# ReadyNAS RN426: reconstructing front-panel control under TrueNAS

> The ReadyNAS RN426 panel project reconstructs front-panel control from NETGEAR's stock firmware so the LCD and navigation buttons work under TrueNAS SCALE. Its Python driver bit-bangs the SSD1305-class display through Denverton GPIO registers and reads button state from an MSP430 over SMBus when its interrupt fires.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Firmware · Protocol
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-08
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-08
- Original resource: <https://github.com/riplatt/truenas-rn426-panel>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/riplatt/truenas-rn426-panel/blob/2968ee0514908d44b076ed1120f385a338bf1cd2/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/truenas-rn426-panel-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/truenas-rn426-panel-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/truenas-rn426-panel-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** ReadyNAS RN426 or RN428 with TrueNAS SCALE is the working target; RN422/RN424 and other listed models are experimental.
- **Prerequisites:** Python 3, Pillow, DejaVu fonts, i2c-dev and i2c-i801 are required for the stated TrueNAS setup.
- **License:** MIT License.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/riplatt/truenas-rn426-panel/blob/2968ee0514908d44b076ed1120f385a338bf1cd2/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/riplatt/truenas-rn426-panel/blob/2968ee0514908d44b076ed1120f385a338bf1cd2/docs/reverse-engineering.md>
3. <https://github.com/riplatt/truenas-rn426-panel/blob/2968ee0514908d44b076ed1120f385a338bf1cd2/docs/buttons-protocol.md>

## More in Firmware and hardware

- [Dahua IP cameras: mapping the device JSON-RPC API](https://awesomerea.org/resources/dahua-rpc-api-case/index.md) · Case study
- [GNR-SMU: mapping Ryzen SMU telemetry and controls](https://awesomerea.org/resources/gnr-smu-case/index.md) · Case study
- [SACD daemon reconstruction: rebuilding Sony BDP-BX510 sacd_extract_160](https://awesomerea.org/resources/sacd-daemon-reconstruction-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Holy Stone H120D: reconstructing drone Wi-Fi control and video traffic](https://awesomerea.org/resources/h120d-protocol-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Nokia E7-00 Linux: reconstructing the boot chain and device interfaces](https://awesomerea.org/resources/nokia-e7-00-linux-case/index.md) · Case study
- [CTS Strasbourg Ticket Reader: mapping SRI512 ticket memory](https://awesomerea.org/resources/cts-strasbourg-reader-case/index.md) · Case study

## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.