The VoCore tiny Linux computer. An intelligent Prop Plug?
Heater.
Posts: 21,230
The VoCore is a minute, about the size of a PropPlug, Linux running computer based on the same MIPS processors used in many routers.
http://vocore.io/wiki/index
http://vonger.cn/upload/vocore.manual.pdf
VoCore runs OpenWRT as used in those routers so we know we can run a Propeller programmer on there and indeed the OpenSpin compiler. So, a very intelligent Prop Plug.
With it's on board WIFI it probably makes a replacement for those ESPwhatever and other WIFI dongles used with Props and other micros.
On order now, will report progress...
http://vocore.io/wiki/index
http://vonger.cn/upload/vocore.manual.pdf
VoCore runs OpenWRT as used in those routers so we know we can run a Propeller programmer on there and indeed the OpenSpin compiler. So, a very intelligent Prop Plug.
With it's on board WIFI it probably makes a replacement for those ESPwhatever and other WIFI dongles used with Props and other micros.
On order now, will report progress...
Comments
This is a bare board and extremely tiny. I just can't get on board with a Linux system only because it is extremely tiny. I want to have a package that integrates easily and well with the world. It is nice to have a case, a power supply, and few other things -- like a USB port ready to go. With the added dock, this seems to offer up the USB port, a LAN port, the SDcard slot, and more --- buy it with the dock if you do.
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Recently, I have been stumbling through getting Chaos Calmer 15.05 loaded on my MR-3020. I previously installed the Bleeding Edge firmware version and I can't seem to get into the opgt repositories any more.... apparently because I chose not use a STABLE firmware version.
So my advice if you are going to install OpenWrt, stick with Chaos Calmer 15.05 which is the latest STABLE firmware image. There will come a day when you will find life much simpler if you have the STABLE image.
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I like Linux in a small device without all the GUI and XWindows support. It really help one grasp networking and basics.
P.S. LuCi certainly does seem to have bugs. I could never get it to do what I wanted.
I love the MR-3020 as well so let's compare a little:
VoCore pros:
1) More GPIO pins and SD card as you say.
2) Very small. A one inch square board. Much lower than an MR-3020.
3) Cheaper. Heck, it's cheaper than a Prop Plug around here!
4) Open source design. The schematic and PCB files are available. Would be dead easy integrate it into your Prop board designs. Mind you I have no plans to do that.
VoCore cons:
1) No case or power supply. It's not a self contained ready to go unit. Needs the dock board to get Ethernet/USB so the cost goes up.
2) Needs the Dock board to get Ethernet/USB/SD which makes the cost advantage less.
What does all this mean?
One would not get into a Linux machine just because it is small (Well actually, personally that is exactly what I'm doing here
1) Be a cheap, intelligent Prop Plug, just send you code over WIFI for
programming the Prop. Send Spin sources and have it compile and load that.
2) A replacement for those ESP8266 WiFi Module we have heard a lot about recently. But far more powerful, easy to use and useful that the ESP's.
3) A replacement for the XBee Wi-Fi S6B Modules. Again a lot more powerful and significantly cheaper.
4) Just a general purpose module to add to your Prop PCB designs or use on a breadboard or proto-board lash ups. Providing compute power, wireless, USB, data storage, web server etc, etc, etc Just run it from the same power supply as the Propeller.
You are right, one needs to have a Dock board for development or getting started with initially I think. I was thinking to get four VoCores, two with Docks, to play with.
I have not followed OpenWRT development recently, luckily the VoCore team supplies OpenWRT configured for it. No idea what version. So it should "just work". No doubt I'll want to try and build the latest stable OpenWRT for it as a matter of course.
What happened to LuCi? She worked fine for me configuring my MR-3020 and D-Link routers.
Item #3 - Lower cost? That all depends where you buy your MR-3020. I get them without VAT and without shipping in a Taiwan retail shop for about $20.00 USD compared to $44.99 for the VoCore with Dock. Cheaper than a PropPlug? Hard to say.
I will wait and see how long it take for you to get yours before deciding about ordering. That 10-90 days shipping seems a bit wide of the mark. Or did you actually pay the extra for DHL, UPS, or FedEx to get a 3-4 day delivery commitment?
Of course, the SDcard slot really does open it up to a huge file system. And more GPIO are good if you need them. But it does look like about $60.00 USD to get something quickly.
And the WR-703 is had more GPIO than the MR-3020, but has to be gotten via EBay from China.
The opkg software repository is really what makes the OpenWrt firmware powerful and useful. There are a lot of resources in it.
But the VoCore offers a whooping 16MB Flash that is very attractive for those that have ambitions. It seems OpenWrt VoCore usually supports on 8Mb Flash, so a recompile (arrg) is required to get the full 16Mb working. One really has some space to fill with interesting applications from OPKG or one's own creations. OPKG has Python and Forth available!!!! amongst other useful stuff.
The VoCore claims to have two USB ports compared to the MR-3020 only having one (the other is really just a +5VDC power supply input). But the actuall VoCore CPU chip claims to support only one USB... so is this the same as the MR-3020 or actually two USB ports? I dunno..
Still,
the VoCore is definitely a move up in the world from the MR-3020. I just may have to order one or more. It can be a wifi 'nerve center' on a Propeller driven robot, maybe even a Quadcopter. The developer's block has demonstated it will support a wifi video camera, go there to get some 'must know' info.
