Configure GL-inet x750

legepe · 2022-01-14T22:13:24.315Z

Where do I find these packages and are they simple to remove?

wcs2228 · 2022-01-15T00:19:56.778Z

You can use the LuCI web UI, using System → Software, where you can see all the installed packages and their sizes.

I suggest doing a backup of your router settings before uninstalling anything and keeping a record of all removed packages, so you can reinstall/restore if necessary.

It is better to look for unused packages that are ~100KB or more, instead of having to uninstall many small packages.

legepe · 2022-01-15T10:58:24.709Z

Thanks for your replies wcs2228
If I go to status / overview and look at memory it tells me I have available 51MB of 120MB (42%) It also states 51% (1.7MB) as free space on Software / Packages? So I dont understand why it states on File sharing 10% (1MB)? and why it tells me I dont have enough flash space?
I have found the list of packages (297) and feel completely useless as ive read through the brief descriptions on all of them and really don’t know what I should remove! I would sooner not remove wireguard as I am not using this at the moment but reading up on it… I am considering it
Any further help would be very much appreciated!

wcs2228 · 2022-01-15T19:12:11.777Z

The LuCI Status page shows RAM memory, not the flash storage.

I do find discrepancies in free space on GL.iNet → APPLICATIONS → Plug-ins vs. LuCI → System → Software and do not know how each does the calculation. I check by logging into SSH and running “df” to show what should be the true storage, which seems close to what GL.iNet UI shows. I also ignore the % percentages because these seem to depend more on what total storage is used in the denominator.

In your case, there is not a big difference between 1MB and 1.7MB, so I would go with 1MB for practical purposes. In comparison, both my GL-MV1000W and GL-AR750S routers have lots (10’s of MB) free space.

Regarding the packages to uninstall, it comes down to a trade-off on what is more important to you to keep given the limited storage. Even if you change your mind later, you can uninstall something else and reinstall the original package.

Installed packages varies depending on the router model/hardware/purpose. Out of all the installed packages, I would not uninstall any of the gl-* packages that are part of GL.iNet, nor any of the luci-* packages that are part of LuCI. If you can post a list of 20-25 largest packages >100MB, then that may be a good start.

wcs2228 · 2022-01-15T19:22:03.817Z

Another forum poster has been able to use a larger USB stick for external storage, starting with the following post in this thread:

Failure to install File Sharing Technical Support for Routers

Yes, the QCA9531 routers only have 16MB of space. But you can insert an old USB stick and increase the space with Luci> MountPoints and make / overlay. I have 2 AR750s with old 256MB USB sticks and I can install all the plugins I want with no problem. EDIT: You can only install Luci when you update the firmware without saving anything or resetting to factory default because only 2mb free left and after Luci installed do / overlay in Luci> Mount Points and after reboot you will see that it works…

X750v2 Spitz not enough space for plugins? Technical Support for Routers

In my AR750 Creta Save backup User config Update Firmware resetting everything 3.201-402 (beta6) Install Luci just right after updating I had a 512Mb USB in it and also a 64Gb SD I made /overlay in Luci>System>Mount Points Add Select SD or USB Flash, in my case USB. /overlay Reboot. Easy after few tries. Import User Config Bye

I have not personally done this myself.

David · 2022-01-15T23:06:52.522Z

It works fine on my 2 AR750 with old 512Mb USB device.

space1289×895 53.9 KB

legepe · 2022-01-17T10:30:43.162Z

Hi and thanks again for reply
Here is a list of all packages over 100kb instatlled
Any info on what I do not require would be much appreciated

packages more than 1001651024×563 117 KB

wcs2228 · 2022-01-17T22:15:06.122Z

It seems strange that file sharing has not been installed. Do you have any “samba” and “smb” packages currently installed?

From your list of installed packages over 100Kb, there is not much that I would uninstall. The ntfs-3g package could be uninstalled if your SD card is not in NTFS format and you can use FAT32, exFAT or EXT4 format. You can try uninstalling ntfs-3g to see if that is sufficient free space to install File Sharing, but back up your settings first.

If you later want to install even more packages for features and for beefing up security, then you will likely encounter the situation again. In such case, you can consider the approach of @David. Alternatively, I suggested to another forum poster to selective move folder(s) to SD card and just create a symbolic link at the original location.

legepe · 2022-01-18T11:44:29.155Z

I put the router back to factory default, then installed file sharing from applications, then installed luci. I now have 6% (0MB) free space or showing in software 27% (925kb) the SD card is showing as recognised and is enabled, but I still cannot get it to save to it.
Any further help appreciated

wcs2228 · 2022-01-18T16:04:19.240Z

Where do you see the SD card as recognized and enabled? If it shows up in APPLICATIONS → File Sharing, then you can enable Share via LAN and Writeable, then click the Apply button.

