Août 122013
 

I have been playing with pxe booting for a while, first starting with pxelinux, then gpxe and lately with ipxe.

I am mostly a windows user and as an IT often needs a quick (=no install) and portable (=run from USB) dhcp server including a tftp server and a http server offering me then pxe booting.
I could use tftp32 or serva but i like to make my own tools and these 2 were missing some features here and there.

So here comes a small portable dhcp server including a tftp and a http server.

This is freeware (and will always be), should be opensource and the unique here idea is to share and contribute.

-dhcp daemon supports an alternative filename based on the user-class thus enabling chainloading (gpxe->pxelinux, ipxe->script, etc), and also support settings dhcp options (which can then be used by your boot loader)
-tftp daemon supports tsize and blksize commands.
-http daemon support head, range (mandatory for ipxe sanboot options) and over 2gb iso.
-new in version 1.0.0.7 : BINL (RIS & WDS) support
-new in version 1.0.0.10 : DNS daemon

The root home of tftp and http is the folder where you main pxe loader sits.
I put all my iso files in a sub folder called images.
I put all my wim files in a sub folder called sources.
I put all my other loaders, in case I want to chain load, in next to my main loader (bootmgr, pxelinux, gpxe, grldr, etc)

In the attached screenshot, i load ipxe then chainloads a script (menu.ipxe).
In the script 3 different methods : the classic memdisk, a newer approach with sanboot and a new kid on the block wimboot.

More info about these loading methods here :
http://www.syslinux.org/wiki/index.php/MEMDISK
http://ipxe.org/cmd/sanboot
http://ipxe.org/wimboot

Side note about ipxe+sanboot+http : I am big fan.
I have always been looking for a quick and efficient boot from lan methods and this is one is great : executes as it read and faster than memdisk since no preloading of the ISO is required.
iPXE reaches 50/60 MBits/secs on my lan.

« Voila ».

Download : http://reboot.pro/files/file/303-tiny-pxe-server/

Erwan

 Posted by at 13 h 38 min
Août 122013
 

Why go for such an arduino when the Uno and Nano are available?
First because it is much smaller, then because it also uses much less power (due to the missing FTDI chip).

The pro mini can be found here for about 6 € : http://dx.com/p/178183 .
The usb dongle can be found here for about 2 € : http://dx.com/p/149859 .

Below the wiring. As mentionned, since the usb dongle does not have a reset feature, press reset on the arduino right between the compiling and uploading part in the Arduino Gui.

pro_mini_programming_alternate_bb.

In the Arduino Gui, dont forget to select the right card i.e « arduino pro or pro mini 5v / 16 mhz / atmega328).

Voila!

Erwan

 Posted by at 13 h 35 min
Fév 102013
 

I wanted to find a way to call my kids, with me sitting on ground floor and them, sitting on the top floor of the house.

2 arduino, one acting as transmitter, one acting as receiver and here we go : they would not ignore me anymore 🙂

Lets start the transmitter (schema and code) : it has a push button to send the signal and a led to indicate it is transmitting.

tx_button_bb

#include 

const int led_pin = 11;
//const int transmit_pin = 4;
//const int transmit_en_pin = 3;
const int transmit_pin = 3;
//const int transmit_en_pin = 3;
const int buttonPin=2;


void setup()
{

   pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT);        // sets the digital pin as output
  pinMode(led_pin, OUTPUT);      // sets the digital pin as output
      delay(1000);
    Serial.begin(9600);	// Debugging only
    Serial.println("setup");
  // Initialise the IO and ISR
  vw_set_tx_pin(transmit_pin);
  //vw_set_rx_pin(receive_pin);
  //vw_set_ptt_pin(transmit_en_pin);
  //vw_set_ptt_inverted(true); // Required for DR3100
  vw_set_ptt_inverted(false); 
  vw_setup(2400);	 // Bits per sec
}

byte count = 1;

void loop()
{
  int reading = digitalRead(buttonPin);
  if(reading==HIGH) {
   //
  digitalWrite(led_pin, HIGH); // Flash a light to show transmitting
 char msg[7] = {'h','e','l','l','o',' ','#'};
 //msg[5]=count;
  vw_send((uint8_t *)msg, strlen(msg)+1);
  vw_wait_tx(); // Wait until the whole message is gone
  Serial.println(count);
  count = count + 1;
  delay(500);
  digitalWrite(led_pin, LOW);
  }
}

