[Drongo]

Hi

I’ve just bought and set up a few Logitech Squeezebox touch’s around the house. I’ve ripped a few CD’s (using DB poweramp) and the results are splendid. Currently; the few CD’s I’ve ripped are on my laptop – not the best place for them. So it’s time for me to think about some sort of NAS / server thingy.

As you might guess; I’m a complete and utter dunce when it comes to matters computer related.

I was originally thinking of buying a prebuilt Vortexbox which would give me about 1.5 Tb of storage for under £400. However reading through a few threads on this forum got me to thinking of putting together my own NAS to store my ripped CD collection on.

The thing is; I haven’t got a clue where to begin or how to go about it. So let me ask some very basic questions:

a) I’ve seen mention of Microservers. What’s the difference between a NAS and a Microserver?

b) When looking as NAS units; they appear to be enclosures where you just plug in a hard drive – is it really that simple? Or do you also have to add a processor and memory and some type of OS as well?

c) Why the huge differences in prices? I’ve seen Zyxel NAS units for under £50 and then the Ready NAS units for £150 plus and then Synology units for even more.

d) I’m looking to rip approx 1000 CD to Flac; so I’m assuming that something between 1 and 2 Tb would be more than enough for me.

e) I know that the NAS will have to run Logitec software; so does that mean I should buy a NAS where this software is supported (comes pre loaded?) or can you load the software onto any NAS drive?

f) Can you install pretty much any Hard Drive into any NAS enclosure? I presume if the hard drive and the NAS enclosure have the same connector type then they are compatible? Do NAS manufacturers recommend specific Hard Drives for their products?

g) Is there a preference for one connector type over another?

There are probably a lot more questions that I’ll need to ask; but that will do for now!

Many thanks and please keep the answers simple!


Drongo

[cjed]

Originally Posted by Drongo

a) I’ve seen mention of Microservers. What’s the difference between a NAS and a Microserver?

Generally a Microserver is much more like an always-on PC. It runs a standard operating system and is used to run a much wider variety of software than a NAS. In small businesses a Microserver may be used to host the company database and mail servers. A NAS is generally targeted at just providing storage services on a network (although most NASes can run other software as well), and usually has a custom version of linux as the operating system.

Originally Posted by Drongo

b) When looking as NAS units; they appear to be enclosures where you just plug in a hard drive – is it really that simple? Or do you also have to add a processor and memory and some type of OS as well?

Almost all NAS units come complete apart from the Hard Drives, it really is as simple as adding the drives and configuring the NAS.

Originally Posted by Drongo

c) Why the huge differences in prices? I’ve seen Zyxel NAS units for under £50 and then the Ready NAS units for £150 plus and then Synology units for even more.

Performance, features and support. The more expensive are generally higher performing, have more features (including additional software services) and are better supported by the manufacturers.

Originally Posted by Drongo

d) I’m looking to rip approx 1000 CD to Flac; so I’m assuming that something between 1 and 2 Tb would be more than enough for me.

You also need to decide if you want the NAS to run any services, and if you want some kind of data redundancy (so a hard disk failure doesn't stop things from working).

Originally Posted by Drongo

e) I know that the NAS will have to run Logitec software; so does that mean I should buy a NAS where this software is supported (comes pre loaded?) or can you load the software onto any NAS drive?

In your position I'd stick with a NAS or microserver that supports the Logitech Media Server software "out of the box". It's probably possible to get most commercial NAS units to run LMS, but may take a high degree of technical knowledge and skill.

Originally Posted by Drongo

f) Can you install pretty much any Hard Drive into any NAS enclosure? I presume if the hard drive and the NAS enclosure have the same connector type then they are compatible? Do NAS manufacturers recommend specific Hard Drives for their products?

Yes, pretty much all domestic NAS units use standard SATA hard drives. Manufacturers usually publish a drive compatibility list for ones they have tested, but most modern SATA drives will work in most NAS units.

Originally Posted by Drongo

g) Is there a preference for one connector type over another?

