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Mini-HOWTO: TiVo 3.0 + Linux-based LAN
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Posted by: dev_null42

I spent quite a while scouring the Underground for information on the subject to no avail. Thus here is a quick mini-HOWTO on connecting a TiVo with version 3.0 software to a Linux LAN.

Here is my setup:

DSL provider -- Linux NAT/firewall box -- 100 base-T switch -- TiVo

The server is running Debian (Woody) under kernel 2.4.18. Adjust instructions accordingly to your distribution of choice.

0. Get the 3.0 patch to the TiVo through conventional means

1. Set up masquerading on the server. Go to www.linuxdocs.org for relevant HOWTOs to do this.

2. Download and install the DHCP daemon on the server. I am running version 2.0pl5-11.

3. Make sure your kernel has Packet socket (CONFIG_PACKET) Socket Filtering (CONFIG_FILTER) enabled. You may need to recompile your kernel and reboot as necessary. (*grumble* lost my uptime *grumble*)

4. Edit the dhcpd.conf file, which should be in /etc. Here's a sample. If your LAN is not set to be a class C (i.e., 192.168.1.xx), adjust IP addresses as necessary.

option domain-name "internal-lan";
option domain-name-servers 192.168.1.1;

option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;
option broadcast-address 192.168.1.255;
option routers 192.168.1.1;
default-lease-time 43200; # 12 hours
max-lease-time 86400; # 24 hours

subnet 192.168.1.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
range 192.168.1.200 192.168.1.240;
}

If you're like me, you'll want the TiVo to have a static address. Add this to dhcpd.conf:

host tivo {
hardware ethernet xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx; # <-- replace with MAC address of TiVo
fixed-address 192.168.1.20;
}

5. Start up the dhcp daemon. Check /var/log/daemon.log for any warnings/errors.

6. Reboot the TiVo with the ethernet card and cable plugged in. Meanwhile, do a 'tail -f /var/log/daemon.log' and ensure that the TiVo correctly requests an IP address. If it works, you'll see something like this:
Jun 17 04:25:32 cavall dhcpd-2.2.x: DHCPREQUEST for 192.168.1.20 from xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx via eth0
Jun 17 04:25:32 cavall dhcpd-2.2.x: DHCPACK on 192.168.1.20 to xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx via eth0

7. Supposedly the TiVo needs the NTP port (UDP 123) to be accessible. Edit the firewall settings to forward the port to the TiVo like so:

iptables -t nat -A PREROUTING -p udp -d $STATIC_IP --dport 123 -j DNAT --to 192.168.1.20:123

where $STATIC_IP is your external address.

8. Make sure the firewall masquerades port 80. The TiVo uses that port to download program data.

9. Go to the Tivo's phone setup menu. Set the dialing prefix to ',#401'. Disable 'check for dial tone'.

10. Now is the moment of truth. Make a test dial. If it succeeds, congrats! Enjoy.

Post below any problems/corrections/complaints.