ARM boards project, need help updating/maintaining them... :/

Message boards : Android : ARM boards project, need help updating/maintaining them... :/
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ProDigit

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Message 97187 - Posted: 30 Mar 2020, 14:12:41 UTC
Last modified: 30 Mar 2020, 14:15:48 UTC

Today I wanted to update my thread on the AMLogic boards (ARM server), but it seems like it was archived.
I had much joy combining all those boards, and loading them up, but the demand for attention, the overhead it caused to keep maintaining it, just made me cancel the project.

I have the hardware available, and was wondering if anyone out there, had an easy to follow manual, that could possibly automate the project?

My main issues with the multiple boards (probably the same with Raspberry Pi servers), were:
1- The boards occasionally crash, and need rebooting
2- The boards fail to connect either to wifi or Ethernet (Ethernet down, or network traffic collision causing the board to think there's no internet and stall; there are about 25-50 boards per Ethernet hub).
I could have gone for a managed hub, vs an unmanaged hub, but the hardware cost was a few hundred dollars more, and the power consumption was a few tens of watts more. But generally speaking an unmanaged hub works fine for 25 boards, that only occasionally access the internet.
3- The boards use lots of USB and HDMI connectors, with an elaborate network of USB and HDMI switchers. To access a board, one needs to know what setting the USB hub and switcher need, before one can access them. The larger the project, the more insane those switcher boxes become!
So I need something that can access the boards remotely from Ethernet, to simplify the build and operation.
To do that, I'd have to find untested Linux ROM images, that potentially could work or break the boards, and then install them on each board; which is easily many weeks to months of work; as Android doesn't offer any 'VNC server'-type of program.

which brings me to 4 and 5:
- Android doesn't offer VNC server
- I need to find software Finding the Linux ROMS, and allows for a VNC server setup
- I want to simplify the switcher box situation, and cabling, while keeping an unmanaged Ethernet hub as primary access point to each unit.

Sadly I don't have the time to invest in both the research, nor running of this project.
I wished I could share the project with someone doing a similar project; and find a way to automate resetting boards, or their internet connection when stalled.

If I can't find anyone, the hardware would remain unused (which is a waste)
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Profile Jord
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Message 97194 - Posted: 30 Mar 2020, 15:18:01 UTC - in response to Message 97187.  

Today I wanted to update my thread on the AMLogic boards (ARM server), but it seems like it was archived.
So then you click on the little red X at the bottom of the first post of that thread and you do a report to the moderators, asking in a friendly manner if we can unlock the thread, which we can do. And even post to to make sure it gets to the top and stays open, as else the 90 day thread closure service will close it again within the hour. But ask and we can serve.
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robsmith
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Message 97200 - Posted: 30 Mar 2020, 16:53:21 UTC - in response to Message 97187.  

Since these boards are "aimed" at Linux not Android I'm not overly surprised that you have struggled getting things working. Sometimes one has to think before jumping in and buying a whole pile of equipment. Also Android is not exactly cut-out to be a server operating system, but for use on "low-power single user" devices, again leading to your problems in finding a working version of VLC-server (or indeed any similar product).

When ARM devices are used in things like routers they tend to be using purpose-cut versions of Linux, and they work very well when used in those environments. Servers based on ARM chips use Linux for that very reason - it is designed to be a multi-user operating system from the ground up, not have something bolted on top of what is essentially a single user system and hope it will work.
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ProDigit

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Message 98659 - Posted: 19 May 2020, 18:48:49 UTC

It does run very stable though, Android.
I wished I had the time to play around with Linux on these boards!
I've seen some guys online finding roms for similar boards, but I just fear messing it up.
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Message boards : Android : ARM boards project, need help updating/maintaining them... :/

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