Almost all NAS units you will be looking at will take standard 3.5" SATA drives.

[mushroomface]

You've made a long-time lurker register!

I was in a similar position recently, I've been using a Drobo FS for storage but when a drive failed recently (causing errors with the Drobo software) I decided to take a look at a Microserver for additional protection. In the end I opted for a N40L due to £100 cash-back until end of this month - so £150 for the server, £250 for high end disks, installed OpenMediaVault (which I'm enjoying) and now have peace of mind.

Funnily enough, on my network (which I'm going to ask about elsewhere in a minute), the Microserver has better transfer/access speeds than the Drobo despite using the same WD drives (Cavier Green)!

[Drongo]

Cjed - many, many thanks for your clear and very helpful answers. You are a star!

A few more questions if I may.

Originally Posted by cjed

Generally a Microserver is much more like an always-on PC. It runs a standard operating system and is used to run a much wider variety of software than a NAS. In small businesses a Microserver may be used to host the company database and mail servers. A NAS is generally targeted at just providing storage services on a network (although most NASes can run other software as well), and usually has a custom version of linux as the operating system.

Thanks; that makes sense - even to me!

Originally Posted by cjed

Almost all NAS units come complete apart from the Hard Drives, it really is as simple as adding the drives and configuring the NAS.

So the NAS unit will be complete; no adding of a PSU or Processor etc. I can just fit the the HDD and that’s it – great!

When you say; ‘configure the NAS’ is this straight forward? Is it just a matter of formatting the Hard Drive or is there more to it i.e. is it something that a complete numbty like me could do or does it require a degree of technical skill?

Originally Posted by cjed

Performance, features and support. The more expensive are generally higher performing, have more features (including additional software services) and are better supported by the manufacturers.

When you say performance; I presume you mean a faster processor, more memory, quieter fan etc? In terms of features; I presume you mean that some NAS units have more software loaded onto them that enables them to do more? Could you give me some examples of these additional features?

Originally Posted by cjed

You also need to decide if you want the NAS to run any services, and if you want some kind of data redundancy (so a hard disk failure doesn't stop things from working).

I presume that the services you refer to are the features you mention in the previous question? In terms of data back up; I was thinking of buying a separate external HDD to back up to. I believe that most (all?) NAS units have USB sockets for this purpose.

Originally Posted by cjed

In your position I'd stick with a NAS or microserver that supports the Logitech Media Server software "out of the box". It's probably possible to get most commercial NAS units to run LMS, but may take a high degree of technical knowledge and skill.

OK; I’ll do that. Thank you for the advice.

Looking at this cheapie Zyxel at the BT shop their website says:

“Network Applications: Gigabit jumbo frame support up to 9K bytes / UPnP AV server / iTunes server support / SqueezeCenter support / Samba / FTP server support / Photo album server /phpMyAdmin / MySQL / PHP support / Support eMule/BitTorrent/FTP/HTTP downloads / Auto-upload newly-added files to FTP servers, Flickr and YouTube”

So I presume I could safely use this unit knowing that the Logitech Media Server Software is already installed on it?

Rather unhelpfully; I cannot see the processor or memory listed in the specs.

Likewise; looking at the The specs for the ReadyNAS Duo it says this:

Media Streaming
DLNA Compatible UPnP AV
Logitech SqueezeBox
SONOS Digital Music Center
Network DVD player compatible
Windows MCE compatible
Sony Playstation 3
Microsoft XBOX 360

So once again; I presume that I could put in a HDD and I’m good to go?

Mind you; there seem to be so many variants of the ReadyNAS Duo that making a choice as to which one to buy isn’t (at least for me) straight forward.

Originally Posted by cjed

Yes, pretty much all domestic NAS units use standard SATA hard drives. Manufacturers usually publish a drive compatibility list for ones they have tested, but most modern SATA drives will work in most NAS units.

That’s great; thanks. So when I’m choosing a HDD; I presume the things that I need to look at (apart from the capacity of the HDD) are spin speed (the faster the better?) memory (the more the better?) is there anything else I should consider?

