Zyxel NAS542 running with OpenWrt?

For Developers
1

Hello guys,

I am new to this forums, but I have searched it before i post this topic.

I have bought 2 years ago Zyxel NAS542. The warranty is unfortunately already off and few days ago I have found out, that Zyxel put end-of-life support to support this model and completly dropped support for any kind of nasses. And I am pretty pissed off about it on Zyxel, before I bought completly new NAS two years ago, expecting to use it for at least 5-8 years.

I wrote on Doozan forum, who reccomended me to contact OpenWRT in hope to find suitable new OS for my Zyxel NAS as the main problem are security breaches and lost of support (I would like to remind, that it is basically new device - 2 years are nothing in NASes)

But as Zyxel NAS542 doesnt have any VGA, DP, HDMI, etc. it is practically impossible for me to install debian or DSM or any other OR it common way.

So my question is, if there is any way how I can get OpenWrt into the Zyxel NAS 542?

My main goal is to keep receiving security updates, so my system would be protected. Sadly, i dont have money to buy new NAS , because of my pending divorce and when I was buying this Zyxel, I have never tought, that they will reach end-of-life support so fast. This nas is basically a new machine.

As for the OpenWrt, I have really basic skills with it, so I prefer something with webUI, to set it up, turn on and forget about it for next few years so I can keep collecting money for new NAS.

I would be really grateful for your suggestions, help or advice how to achieve this goal.

Plase don't be mad on me, I am working with all I can have now, due to personal family issues. Thank you for any of your advices.

2

Looks like it's an LS1024? EoL but you may be able to get datasheets, source code from NXP if not Zyxel.

Next question is bootloader and serial log?

edit:
Haven't been able to find a programming manual. looks like they wanted you to pay money for the software and a support contract / engineering services. But other thing to check is for upstream ls1024A support. Also check adding a new device etc.

https://techinfodepot.shoutwiki.com/wiki/ZyXEL_NAS542

Freescale (NXP) LS1024

[

QorIQ LS1024A

](https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1854125.pdf)

3

At least, it has serial access and an actual Debian is installable, see http://seafile.servator.de/nas/zyxel/images/nas5xx-debian-howto.txt (german, you may have to translate)

HTH

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4

The LS1024 was a re-labeled Mindspeed Comcerto 2000. NXP re-labeled and marketed it after the acquisition, but apparently never bothered to provide updated firmware. All kernel source I have been able to locate is at v 3.2.x so quite ancient. Someone does have an attempt to update at https://github.com/Bonstra/linux-ls1024a, but it is still missing crucial features.

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5

Official OpenWrt no but below github gives hopes for fork build .

Of course if the recent 6.1.x and 6.6.x kernel images have everything in working order under zyxel541

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6

Thats a kernel for Meson and Rockchip SBCs. What has that got to do with a NXP SoC derived from the Mindspeed Comerto?

7

I didn't actually read the code but the tags on the repo feature ls1024a, c2000, comcerto2000 and nas540.

8

OK, there is a commit from December of 2022 titled arm: Initial support for Freescale LS1024A. This was committed by Bonstra and appears to be the same or similar code to that in the GitHub repository I posted earlier.

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