Next comes the receiver : it has a buzzer playing a small melody and a led blinking to indicate it is receiving.

rx_bb

#include 
#include 

const int led_pin = 8;
const int receive_pin = 3; //2
const int buzzer=11;

// tableau de mémorisation des notes de la mélodie
int melody[] = { NOTE_C4, NOTE_G3,NOTE_G3, NOTE_A3, NOTE_G3,0, NOTE_B3, NOTE_C4};

// tableau de mémorisation de la durée des notes : 4 = noire, 8 = croche, etc.:
int noteDurations[] = {4, 8, 8, 4,4,4,4,4 };
  
  void play(){
    // boucle pour parcourir les notes de la mélodie
  for (int thisNote = 0; thisNote < 8; thisNote++) { // thisNote de 0 à 7 

    // pour calculer la durée de la note, on divise 1 seconde par le type de la note
    //ainsi noire = 1000 / 4 sec, croche = 1000/8 sec, etc...
    int noteDuration = 1000/noteDurations[thisNote];

    // joue la note sur la broche x pendant la durée voulue
    tone(buzzer, melody[thisNote],noteDuration);

    // pour distinguer les notes, laisser une pause entre elles
    // la durée de la note + 30% fonctionne bien :
    int pauseBetweenNotes = noteDuration * 1.30;
    delay(pauseBetweenNotes); // delai entre les notes

    // stoppe la production de son sur la broche 8 :
    noTone(buzzer);
  }
  }

void setup()
{
   pinMode(led_pin, OUTPUT);        // sets the digital pin as output
  pinMode(buzzer, OUTPUT);      // sets the digital pin as output
    delay(1000);
    Serial.begin(9600);	// Debugging only
    Serial.println("setup");

    // Initialise the IO and ISR
    //vw_set_tx_pin(transmit_pin);
    vw_set_rx_pin(receive_pin);
    //vw_set_ptt_pin(transmit_en_pin);
    //vw_set_ptt_inverted(true); // Required for DR3100
    vw_set_ptt_inverted(false); 
    vw_setup(2400);	 // Bits per sec
    vw_rx_start();       // Start the receiver PLL running
}

void loop()
{
    uint8_t buf[VW_MAX_MESSAGE_LEN];
    uint8_t buflen = VW_MAX_MESSAGE_LEN;

    if (vw_get_message(buf, &buflen)) // Non-blocking
    {
	int i;

        
	// Message with a good checksum received, print it.
	Serial.print("Got: ");
	
	for (i = 0; i < buflen; i++)
	{
	    Serial.print(buf[i], HEX);
	    Serial.print(' ');
	}
        Serial.print(' ');
        for (i = 0; i < buflen; i++)
	{
	    Serial.print(char(buf[i]));
	    Serial.print(' ');
	}
	Serial.println();
        digitalWrite(led_pin, HIGH);delay(1500);digitalWrite(led_pin, LOW);delay(1500);
        digitalWrite(led_pin, HIGH);delay(1500);digitalWrite(led_pin, LOW);delay(1500);       
        play();
    }
}

Voila !

 Posted by at 23 h 46 min
Fév 092013
 

This time lets play with Arduino and a ps2 keyboard.

