Now, we convert the raw PCB file to EAGLE. I guess this should help a lot of people who are using EAGLE 🙂

Source could download here: http://vonger.cn/misc/vocore2/source.zip, in the zip file name is vocore-eagle.pcb.

It is very simple to make SD card or a hard disk into Network Attached Storage.

Here is mine: I use it as a tiny git server to storage code, save some money to rent the private cloud on github 🙂

1. insert your microsd card(or USB disk) to VoCore2

once you insert the card or disk, you will find it mounted in /mnt.

mmcblk0p2 is for the SD card, sda2 is for USB disk.

2. setup ap+sta: read this blog http://vonger.cn/?p=2691
Or read the tutorial on vocore.io/v2u.html(do not forget setup /etc/config/firewall). If you do not use wireless connect to your local network, ignore this step.

3. enable samba on VoCore2(latest firmware already have samba, please download at http://vonger.cn/misc/vocore2/ultimate.20161114.bin

Or call “opkg update; opkg install luci-app-samba”

Fill the path and any name you want, enable guest will allow everybody in your network view the share folder, be careful.
Note: do not forget click “Save & Apply”.

4. Now you can find your NAS every where 🙂

On Mac or PC:

note1: you might need to setup your VoCore2 local ip. mine is 192.168.1.113.
uci set samba.@samba[0].interface=’127.0.0.1/8 lo 192.168.1.113/24 br-lan’
uci commit samba
/etc/init.d/samba restart

note2: you might need to setup your VoCore2 firewall.

On Phone:

It is not same as VoCore v1.

Just run this script every time you start VoCore2, you will able to make it into AP + STA mode.

If you do not run this script, it will go to AP mode.


uci set wireless.sta.ssid=[HOME AP SSID]
uci set wireless.sta.key=[AP PASSWORD]
uci set wireless.sta.network=wwan
uci set wireless.sta.disabled=0
uci commit
/etc/init.d/network restart
sleep 10
uci set wireless.sta.disabled=1
uci commit


This is not the best solution.
So I just remember one day Vernon Van Steenkist send me one script for VoCore.


#!/bin/sh
#
# Fix loss of AP when STA (Client) mode fails by reverting to default
# AP only configuration. Default AP configuration is assumed to be in
# /etc/config/wireless.ap-only
#

TIMEOUT=30
SLEEP=3

sta_err=0

while [ $(iwinfo | grep -c “ESSID: unknown”) -ge 1 ]; do
let sta_err=$sta_err+1
if [ $((sta_err * SLEEP)) -ge $TIMEOUT ]; then
cp /etc/config/wireless.ap-only /etc/config/wireless
wifi up
# uncomment the following lines to try AP+STA after reboot
# sleep 3
# cp /etc/config/wireless.ap+sta /etc/config/wireless
break
fi

sleep $SLEEP

done

This code is clever, using iwinfo to check if the STA is in normal state.
If after 30 seconds we still can not get into STA mode, we back to AP mode.
This works for VoCore.

For VoCore2, it is slightly different. If we failed to connect to STA, it will not block AP mode.

We can do this to setup your home AP one time:


uci set wireless.sta.ssid=[HOME AP SSID]
uci set wireless.sta.key=[AP PASSWORD]
uci set wireless.sta.network=wwan
uci set wireless.sta.disabled=1
uci commit


then put the following code into /etc/rc.local(run at every startup)


uci set wireless.sta.disabled=0
uci commit
/etc/init.d/network restart
sleep 10
uci set wireless.sta.disabled=1
uci commit


After this, your VoCore2 is able to connect/disconnect STA automatically. Even carry VoCore2 to another position without your home ap, it will still working.

PS: really busy recently :”)

Why is it on indiegogo, is it already a production or just a prototype?

I really do not know indiegogo just have 10% success rate 🙂 Many people do not trust it. ( I have contributed to 2 projects and all failed too. T-T ) We put this on indiegogo just want more people know it, we think it is a good way to spread the news.

VoCore is different than others, it finish its beta, first batch then start crowdfunding. We have send the first batch(sample) to our distributors and some media.  And now it is already in mass production, all features works well.

All videos and photos are from real VoCore2 sample, we do not have anybody good at or have time on PhotoShop or other “magic” tools 🙂

How about current production process?

I have to say the yield rate is not high enough. We meet many troubles, but I think we are able to send out every package on time. 🙂 Do not worry, just wait for our good news.

The Ultimate version shell are not ready yet, left a lot of work to do. Hope the factory could make this done in time. If any parts delayed, we will have to wait. 🙁

Note: a very early/ugly shell from factory. 🙂

1. In the feature list there is a PCIe 1.1, is that real? How to connect to it?

Ye, there is. For VoCore2 standard version there is a hidden interface PCIe1.1. MTK design it for connect to WiFi 5G chips. But for us, we can use it for many interesting projects.

It has eight pins, CLK+, CLK-, RX+, RX-, TX+, TX-, RST, GND.

PS: This is a professional high-speed interface , can not export like other interface, I did not have plan for it yet, so I hide it. OpenWrt do not have driver support it yet, but MTK SDK has its driver source code.

It is at right-top corner of VoCore2.

2. Is it able to power by Li-Battery?

This is a hard question. Our power(5.0VI) support from 3.6V to 6.0V input. Battery output is about 3.7V~4.2V, so the answer is yes. Suggest to use a power bank for stable current.

From indiegogo campaign begin, I received a lot of emails, some people said they are very excited and can not wait for it, some people send us special thanks for making it. But also I find some people emailed me, they want it so bad but just can not afford it yet.

My target for VoCore is to dig electric physics limit and my skill limit, make it to the best and do it to the extreme, it is a test for myself so I do not care much about its cost, but their request light my brain again, is it possible to make a wonderful thing but it also can be afford by the budget limited people such as students?

RaspberryPi zero is very good, only 5USD, its price is low and everybody can afford it. I waited the exciting thing over six months, try to get one but never success, it is too hard to buy 🙁 sometimes I just think it is not that real :p

VoCore2 is almost ready, production process is smooth for now, I am thinking if it is possible to use exists technology and production process make something even cheaper. After a lot of test,  it comes, VoCore2 Lite!

PS: We have limited production capacity, but I promise one people have one piece at least.

Compare VoCore, VoCore2 and VoCore2 Lite:

People may ask, is that price lower than the cost? The answer is it is not, but it is very very very close to the cost, and only for us with the experience of production VoCore2(we reuse  the VoCore2 tech, test jig, test app, to save cost etc…). Just hope students and other cost sensitive people will have a chance to play with the most advanced IoT board. Feel happy just like the first time I made VoCore.

Final, please help us spread the news! Good luck!

Using it as a router… Not many settings, all default but the username/password.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81uRInFyuxI[/embedyt]

VoCore2 is now on indiegogo.com again 🙂 https://igg.me/at/vocore2

Compared with VoCore v1, we added a beautiful shell(the picture is only a 3d print sample, final shell is much much better) and more features, also improved the LuCI interface to make it easier to use. Hope everyone will like it, same as usual, fully open sourced. 🙂