I just received a new Dreamplug today

[gweiler]

I just received a new Dreamplug today and it doesn't match the DreamPlug user guide.

root@ubuntu:/proc# cat cpuinfo
Processor       : Feroceon 88FR131 rev 1 (v5l)
BogoMIPS        : 396.49
Features        : swp half thumb fastmult edsp
CPU implementer : 0x56
CPU architecture: 5TE
CPU variant     : 0x2
CPU part        : 0x131
CPU revision    : 1

root@ubuntu:/proc# uname -a
Linux ubuntu 2.6.33.6 #1 PREEMPT Tue Feb 8 03:18:41 EST 2011 armv5tel GNU/Linux

root@ubuntu:/proc# cat version
Linux version 2.6.33.6 (root@localhost.localdomain) (gcc version 4.2.1) #1 PREEMPT Tue Feb 8 03:18:41 EST 2011


root@ubuntu:/etc# cat debian_version
5.0


U-Boot 2011.06-02334-g8f495d9-dirty (Mar 01 2011 - 06:57:05)
Marvell-DreamPlug

SoC:   Kirkwood 88F6281_A0
DRAM:  512 MiB
SF: Detected MX25L1606 with page size 256, total 1 MiB
In:    serial
Out:   serial
Err:   serial
Net:   egiga0, egiga1
88E1121 Initialized on egiga0
88E1121 Initialized on egiga1
Hit any key to stop autoboot:  0
Marvell>> ?
?       - alias for 'help'
base    - print or set address offset
bdinfo  - print Board Info structure
boot    - boot default, i.e., run 'bootcmd'
bootd   - boot default, i.e., run 'bootcmd'
bootm   - boot application image from memory
bootp   - boot image via network using BOOTP/TFTP protocol
cmp     - memory compare
coninfo - print console devices and information
cp      - memory copy
crc32   - checksum calculation
date    - get/set/reset date & time
dhcp    - boot image via network using DHCP/TFTP protocol
echo    - echo args to console
editenv - edit environment variable
fatinfo - print information about filesystem
fatload - load binary file from a dos filesystem
fatls   - list files in a directory (default /)
go      - start application at address 'addr'
help    - print command description/usage
iminfo  - print header information for application image
imxtract- extract a part of a multi-image
itest   - return true/false on integer compare
loadb   - load binary file over serial line (kermit mode)
loads   - load S-Record file over serial line
loady   - load binary file over serial line (ymodem mode)
loop    - infinite loop on address range
md      - memory display
mii     - MII utility commands
mm      - memory modify (auto-incrementing address)
mtest   - simple RAM read/write test
mw      - memory write (fill)
nfs     - boot image via network using NFS protocol
nm      - memory modify (constant address)
ping    - send ICMP ECHO_REQUEST to network host
printenv- print environment variables
rarpboot- boot image via network using RARP/TFTP protocol
reset   - Perform RESET of the CPU
run     - run commands in an environment variable
saveenv - save environment variables to persistent storage
setenv  - set environment variables
sf      - SPI flash sub-system
sleep   - delay execution for some time
source  - run script from memory
tftpboot- boot image via network using TFTP protocol
usb     - USB sub-system
usbboot - boot from USB device
version - print monitor version


Marvell>> printenv
bootcmd=setenv ethact egiga0; ${x_bootcmd_ethernet}; setenv ethact egiga1; ${x_bootcmd_ethernet}; ${x_bootcmd_usb}; ${x_bootc;
bootdelay=3
baudrate=115200
x_bootcmd_ethernet=ping 192.168.2.1
x_bootcmd_usb=usb start
x_bootcmd_kernel=fatload usb 0 0x6400000 uImage
x_bootargs=console=ttyS0,115200
x_bootargs_root=root=/dev/sda2 rootdelay=10
ethact=egiga0
eth1addr=XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
ethaddr=XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
stdin=serial
stdout=serial
stderr=serial

Environment size: 524/4092 bytes

Well, there you have it.

