NanoBSD is an awesome set of scripts contained in the FreeBSD source tree that enables you to easily prepare and install a custom FreeBSD system for an embedded device. It is also highly optimized for Compact Flash media, providing a Read-Only file system and memory disks for the heavily written mount points, namely /etc and /var, to protect against wear-leveling.

I have provided a number of config files for a NanoBSD system that provides various services to get you started on an overlay of custom files that are geared towards making an AP (access point) out of an ALIX2C2 board from http://pcengines.ch (purchased at NetGate [US]), although these files require minor tweaks if you are using another ALIX board or even completely different hardware (mainly just network device names!).

For when you have a brain lapse...

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A FreeBSD port for the Eclipse AVR add-on has yet to be created and the Eclipse CDT add-on that is contained in even a recent ports tree is too outdated to use with the AVR add-on.

To fix this, I basically started with a naked Eclipse install from ports and installed the extra features manually using Eclipse's update mechanism and each add-on's respective update site.

If you are new to the ALIX board world or need a quick reference for a buy list, I have put together a quick list of parts that I often buy for home and office installs that need to utilize WiFi.

I mostly use ALIX (formerly WRAP) embedded boards that pcengines makes. They are 500Mhz, 256MB of ram, and come in a variety of hardware options.... and a basic kit can be had for less then 190$ (US)! The following will provide you with a basic config that would suit most smaller installs that need to utilize Wi-Fi (2.4Ghz in this case).

There are some cases where a remote ports tree is a good thing to have around. For example, it can save bandwidth by downloading dist files only once and using them across all clients, when you need to know that all hosts using the tree have the same version of packages (good in development environment or large network), or even when the client doesn't have enough space for ports tree, distfiles, or the compile itself (NanoBSD!)

Updating the BIOS on a Soekris board is pretty trivial compared to the method needed for an ALIX board. This is a short guide on how to get a Soekris board's BIOS updated via XMODEM transfer.