Once the SD card has been shared, then you can connect to it from another device over your network. The procedure depends on the specific device:

docs.gl-inet.com

File Sharing - GL.iNet Docs

Documentation for GL.iNet Productions

I believe the default GL.iNet share name is GL-Samba

legepe · 2022-01-19T18:03:45.430Z

I see the SD card recognized and enabled in Software - Mount Points

Since I put the router back to factory default I now have samba36-server

I have reformatted the SD card to NTFS, enabled in File Sharing LAN and Writable and tried the obvious different settings within Software - Mount Points - Edit, but i still cannot save to card and get message saying not enough memory on file system with code 255

My objective was to get more/better security on the router/network by installing packages, but if this is not possible to secure the router this way, I need to be looking at other options rather than trying to create additional memory that may not be so relevant at the moment

wcs2228 · 2022-01-19T20:46:23.869Z

The 16MB flash in the GL-X750 is definitely limiting in terms of installing more packages.

If you still want to try to have file sharing, you could uninstalling the ntfs-3g package and formatting your SD card to FAT32. There would not be much difference between FAT32 and NTFS on this router.

legepe · 2022-01-20T17:42:02.081Z

I do use a sim card for internet connection. If I uninstall ntfs-3g package, will it not affect my internet connection?

wcs2228 · 2022-01-20T17:51:09.085Z

The ntfs-3g package enables NTFS read/write that I see in your list of installed packages over 100Kb.
The “3g” stands for “Third Generation”:

linux.die.net

ntfs-3g(8) - Linux man page

ntfs-3g is an NTFS driver, which can create, remove, rename, move files, directories, hard links, and streams; it can read and write files, including ...

alzhao · 2022-01-22T04:29:17.653Z

You should format the card to ext4 format in order to use as exroot.

You should not remove any packages in the default firmware. It is readonly. After remove you don’t have more space at all. These packages are critial. We have removed in the latest firmware.

wcs2228 · 2022-01-22T16:02:43.683Z

For basic File Sharing over the network, FAT32 format is fine.

For moving /overlay to USB stick, use EXT4 format.

wcs2228 · 2022-01-22T16:16:00.187Z

Can you confirm my understanding that /rom files cannot be removed, but there are also /usr files that take up space and can be removed?

I agree that, in general, firmware packages should not be removed. Since it seems file sharing is not installed in the stock firmware, what is the procedure for sharing files as advertised?

Share Files Across Devices

Spitz has a built-in MicroSD slot that supports maximum 128GB MicroSD card. With the extra storage, you can create a local network drive to store data and share them with your laptop and other compatible devices as long as it is connected to the Wi-Fi.

gl-inet.com – 18 Oct 18

GL-X750 / Spitz

A 4G dual-band wireless router for smart home and rural areas. Large storage compatibility with built-in maximum 128GB MicroSD card slot.

legepe · 2022-01-23T11:46:39.473Z

I’ve looked in Software and I would not know how the difference between rom and usr files but my understanding is rom cannot be removed, Im not sure Im understanding your question with that?
Reading what you have posted above (Share Files Across Devices) it is saying to me that with the SD card you can create a local network drive to store data and share them with your laptop and other compatible devices, but not saying you can use this space to install additional packages that the router would use in its operation? Is it that this SD card cannot be used for the desired purposes?

wcs2228 · 2022-01-24T15:33:11.828Z

legepe:

I’ve looked in Software and I would not know how the difference between rom and usr files but my understanding is rom cannot be removed, Im not sure Im understanding your question with that?

My understanding is that packages in the firmware stored on /rom that cannot be removed. However, many of those packages also have related files on /usr and/or other directories that are removable, especially dynamic data. I asked @alzhao for confirmation because he stated that “After remove you don’t have more space at all”.

I disagree that ALL these packages are CRITICAL for EVERYONE. Many operating system installations (e.g., Windows, Mac, Linux) include applications, utilities and software that are not used by everyone and can be considered “bloatware” (e.g., from Microsoft, PC manufacturer, Apple, McAfee, Norton). I agree that, IN GENERAL, GL-iNet firmware packages should not be removed.

legepe:

Reading what you have posted above (Share Files Across Devices) it is saying to me that with the SD card you can create a local network drive to store data and share them with your laptop and other compatible devices, but not saying you can use this space to install additional packages that the router would use in its operation? Is it that this SD card cannot be used for the desired purposes?

GL-iNet advertises that the GL-X750 supports maximum 128GB MicroSD card and you can share them with other devices, but your experience has proven otherwise, so far. Hence, I asked @alzhao for a procedure for sharing files as GL-iNet advertises. I do not think it is reasonable to expect owners to have to remove packages, nor install or move packages onto the SD card, in order to have enable file sharing.

legepe · 2022-01-24T17:10:45.525Z

Thanks for your continued support wsc2228. Ive formatted the SD card to ext4 and tried again many of the obvious settings, but it still does not work!
It would be great if there was some procedure that could be followed!!!