HDMI-cable and in the front USB only the keyboard

3. Powerup the NAS and boot into the BIOS ( in InsydeH20 BIOS with the ESC-Key you enter the BIOS )

4. In BIOS under the BOOT-Section change to USB-Stick

5. (optional) In BIOS dissable the eMMC for AS-6404T / Important: you can't do this on AS-6204T with the USB DOM

6. in BIOS save and exit the changes

7. Boot into ARC Loader and follow the instructions ( my setup for this ASUSTOR will be posted here as well )

8. Once ARC Loader is done, reboot into the ADM that was created

9. Once ADM is loaded, you can access your NAS via IP-Address in your Browser

 

#Works

+ All functionalities that come with the DSM so far OK ( 7 days up & running )

+ Docker ( I use 90% of the time everything via Docker and all runs very smooth so far )

+ RAID ( all RAID types )

+ USB ( Keyboard, Mouse, Stick, UPS

+ LEDS front panel for individual disks

+ LEDS front panel power is just on

 

#Dont work *

- Fan can only be setup in BIOS ( it can't be controlled in DSM )

- LED front panel disk is blinking even after booting into DSM ( you really dont need this )

- Buttons front panel ( you really dont need this )

* I have installed Ubuntu and build the asustor-platform-drivers; managed to shutdown the display in the front panel and disable/enable the HDD led

 

Edited July 9, 2024 by c0d3r
motive of installation for DSM

[jack78]

Nice, good job.

Is it possible to restore ADM?

[c0d3r]

Yes it is possible, I have done it as well on several models, even cross flashing is possible. Will upload a tutorial together with the dumps of the models that I have on how to:
+ backup ADM

+ restore ADM

+ recover ADM ( when you dont have any of the backups and you just deleted your flash by misstake )

[JP-PC supplies]

What model xpenology did you use? Is ssd cache working as well?

Reagards J.P

[JP-PC supplies]

On 16/08/2024 at 7:11 PM, c0d3r said:

Yes it is possible, I have done it as well on several models, even cross flashing is possible. Will upload a tutorial together with the dumps of the models that I have on how to:
+ backup ADM

+ restore ADM

+ recover ADM ( when you dont have any of the backups and you just deleted your flash by misstake )

Please if you can...