If someone wants me to print out anything more, I'd be happy to.

One other observation and that is that this system feels really doggy.  Like the 396 BogoMips is a realistic number.  My GplugD shows 796 BogoMips and feels slower than my GuruPlug that shows 1196 BogoMips.  If anyone has any ideas about what it all means I'd love to hear about it.

I'd also like to get this over on Debian so if anyone has any experience doing that perhaps you could point me in the right direction.  Every other Plug I have came with Debian.

Ubuntu 9.04 is not what I want to be running.

Thanks!

[bwooster0]

My Dreamplug came with U-Boot 2010.06 and Debian 5.0.3

[purple mink]

My Dreamplug came with U-Boot 2010.06 and Debian 5.0.3

I can't even get one in Canada. I guess Globalscale changed their minds on who/where to ship to because I've been after them since February on this.........oh well, there's always the competition!

[gweiler]

bwooster0 -

Is yours showing the bogomips as 396.49?  I mean this thing looks seriously slow next to both my Guruplug and my GplugD.  Text scrolls down the screen very slowly and I don't have anything running on it.  All I've done is let it boot up.  I've noticed some other weird things too.  It doesn't recognize anything plugged into either ethernet port unless you boot up with the ethernet cable in place, then it gets a valid address from the server but you can only ping other devices on the local network but nothing out on the internet (you cannot apt-get anything).   You know, I have things that I want to do with these plugs but troubleshooting the U-Boot, the Kernel and the root_fs is not on that list.  I wouldn't even mind it if it was just figuring the stuff out once but it's every single device and update I get.  I'd like to put these things in a product I'm working on, but so far,  3 out of every 4 weeks of effort is going into figuring out what GS has done this time.  I can't even count on getting the same device with the same firmware/OS every time I order one.  Once I get a single system working completely correctly, my intent is to get several hundred at a time.  Hopefully, if I order an entire run, most will be the same! or similar.   

Do you have any idea what version of U-Boot, kernel and file system is up on the Plugcomputer downloads page?  Since it's dated Mar 4, 2011, I'm assuming it's not the same as my March 11 build.

Also, I see where one of the NewIT guys says he's got the Dreamplug booting from the external SD slot.  I'd be ok with that too.  Right now, my GplugD does that, although, there is an issue where it will not reboot correctly unless I remove the SD card with the power off.  That's a major pain in the butt too.  GS and Marvell are looking into that right now.  They think I have a defective device.  They issued me an RMA and we'll wait and see.

As far as the competition, the single driving factor for me is the physical dimension.  Even the Dreamplug form factor is starting to push the limits.  I plan to use these devices in a form of telemetry application that needs to fit in a small diameter pipe.  The GplugD fits ok into a 4" pipe and the Dreamplug can fit into a 6" pipe.  All the other devices I'm aware of are larger and wouldn't work for me (Except perhaps a Gumstix and they're too expensive and a little slow, last time I looked).

As they say, you get what you pay for.

[bwooster0]

I read a FAQ about Bogomips at <http://tldp.org/HOWTO/BogoMips/bogo-faq.html>

It seems to say that Bogomips should not be used as a benchmark. I'll try to look at my Dreamplug and see what its Bogomips value is.

[Blüto]

NO commonly-used benchmark should be relied upon as a benchmark. However, there should be a way to compare apples-to apples in  meaningful way.

It occurs to me that underclocking would be a relatively easy way to limit the speed (and therefore the heat output) of these devices, have you asked Marvell or GST whether the SOC is underclocked?

This guy used the old nbench benchmark program and got interesting results, you might could repeat his experiment on your plug(s) for comparison.

And MySQL has a benchmark suite, which he also uses.

Try one or both of these and let us know your results!

