AVR-EVTD(8) | System Manager's Manual | AVR-EVTD(8) |
avr-evtd - Linkstation AVR Event daemon
avr-evtd [ -d /dev/tty ] [i | c | v]
avr-evtd is a simple and small user space interface to the Linkstation AVR micro-controller. It doesn't have a lot of special features, but it's main task is to provide 'keep-alive' messages to the Linkstation's on-board AVR device. This device controls/monitors the fan, various LEDs, timed power up and two buttons. This daemon provides the necessary initialization to the device and also stimulates the LEDs depending on various fault conditions. It also monitors a power button (located at the front) and a reset button (located at the rear).
avr-evtd searches for a configuration file located within /etc/melco at start-up time. If this file does not exist, then avr-evtd reverts to reading the file located at /etc/default/avr-evtd. Additionally, avr-evtd may, if requested, periodically check the root (Under user control and could be /dev/hda1) partition and the user working partition (For example, /dev/hda3) to ensure they are mounted. Also, if requested, it will determine if sufficient space remains and if not then the AVR is requested to illuminate the DISK LED. This periodic checking also takes place on the configuration files. If they are deemed to have been updated, then the daemon will respond accordingly.
Any failures are normally routed through the log files. With timed shutdown/power up, a warning will be broadcast to all users (console message) when within 5 or less minutes of power off. Also, fan failure alerts will be broadcast in this fashion. Failure to determine mounted working partition will result in the DIAG LED flashing three times, repeatedly.
A new feature of this daemon is the ability to code events for single or groups of days. This allows the user to add any number of power-on/off events as required. This also has the added benefit of being able to shut down the device for longer periods. The internal AVR timer has a 12-bit resolution timer which can power up the Linkstation from a maximum of a sixty eight hour sleep: from time of invocation. The AVR is updated again at time of power down/shutdown to re-validate the timer, in case of time updates (either by user or NTP). This will also preserve the 68 hour sleep resolution.
The avr-evtd configuration file is the fallback file in the event that the stock melco files do not exist. The file is read at initial start-up in order to determine if timed shutdown is required and if the disk usage is to be monitored. The file should be always located within the /etc/default directory and a sample file is provided. The file format is similar to other Unix configuration files - comments begin with a # character and extend to the end of the line; blank lines are ignored. Configuration commands consist of an initial keyword followed by an argument. Arguments may be strings or times written in HH:MM (UTC) format. Optional arguments are delimited by [ ] in the following descriptions, while alternatives are separated by |.
This is reserved for admin only. Allows logging of certain information. A log file will be maintained in /etc/avr-evtd logging events and when run from command line, the process will log data to the console.
The timer command informs the daemon if it has to provide time controlled shutdown and power up. If TIMER is set to NO then this function is not available and the commands SHUTDOWN and POWERON are ignored and have no effect. The same applies if any day events are specified and the TIMER is set to NO then these events will also be ignored.
This informs the AVR which UART to use when communicating with the AVR. The communication path between the micro-controller and this daemon is via a serial link. This keyword is not for general use and is provided to allow advanced users the option of overriding automatic configuration. This would normally be set to /dev/ttyS1 but on some systems it is /dev/ttyS0. The selection of the correct port is performed by the daemon start script and is not normally required to be altered.
This defines events for either a single day or group of days, '-' separator. Any number of ON and OFF events can be specified and can be extended over additional lines. <day> can be any number of days of the week specified as either SUN, MON, TUE, WED, THR, FRI, and SAT. For example:
Five minutes before power off is required, a message is broadcast to all console users. At shutdown, an event message is sent to the event script. See below for more details.
This specifies the time that the Linkstation will be powered down. This time MUST be specified in UTC and must follow the format HH:MM. If the user alters this configuration file whilst the daemon is running, then the change will be seen and the new settings will be implemented. If the new time entered is passed the current time, then the shutdown time will be for the following day. If single or multiple day events are specified, then this becomes the default power down time for any undefined days.
This specifies the time that the Linkstation will be automatically powered up; as long as now unexpected power outage occurs. Again, if this time is less than the SHUTDOWN time then it is for the following day. Both the TIMER set to ON and the SHUTDOWN and the POWERON times are valid will timed shutdown/power up be enabled. This will be reported in the message log along with any errors in the configuration file.
If this is set to OFF or 0 (zero) then disk usage/monitoring is disabled. Set to a value between 0 and 100% to monitor disk usage. If disk usage is above this specified value, then the DISK LED will be illuminated. At the same time, a disk full event message will be sent to the event script.
No default. This allows the root partition to be defined by the user. No syntax checking is performed on this entry or validation of the partition ID.
No default. This allows the working partition to be defined by the user. Again, no syntax checking is performed on this entry or validation of the partition ID.
This defaults to 40. This provides control over the rate (in seconds) that the daemon checks the system for changes and refreshes the AVR. Any number between 1 and 300 can be entered. Anything less than the default will result in higher impact on the system: more CPU usage. Higher times will result with slower response to configuration file changes but this may not be an issue with most users.
This defaults to 3. This provides control over the time (in seconds) that the user needs to hold either the reset of the power button in for a reset event (reset button) or power off event (power button).
Default if off. This provides the user control over the disk full event. The default is that once detected, just a single event is triggered. If required, setting this to on will generate repeated events, at the frequency of REFRESH until the disk is no longer deemed full.
Default is 30 seconds. This is the time, from report of fan failure in which the daemon will generate a fan failure event call to the event script. This allows the user to act accordingly. At present, the script is setup to power down. This can be changed to an e-mail event prior to shutdown if required.
Otherwise, if a user has decided to remove the fan then this can be set to OFF to prevent shutdown from occuring. It must be stressed that alternative cooling must be sourced if this option is selected.
All events, whether mechanical button operation, or software reset/shutdown actions are routed through an event script located at /etc/avr-evtd/EventSCript
If the power button is pressed during the five minute timed shutdown warning, then the shutdown time is increased by five minutes. Multiple presses will keep increasing the time by five minutes (to a maximum pause of fifty minutes). This provides the user with the ability to carry on working before timed shutdown is finally activated; careful here as repeated presses maybe seen as a reboot request.
The event system has been modified such that 99% of the daemon event system is pushed through the event script. A third parameter is supplied by the daemon out to the script detailing information relevant to the generated message. For example, for a disk full message, the third parameter would detail the percentage disk space used (worst of the two monitored partitions) and when this is cleared, then this parameter would be cleared to zero.
The following error messages maybe displayed in the log files during operation:
Bob Perry <lb-source@users.sourceforge.net> (2006), with some modifications by Rogério Brito <rbrito@users.sourceforge.net> (2008, 2009).
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
28 Aug 2009 |