*** UPDATE:  Note that OpenPogo has been updated to PlugApps, and there are numerous compatibility issues with the upgraded V2 Pogoplug.  These instructions apply to V1 Pogoplugs only, at the state OpenPogo was in when the article was written.  For more information on the current state of PlugApps for both versions of Pogoplug, click here and here. *** 

Rather than having to download a separate BitTorrent client, thus opening up your computer to potential security risks and sucking up valuable system resources, wouldn't it be great to let it run on your Pogoplug?  With OpenPogo, it's now possible to install Transmission (an excellent web-based BitTorrent client) directly onto your Pogoplug.  [If you haven't yet installed OpenPogo yet, click here for more information on getting started - OpenPogo MUST be installed for this tutorial to work.]

Note: Remember that installation of third party apps is not covered by the Pogoplug warranty, so proceed with caution.

Step 1: Update ipkg & Install Transmission

Of course - you have to open up the handy dandy Terminal (or PuTTY, if you're on Windows) and SSH into your Pogoplug.  First, execute ipkg update to ensure you have the latest package listing, then type ipkg install nano transmission.  This will download and install all the packages necessary for running Transmission on your Pogoplug.  See the screen capture above for a successful installation.

Step 2: Generate a Configuration File 

Simply execute transmission-daemon (the command to start Transmission) then killall transmission-daemon (to stop it.)  This will generate the config file you'll need to update in the next step.

Step 3: Edit Transmission's Config File

You'll have to edit the configuration file for Transmission to manage torrents from any computer.  To do this, execute nano /root/.config/transmission-daemon/settings.json.  This will bring up the nano text editor.  Scroll down to the indicated setting in the photo, "rpc-whitelist-enabled."  Change this to "false" but keep everything else exactly the same, then press Ctrl-X, then press Y, then ENTER.  This will exit you from the text editor.  Now, execute the client with the transmission-daemon command.

Step 4: Change Transmission's Download Directory

Congratulations... you're done!  Well, the client is installed, but there is one thing left you need to do.  You can navigate to the client from a web browser in your network easily; simply type in the IP address of your Pogoplug and append :9091 to the end, like so:

http://192.168.1.XXX:9091

If you typed it in correctly (and the installation went smoothly) the slick web-based interface for Transmission will come up.  Before you do anything else, I'd recommend creating a directory on your Pogoplug attached drive where you would like Transmission's downloads to go, i.e., "Torrents" or "Downloads."  Once you do that, go back into the Transmission client and look for the little gear icon at the bottom of the screen.  Click on it and enter the Preferences submenu.

In the first option, type this: /tmp/.cemnt/mnt_sda1/Directory_you_just_made

Remember that you want this directory to point where the Pogoplug attached drive is mounted - NOT where your OS is mounting it... for example, in Mac OS X, it will mount your drive in /Volumes/Your_Drive... this is not the proper setting to enter into Transmission.  Also, if you have more than one drive installed, you may need to use "mnt_sda2," "mnt_sda3," and so on.

Step 5: Run a Test Download

Transmission can utilize either a torrent URL or you can upload a file - your choice.  Give it a try, and if you're having trouble - check your download directory for accuracy.  Post to the Pogoplugged forums if you're having trouble, and enjoy torrenting with your Pogoplug!

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