[gweiler]

I realize that the bogo in bogomips stands for bogus, however, comparing apples to apples one would expect the same processor running at the same speed on essentially the same platform (Guruplug vs Dreamplug) to produce similar numbers.  For instance, if you look at the listing provided by Bw00ster0 on his Dreamplug running Debian his bogomips number is 1192 whereas mine is 396.49.  I have a Guruplug which reports 1192 bogomips, a GplugD which reports 796 and this Dreamplug which reports 396.  Funny how the 1192 is similar to what you might expect of a processor running 1.2 GHz.  The 796 is sort of consistant with the 800 MHz of the GplugD and the 396.49 is consistant with how slowly the text scrolls down the screen when I list a large directory tree.  If I had to guess, I'd say there is something screwed up in a U-Boot setting a bad divide ratio or something.  It really does look like the device is being grossly underclocked.  It doesn't run particularly cool though.  I mean, it's not hot or anything but it'a about as warm as my GplugD.

Really, I'm more concerned with things like it doesn't recognize a cable connected to either ethernet port unless I boot the device with the cable connected.  Once a cable is connected into an ethernet port and ifconfig shows an IP address associated, unplugging the cable will never cause ifconfig show the cable disconnected  regardless of how long you wait.

I'd love to replace U-Boot, the kernel and root_fs to something that works.  I see a couple of people say that they have 1.6.38 and Debian running on their Dreamplug.  I'm not a Linux guy by nature so I need someone to give me a nudge in the right direction.

For instance can someone tell me if I replace the kernel with one from the Sheevaplug repository can I use a root_fs from the Guruplug?  I mean, the Dreamplug really does look just like a repackaged Guruplug +.

As usual, any help is appreciated.

 

[pingtoo]

You can use any kernel that is compile support guruplug. the archnumber used in u-boot is target to guruplug machine type. I think without replace the rootfs you need kernel and modules. so as long as you can get module files then dump them in to /lib/modules/`uname r-`/ you are good to go.

Good luck

[gweiler]

Mystery solved! 

i just spoke with Nancy over at GTI.  She says there were a few units accidentally shipped with Ubuntu 9.04 and some of those units were running at 400 MHz.  New units are shipping with 1.2 GHz and Debian.  I was just one of the lucky people to get a slow beast with a doggy OS.  New one on it's way to me.  Thanks for the help guys!

[pingtoo]

Hey, I am in same boat as you are!  I am going to get GST to change mine too.

Thank you very much for dig in to find out what is going on.

[dmb]

I just received a new Dreamplug today and it doesn't match the DreamPlug user guide.

root@ubuntu:/proc# cat cpuinfo
Processor       : Feroceon 88FR131 rev 1 (v5l)
BogoMIPS        : 396.49
Features        : swp half thumb fastmult edsp
CPU implementer : 0x56
CPU architecture: 5TE
CPU variant     : 0x2
CPU part        : 0x131
CPU revision    : 1

root@ubuntu:/proc# uname -a
Linux ubuntu 2.6.33.6 #1 PREEMPT Tue Feb 8 03:18:41 EST 2011 armv5tel GNU/Linux

root@ubuntu:/proc# cat version
Linux version 2.6.33.6 (root@localhost.localdomain) (gcc version 4.2.1) #1 PREEMPT Tue Feb 8 03:18:41 EST 2011


