Configure GL-inet x750

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!!!

alzhao · 2022-01-25T09:54:49.084Z

wcs2228:

Hence, I asked @alzhao for a procedure for sharing files as GL-iNet advertises.

Isn’t it simple? https://docs.gl-inet.com/en/3/setup/gl-mt1300/applications/#file-sharing

alzhao · 2022-01-25T09:56:36.860Z

wcs2228:

I disagree that ALL these packages are CRITICAL for EVERYONE.

The router is differnt from a PC. Not all packages are critical but unlike a pc, which user applications are well tested by the developers, and you can remove them without problem. But for most Microsoft stuff, you cannot remove. Best way is to have a very large disk and let it go.

legepe · 2022-01-25T11:52:15.913Z

Hi alzhao
Any chance of a procedure to get the sd card to work… I already tried the ext4 format and it does not work either!

wcs2228 · 2022-01-25T14:23:13.202Z

alzhao:

Isn’t it simple? Applications - GL.iNet Docs

Did you even read the first 3 posts?

File Sharing could not be installed.

wcs2228 · 2022-01-25T14:45:56.775Z

alzhao:

The router is differnt from a PC. Not all packages are critical but unlike a pc, which user applications are well tested by the developers, and you can remove them without problem. But for most Microsoft stuff, you cannot remove. Best way is to have a very large disk and let it go.

I believe you misunderstood my statement.

For example, on my GL-MV1000W, the following applications are installed with the firmware:

AdGuardHome, Tor, Captive Portal, IGMP Snooping

Although there are owners who use some or all these features, I personally have zero interest in any of them and they are all “bloatware” to me. Hence, I disagree that ALL these packages are CRITICAL for EVERYONE.

The main difference between the router and a PC is that I am able to uninstall most bloatware from a PC, but I cannot completely bloatware from the router’s rom. I definitely uninstall bloatware whenever I set up a new PC, even if it has a 1TB drive.

I disagree that the “Best way is to have a very large disk and let it go”. Some of that bloatware runs in the background, consuming CPU/memory and slowing down the PC. Some of that bloatware has bugs and may interfere with or be incompatible with applications that you later install. Some of that bloatware may have security vulnerabilities and/or send out my data. Some of that bloatware produces annoying popup messages and/or log error/unknown messages. Bloatware takes up disk space, so full image PC backups take longer to run and requires more backup storage.

Almahadeus · 2022-01-25T23:39:27.985Z

The x750 has unfortunately proven to be the worst GL.iNet product that I have owned and tried ( even worse than the Creta which I thought was horrible) and I have had a whole lot of their routers in use but none that supports LTE. It is absolutely not fit for purpose and should not be on sale. I have just replaced it by a Teltonika and could not be happier for making this move.

David · 2022-02-06T02:00:20.775Z

Sometimes I had the same problems with my old 512Mb USB sticks that are formatted in ext4 file system but never worked with the 2 AR750 routers.

I solved it by changing the Cluster Size when formatting which you have to set to default size. I don’t remember the size now.

By the way, I use Disk Genius to format my USB sticks in ext4. I hope it helps you.