Here are the OpenWrit wiki pages. Both will work nicely as a PropPlug alternative due to Heater compiling binaries.
http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/vocore/vocore
http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tl-mr3020
I must say that the OpenWrt VoCore Wiki is a bit barebones OpenWrt... you are going to have to read carefully to get the right STABLE firmware image. Chaos Calmer 15.05 should work well (see below for link). Not too serious for those that have already done these OpenWrt loads before, but may be a bit confusing for the complete novice. ASK for help if you feel lost. either Heater or myself might make it much easier to get started.
Here is a link to the Chaos Calmer 15.05 download directory that has the VoCore images. This was rather awkward to locate. OpenWrt simply doesn't point you directly to that place. You have to figure out for yourself that it is in the /ramips/rt305x/ sub-directory.
https://downloads.openwrt.org/chaos_calmer/15.05/ramips/rt305x/
I'm just hoping I can get it to run node.js so that all my server side JavaScript works. Seems one has to build node for OpenWRT and I'm not sure how well it runs on a MIPS processor.
As far as I can tell they will sell us a tiny camera module that interfaces to one of the USB ports.
And then, maybe you can share that binary with the rest of us.
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I got back into the MR-3020 in order to try to use my Android 4.4 telephone as an input device over wifi to Forth on the Propeller. But I had forgotten where I left off. I have had to reload with a fresh firmware binary. One has to learn more to do a reinstall.
By installing the wrong binary to start out with, I have been on a bit of a study project on how to re-install a binary in OpenWrt. It took a bit of reading and thought to determine what was best.
For a re-install (if you use that 8Mb Flash configuration binary first and later desire to install teh 16Mb Flash configuration binary), it seems it has to be done via the devices serial port. Whereas, I first time install can likely be done via LAN.
If you connect to the serial port for reinstall, it is not protected by SSH or a password log-in proceedure. And you have to start the serial environment, U-Boot. U-Boot is documented in OpenWrt.
To provide a binary, you have to set up a tftpd-hpa daemon on the computer that is connected by serial link and then ask U-Boot to install the binary that you have made available for the tftp server.
I am sure you can do all that, but for first-timers in might be a bit daunting. It is much easier to avoid reinstallation of OpenWrt binaries and acquire the best one right away.
There are two VoCore binaries at OpenWrt and I am not sure which is the desired image provided by OpenWrt for the 8Mb Flash (it will work with the 16Mb hardware, but ignore 8Mb). It might be nice if you name your binary similar to how OpenWrt does, but to clarify it has 16Mb flash. One is squashfs and the other is intramfs. Something is different than what is done with the MR-3020 so stay on your toes about getting the right binary.
Actually, it appears that the VoCore has another way to do reinstalls that uses tpfboot, but over LAN. VoCore Forums may be easier to follow that OpenWrt.
http://forum.vocore.io/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=274&sid=69a3a96fdc23a560bfbfe9ff7e758837
My re-install of the firmware on the MR-3020 has taken on a life of its own. I can't seem to make the tftpd daemon work, and the alternative is to set up an http server, such as Apache (which would allow me to use wget).
Das U-Boot is an important and necessary part of OpenWrt for development on new chips. But it is not something that a new user might comprehend or appreciate.
I've received my C.H.I.P. $9 Linux System alpha boards - I'm looking at building an OpenSpin for it to see how it does as a $9 WiFi prop plug.
(I really need to find an intern to work on my projects!)
The VoCorse's look like fun....maybe a stocking stuffer for Christmas!!
It's hard to tell from the kickstarter pages I find.
http://bbs.nextthing.co/t/openwrt-on-c-h-i-p/338
It seems OpenWrt has a binary for everyone and their cousins...
C.H.I.P. sees to be lacking the goodies, like SDcard, RJ45 Lan... just USB and GPIO. maybe wifi. Again... awkwardly too tiny for me to like, even HDMI or VGA possible.
VoCore seems a bit more complete in concept.
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Arrhg... I have a mess on my hands with re-installing the MR-3020 binary. I have been lazy with keeping my networking in order.
There seem to be at least two ways available to me, and even more if you have the right binary installed from OpenWrt. One was the Das U-Boot method, the other uses 'wget' and 'mtd' to install
A. I got the tftp server working, but Das U-Boot runs past its log-in point too fast for me to enter 'tpl' which is supposed to open it and make some headway. So that seems no good, even though OpenWrt claims it works.
B. The alternate method is to use 'wget' locally, which might also work with my tftp set-up, but I have forgotten my router's password -- so I am struggling with finding the IPN for my server.
C. I tried 'wget' directly to OpenWrt's download server, but it is HTTPS and refused to work with HTTPS. So I must have a local server behind my firewall provide a copy.
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I guess I will have to reset my main wifi router and install a new password to get anywhere. Or I might have to make up a LAN crossover cable to by-pass the router.
What is driving me nuts is that I know password, but I just can remember which letters are capitals and which are lower-case.
I think I will get some rest and try a cross-over cable tomorrow.
It is a pygmy Raspberry Pi.
http://mashable.com/2015/05/07/chip-tiny-computer/#FZZugbF3BPqQ
It says it comes with Debian, so why bother with OpenWrt. It does have lots more memory, not a router configuration.
Here's a link to more than you probably want to know.
Haven't played much yet other than booting into Linux on it in a headless configuration.
But I would look at extremely tiny distributions of Linux as possible alternatives. It is unlikely that this will ever have mass storage with it.
Debian may just be unnecessarily large, and a tiny Linux optimized for speed that occupies RAM would do well in this context. Puppy Linux, Damn Small Linux, and there's another one even smaller. But you are going to have to cross-compile for that All-winner 13 from source code.
http://www.slitaz.org/en/
@Heater.
Slitaz has a Raspberry Pi version ready to go.
http://arm.slitaz.org/rpi/