root@ubuntu:/etc# cat debian_version
5.0


U-Boot 2011.06-02334-g8f495d9-dirty (Mar 01 2011 - 06:57:05)
Marvell-DreamPlug

SoC:   Kirkwood 88F6281_A0
DRAM:  512 MiB
SF: Detected MX25L1606 with page size 256, total 1 MiB
In:    serial
Out:   serial
Err:   serial
Net:   egiga0, egiga1
88E1121 Initialized on egiga0
88E1121 Initialized on egiga1
Hit any key to stop autoboot:  0
Marvell>> ?
?       - alias for 'help'
base    - print or set address offset
bdinfo  - print Board Info structure
boot    - boot default, i.e., run 'bootcmd'
bootd   - boot default, i.e., run 'bootcmd'
bootm   - boot application image from memory
bootp   - boot image via network using BOOTP/TFTP protocol
cmp     - memory compare
coninfo - print console devices and information
cp      - memory copy
crc32   - checksum calculation
date    - get/set/reset date & time
dhcp    - boot image via network using DHCP/TFTP protocol
echo    - echo args to console
editenv - edit environment variable
fatinfo - print information about filesystem
fatload - load binary file from a dos filesystem
fatls   - list files in a directory (default /)
go      - start application at address 'addr'
help    - print command description/usage
iminfo  - print header information for application image
imxtract- extract a part of a multi-image
itest   - return true/false on integer compare
loadb   - load binary file over serial line (kermit mode)
loads   - load S-Record file over serial line
loady   - load binary file over serial line (ymodem mode)
loop    - infinite loop on address range
md      - memory display
mii     - MII utility commands
mm      - memory modify (auto-incrementing address)
mtest   - simple RAM read/write test
mw      - memory write (fill)
nfs     - boot image via network using NFS protocol
nm      - memory modify (constant address)
ping    - send ICMP ECHO_REQUEST to network host
printenv- print environment variables
rarpboot- boot image via network using RARP/TFTP protocol
reset   - Perform RESET of the CPU
run     - run commands in an environment variable
saveenv - save environment variables to persistent storage
setenv  - set environment variables
sf      - SPI flash sub-system
sleep   - delay execution for some time
source  - run script from memory
tftpboot- boot image via network using TFTP protocol
usb     - USB sub-system
usbboot - boot from USB device
version - print monitor version


Marvell>> printenv
bootcmd=setenv ethact egiga0; ${x_bootcmd_ethernet}; setenv ethact egiga1; ${x_bootcmd_ethernet}; ${x_bootcmd_usb}; ${x_bootc;
bootdelay=3
baudrate=115200
x_bootcmd_ethernet=ping 192.168.2.1
x_bootcmd_usb=usb start
x_bootcmd_kernel=fatload usb 0 0x6400000 uImage
x_bootargs=console=ttyS0,115200
x_bootargs_root=root=/dev/sda2 rootdelay=10
ethact=egiga0
eth1addr=XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
ethaddr=XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
stdin=serial
stdout=serial
stderr=serial

Environment size: 524/4092 bytes

Well, there you have it.

If someone wants me to print out anything more, I'd be happy to.

One other observation and that is that this system feels really doggy.  Like the 396 BogoMips is a realistic number.  My GplugD shows 796 BogoMips and feels slower than my GuruPlug that shows 1196 BogoMips.  If anyone has any ideas about what it all means I'd love to hear about it.

I'd also like to get this over on Debian so if anyone has any experience doing that perhaps you could point me in the right direction.  Every other Plug I have came with Debian.

Ubuntu 9.04 is not what I want to be running.

Thanks!

Same exact issue for me, I have ubuntu, and same MIPS.  Did they have you file an RMA, or did they just send you a new one, because they are making me file an RMA (but are paying for a shipping label).

[bwooster0]

I am also having the issue with the unit not recognizing the that an ethernet cable has been attached after boot up. The ethernet connection only seems to be recognized if it is attached before boot up.

[Magus]

I also called GST and they said Ubuntu 9.04 comes standard. They said a link on their web-site for a Debian Distribution will be provided shortly so we can flash it ourselves.

[sigterm9]

same boat as all of you.  waited so long for it only to feel cheated a little bit by the end result.
guess I'll be joining in on the RMA.

good luck to all.

Hey, I am in same boat as you are!  I am going to get GST to change mine too.

Thank you very much for dig in to find out what is going on.

[bonkabonka]

I got my repaired Dreamplug back late last week - the BogoMIPS now seem more correct at 1192.75 but it's still got the bizarre load of Ubuntu 9.04 on it.  I don't particularly desire Debian over Ubuntu, but 9.04 is rather elderly (and not an LTS release) and I've not been able to successfully debootstrap a newer version because of what appear to be ABI or kernel issues.