Ubuntu 14.04 LTS doesn't recognize CDROM/DVD device

Question

I am working on an attribute based routing protocol, where source node (Node A) collect attributes from two neighbor nodes (Node B and C) and based on ranking, Node A decides,to forward its data either to Node B or Node C

Now, I want to test this algorithm in test-bed with real UnetStack compatible modems,but there are only two real modems available,so if I create my topology with source node (Node A) running on laptop (using simulated modem) and neighbors(Node B and C) run using real modems. Is there a way that Node A can transmit and receive data from Node B and C. As Node B and C uses real modems.

Please let me know, how I can do this using only two real modems,also suggest if there is any other approach.

Solution

The Optiarc AD 5540A can be a bit flaky. You might want to replace it with a more recent drive as it doesn't appear that Optiarc is offering firmware updates for it ATM.

If your the adventurous sort and want to try out different firmware on the drive (which came out in 2006) there are a number of possibilities listed here.

Note: Changing the firmware on a device can have unpredictable results and I don't recommend doing it unless you are prepared to pitch it in the bin if something goes awry.

Sources:

http://www.sony-optiarc.us/endoflifeproducts/dvddrives/slim/ad5540a.html http://www.postseek.com/meta/dee33ebab1ad80e6ba438b14230396d0

Comments

[Elder Geek]

The drive should be detected and listed under *-cdrom when you issue the sudo lshw -class disk command. Are you sure the drive isn't damaged?

[fguillen]

@ElderGeek My friend (the owner of the computer) says it works properly under WindowsXP. The device makes the proper noises when you put a CD into it. And the BIOS looks like it detects it. :/

[Elder Geek]

It could be a bad connection. Have you tried the drive in a different system, different cables, Tried a different drive in the system?

[Elder Geek]

I see that this drive is a slim laptop version PATA Which Sony has listed as End of Life. sony-optiarc.us/endoflifeproducts/dvddrives/slim/ad5540a.htm‌​l There is no new firmware available for it sony-optiarc.us/support/downloads/dvdrwseries.html so scratch that idea.. Does the laptop it's in even meet the minimum system requirements for Ubuntu?

[fguillen]

@ElderGeek the sad thing is that the basic 14.04 supports it (from the downloaded version) but some of the updates makes it to not be supported anymore. Is it really not hope? should I install WindowsXP :(

[Elder Geek]

You could try booting the same kernel as exists on the installation media... If that works as advertised I'd report a bug... wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies

[Elder Geek]

Can you define what you mean by "the basic 14.04 supports it"? If the kernel is the same, what might have changed that would cause a decrease in hardware support? I've seen increases in hardware support but not the reverse. Perhaps this is the result of adding something from an unsupported PPA?

[fguillen]

@ElderGeek I get the Ubuntu 14.04 LTS version from here, I "burn" an USB stick with it and start the machine choosing "Try Ubuntu", with this set up the cdrom is detected. Then I choose "Install Ubuntu", of course I choose to "Update during the install" after this process the cdrom is not supported. The kernel test was a good idea, now looks like it is some other update which is causing the problem, but I can not have a Ubuntu that can't be updated because I'm gonna lost the cdrom support :/

[Elder Geek]

Sounds like a rare bug. I've been unable to duplicate your results. Did you check the md5sum before "burning to USB"? The only other thing I can think of is to Install without updating during the install, making sure that the cdrom is still supported after a reboot, then installing updates one at a time and testing until we find the offending package.

[Elder Geek]

are you installing the 32 or 64-bit version?

[fguillen]

@ElderGeek 64 do you think is a good test if I try the 32 version? the machine has 1.9GB RAM

[Elder Geek]

Let us continue this discussion in chat.

[Elder Geek]

Update from chat: @fguillen states: I just gave up, I think this is an "only this computer" issue, has not point to be solved. The computer is not for me and the owner is pushing me to install WindowsXP .. I can not continue defending Ubuntu is easier.. because in this case it wasn't :)

[Elder Geek]

Should we delete this question @fguillen ?

[Elder Geek]

You might have similar problems under Windows: postseek.com/meta/dee33ebab1ad80e6ba438b14230396d0

[fguillen]

@ElderGeek I wouldn't delete the question because even if it can be a "only this computer" issue it is not an "only me" issue. So maybe someone with the same computer (or cdrom device) can find some insight in this crazy epic story :). But if you insist I don't have any problem with delete it.

[Elder Geek]

No, I don't insist. If anyone can benefit from this it's worth having IMHO.

[Mandar Chitre]

Interesting question. The short answer is yes, you can mix modems in the real world, and in the simulator in a Unet. But a modem in the real world can't send an acoustic transmission to the modem in the simulated world, or vise-versa, directly. Instead, you have to treat the simulated world as one subnet, and the real world as a different subnet, and connect the two networks through gateway nodes. In your case, nodes B and/or C will have instances in both the networks (simulated and real). If this type of solution is of interest to you, I can post an answer describing how to set it up.

[AKHILRAJ V GADAGKAR]

Yes sir, kindly post your answer. Meanwhile, here I didn't understood, why nodes B and C will have instances in both simulated and real networks. Hope I will be getting answer for this too.

[AKHILRAJ V GADAGKAR]

Sir, I was unable to try implementing your solution immediately, with some other work. Now I am working on it, but I couldn't clearly make out about implementing proxy phy2 agent, using UnetSocket between simulated nodes and real modems. Do I need to implement two Unetsocket, one for sending and another for receiving or a single Unetsocket will be enough? Kindly help me, a skeleton code for implementing proxy phy2 agent will be much helpful..

[Mandar Chitre]

My reply above explains the behavior of phy2. If you can explain what is it that you don't understand, perhaps I can expand on that.