AXE1600 Merlin with external USB drive. How to configure?

[Bhoot®]

Hello. Asus AXE1600 running 3004.388.8_4 current latest.
Tried looking at previous posts, could not find simple guide to get me started.
I've connected an external USB drive. It's detected in Asus GUI fine.
1. What format should I use? GUI has FAT/NTFS/HFS. I've seen other posts with people using exfat/etc.
2. I want to also use the NFS share option but that does not work with NTFS, decided to post here first.
3. Aim is enabled scripts to be stored on USB drive, NFS shares & eventually run AMTM scripts like dual switcher, try some monitoring scripts.
If possible want to be able to have NFS + CIFS/SMB shares.
Currently:
Persistent JFFS2 partition | Enable JFFS custom scripts and configs = No.

 

[Tech9]

How big it the drive first and what type?

 

[Bhoot®]

Samsung EVO SSD 250GB. Old drive, not been used in years.

 

[Tech9]

In this case my recommendation is to use single partition formatted in AMTM, add 2GB swap, keep your files in a separate folder. Custom scripts and configs must be Enabled in GUI, AMTM is included with the firmware, accessible via SSH.

 

[bennor]

@Bhoot, see the subsection called Prepare the USB Drive for the swap file, Entware, and scripts in the following link for general directions on formatting the external USB hard drive and creating a swap file:

amtm - amtm step-by-step install guide - L&LD

This is a step-by-step guide that will show how to optimally set up a USB drive for Asus’ RMerlin powered routers that will at the very minimum allow for use of a swap file for your supported router. It will optionally install Entware properly too, all with the help of amtm by @thelonelycoder...

www.snbforums.com

Beyond that just enable SMB/Samba under the router GUI's USB Application > Network Place tab/section to share folders and files on the local network. If you need NFS then see the NFS tab to enable NFS. If you need the media server enabled you can enable that as well on the Media Server tab.

PS: AMTM is already part of the Asus-Merlin firmware, just SSH into the router and type amtm to launch the program.

 

[Tech9]

No need to format the drive on a PC first. AMTM will remove existing partitions, create the partition needed and format it. Just follow the instructions in AMTM, it’s made as easy as possible, @thelonelycoder way.

 

[Bhoot®]

Thank you very much Tech9, bennor, thelonelycoder. Setup disk to ext4, 5GB swap, entware installed. Disk check was good. I am bound to mess up something first time, so far so good. Thank you very much - please remain awesome

 

[Tech9]

Credit goes to @thelonelycoder and other involved developers. We are only messengers.

This lonely website may help you further:

amtm - the Asuswrt-Merlin Terminal Menu - Diversion

diversion.ch

Information about individual add-ons here:

Asuswrt-Merlin Addon Software Catalog

Asus-Merlin Addon Software Catalog This sticky post functions as a software catalog (with links to threads, scripts, and author names), grouped by functionality, to make it easier for Asus-Merlin users to find and install addons for their Asus routers without having to search through massive...

www.snbforums.com

Another very helpful link here:

[Wireless Router] ASUS router Hard Factory Reset - Method 2 | Official Support | ASUS Canada