For the record here comes the ps2 male connectors :

ps2_male

A quick schema :

ps2_keyboard_bb

The sketch :

#include 

#define KBD_CLK_PIN  3
#define KBD_DATA_PIN 4

PS2Keyboard keyboard;

void setup ( )
{
keyboard.begin(KBD_DATA_PIN);
  Serial.begin(9600);
  delay(1000);
}

void loop ( )
{
  if(keyboard.available()) {
    // reading the "extra" bits is optional
    byte   extra = keyboard.read_extra(); // must read extra before reading the character byte
    char c = keyboard.read();
    boolean ctrl = extra & 1;  //  is bit 0
    boolean  alt = extra & 2;  //   is bit 1
    if (ctrl) Serial.print('^');
    if (alt)  Serial.print('_');
    //if      (c==PS2_KC_UP)      Serial.print("up\n");
    //if (c==PS2_KC_DOWN)    Serial.print("down\n");
    //if (c==PS2_KC_BKSP)    Serial.print("backspace\n");
    //if (c==PS2_KC_ESC)   { Serial.print("escape and reset\n"); keyboard.reset(); }
    Serial.print(c);   //lets print last input char to our serial monitor
  }   
}

(the PS2Keyboard library : PS2Keyboard)

A picture (i used female – male proto wires so that I did not have to cut out my ps2 keyboard wire).

ps2

 Posted by at 22 h 04 min
Fév 042013
 

Last time we have seen how to use an arduino and a 16*2 lcd screen.
Now lets see to use an arduino and a tvout to a small display screen (2.5 inches) using a RCA connector.

First the wiring

tvout_bb

Then the code

#include 

TVout TV;
unsigned char x, y;

void setup ( )
{
  TV.start_render( _PAL );
}

void loop ( )
{
  TV.clear_screen ( );
  TV.print_str ( 10, 10, "Hello World!!!" );
  TV.delay ( 60 );
}

TvOut lib can be found here

And finally a picture
IMG_3544

 Posted by at 21 h 43 min
Jan 242013
 

I got my arduino for a few days now and here comes my first adventure :
use an arduino + a lcd + a RTC to display a clock.

First lets go with the wiring :

lcd_keypad_bb

Then the code :

// ds1302 library can be found here : http://www.henningkarlsen.com/electronics
//
// DS1302: RST / CE pin - Arduino Digital 12
// I/O / DAT pin - Arduino Digital 11
// SCLK pin - Arduino Digital 10
// LCD: DB7 - Arduino Digital 7
// DB6 - Arduino Digital 6
// DB5 - Arduino Digital 5
// DB4 - Arduino Digital 4
// RS - Arduino Digital 8
// E - Arduino Digital 9
// RW to ground?


//seems it is better to NOT plug VCC when setting the clock...

#include 
#include 

// Init the DS1302
//DS1302(ce, data, clock);
DS1302 rtc(12,11,10);

// Init the LCD
LiquidCrystal lcd( 8, 9, 4, 5, 6, 7 );

void set_time() {
rtc.setDOW(SUNDAY); // Set Day-of-Week to FRIDAY
rtc.setTime(19, 2, 0); // Set the time to 12:00:00 (24hr format)
rtc.setDate(13, 1, 2013); // Set the date to August 6th, 2010
}

void setup()
{
Serial.begin(9600);
// Set the clock to run-mode, and disable the write protection
rtc.halt(false);
rtc.writeProtect(false);
// Setup LCD to 16x2 characters
lcd.begin(16, 2);

// The following lines can be commented out to use the values already stored in the DS1302
//set_time();
}

void loop()
{
// Display time centered on the upper line
lcd.setCursor(4, 0);
lcd.print(rtc.getTimeStr());

// Display abbreviated Day-of-Week in the lower left corner
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(rtc.getDOWStr(FORMAT_SHORT));

// Display date in the lower right corner
lcd.setCursor(6, 1);
lcd.print(rtc.getDateStr());

Serial.print(rtc.getTimeStr());
Serial.print(" ");
Serial.print(rtc.getDOWStr(FORMAT_SHORT));
Serial.print(" ");
Serial.println(rtc.getDateStr());

// Wait one second before repeating :)
delay (1000);
}

And finally a nice picture to illustrate it :

Hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did 🙂

/Erwan

 Posted by at 21 h 52 min