Would something like THIS be suitable?

Would you anticipate any problems in fitting it to the NAS units I mentioned previously i.e. the Xyzel or more likely ReadyNAS Duo models?

Also; if a later date I wanted to become more adventurous and also store my Jpegs and possibly DVD’s on a NAS unit could I add an additional drive to the NAS unit (assuming it had the space) and store my other media there perhaps using something other than the LMS software I use for music? Or would it be easier to add a separate NAS unit to the network?

I presume you can additional NAS units to the network? I realise that to play the media files I would require another media player to do so as this is something that the Logitech Squeezebox Touch cannot do.

I’m probably getting ahead of myself here; but when I rip CD’s using DBpoweramp; can they be written directly to the NAS unit?

Currently when I rip CD’s they are stored in my PC’s music folder in the C drive. Would this still be the case when using a NAS; would I then export the music files from the C drive to the NAS or can they go straight to the NAS?

Finally (!!) if I wanted to; could I simply buy an external HDD plug that into my laptop via USB and rip my CD’s straight to that instead of using a NAS?

Once again; thanks for all your help.

Addendum: Since writing the above; I’ve been reading some customer reviews on Amazon for both the Xyzel and Ready NAS Duo’s. There seems to be some talk of people needing to upgrade the NAS units memory and software that needs updating. I might wrong; but it seems to me that to put together a NAS might be quite easy; but to use one it isn’t as simple as ‘plug and play.

Can anyone point me to a simple to use NAS and not too expensive that I can simply insert a HDD into and use with my Squeezebox without any further mucking about? Or should I just go back to my original idea of using a Vortexbox?

By the way; if anyone can point me towards a beginners guide (whether online or in print) to putting together a NAS unit I’d be grateful!

Once again; very many thanks again for all your help - it really is appreciated.


Drongo

[spinaltap]

I have a Squeezebox Touch and Classic located in different rooms - connected via Devolo AV200+ homeplugs - to my ReadyNAS Duo and AVR. I control all of this with iPeng on my iPhone/iPad. This set-up has been running flawlessly for the past two years.

I choose the ReadyNAS Duo because it has integral Logitech Media Server, and iTunes Server, onboard straight out of the box - and because it was the cheapest way into ReadyNAS.

If I was choosing again today, I would spend the extra and opt for the ReadyNAS Ultra 2+ (for more processing power, as I also stream movies from my ReadyNAS).

[cjed]

Originally Posted by Drongo

When you say; ‘configure the NAS’ is this straight forward? Is it just a matter of formatting the Hard Drive or is there more to it i.e. is it something that a complete numbty like me could do or does it require a degree of technical skill?

Almost all current "dosmestic" NAS units are configured via a web browser interface. Pretty much the same as most Wi-Fi routers, there will usually be "easy" and "expert" levels. What you will have to configure is how the hard disks are configured (which RAID level to use). Normal choices for a 2-disk NAS are RAID 0 (pool both disks into one logical disk), RAID 1 (mirror the 2 disks, this means that exactly the same data is on both disks, so if one fails you don't lose anything) or JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks, each disk is an independant store). You will also have to select which services are running (DLNA server, Squeezeserver etc.), and user/share security setups.

Originally Posted by Drongo

When you say performance; I presume you mean a faster processor, more memory, quieter fan etc? In terms of features; I presume you mean that some NAS units have more software loaded onto them that enables them to do more? Could you give me some examples of these additional features?

In general, yes. The more "Pro" targetted NAS units will have UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) support, enhanced RAID modes (if they support > 2 disks), dual network interfaces, act as an iSCSI resource and be able to support enhanced services as they have more powerful CPUs (such as transcoding DLNA servers).

Originally Posted by Drongo

I presume that the services you refer to are the features you mention in the previous question? In terms of data back up; I was thinking of buying a separate external HDD to back up to. I believe that most (all?) NAS units have USB sockets for this purpose.

Yes, I back up my NAS data to external USB HDs (although with Gigabit ethernet it's just as fast to connect the USB HD to my PC and back up that way).

Originally Posted by Drongo

Looking at this cheapie Zyxel at the BT shop their website says:

“Network Applications: Gigabit jumbo frame support up to 9K bytes / UPnP AV server / iTunes server support / SqueezeCenter support / Samba / FTP server support / Photo album server /phpMyAdmin / MySQL / PHP support / Support eMule/BitTorrent/FTP/HTTP downloads / Auto-upload newly-added files to FTP servers, Flickr and YouTube”

So I presume I could safely use this unit knowing that the Logitech Media Server Software is already installed on it?

Yes, although you might want to check which version of LMS it's running as earlier versions don't provide full support for later Squeezebox devices such as the Touch, or the Spotify/Napster music streaming services.

For the money it's a reasonable introduction to NAS technology, it isn't particularly fast (and may struggle with handling more than a couple of concurrent sessions), however it should be capable of doing what you need.

Originally Posted by Drongo

Likewise; looking at the The specs for the ReadyNAS Duo it says this:

Media Streaming
DLNA Compatible UPnP AV
Logitech SqueezeBox
SONOS Digital Music Center
Network DVD player compatible
Windows MCE compatible
Sony Playstation 3
Microsoft XBOX 360

So once again; I presume that I could put in a HDD and I’m good to go?

Mind you; there seem to be so many variants of the ReadyNAS Duo that making a choice as to which one to buy isn’t (at least for me) straight forward.

Netgear have recently upgraded the ReadyNAS line, there are V2 versions of the Duo which have faster CPU and more memory - this means that the older versions are being sold off cheaply. Here's about the best deal on the newer Duo unit : ReadyNAS Duo V2

Of the two units you mention, the ReadyNAS Duo V2 is the one I'd pick. It's a better built, faster, more modern design and has a much larger user base (which means getting answers to questions is easier).

Originally Posted by Drongo

So when I’m choosing a HDD; I presume the things that I need to look at (apart from the capacity of the HDD) are spin speed (the faster the better?) memory (the more the better?) is there anything else I should consider?

Well, actually the faster spin speed doesn't make much difference to the drive's performance in a NAS, and it means that the drive is more expensive, noisier, generates more heat and uses more power. Unless you want to support a number of users in a high-performance environment, go for the slower (5400,5900), cheaper, "green" drives.

Originally Posted by Drongo

Would something like THIS be suitable?

Would you anticipate any problems in fitting it to the NAS units I mentioned previously i.e. the Xyzel or more likely ReadyNAS Duo models?

Those drives should be fine, I use a couple in one of my NAS boxes and have had no problems with them.

Originally Posted by Drongo

Also; if a later date I wanted to become more adventurous and also store my Jpegs and possibly DVD’s on a NAS unit could I add an additional drive to the NAS unit (assuming it had the space) and store my other media there perhaps using something other than the LMS software I use for music? Or would it be easier to add a separate NAS unit to the network?

This depends very much on the software running on the NAS, a lot of NAS units will require you to re-initialise (wipe!) existing disks if adding new disks to an array, some will "grow" the storage onto the new disks without requiringyou to copy off your data and copy it back. It also depends upon which RAID mode you have the NAS configured in.

Originally Posted by Drongo

I presume you can additional NAS units to the network? I realise that to play the media files I would require another media player to do so as this is something that the Logitech Squeezebox Touch cannot do.

You certainly can, I have 3 NAS units on my home LAN. When you talk about media files, I assume you mean video/photos ? For these you will need something like the D-Link Boxee Box, WD TV Live or HDI Dune media players - all these will connect to the LAN and allow you to play media stored on your NAS(es).

Originally Posted by Drongo

I’m probably getting ahead of myself here; but when I rip CD’s using DBpoweramp; can they be written directly to the NAS unit?

Yes, that's what I do.

Originally Posted by Drongo

Currently when I rip CD’s they are stored in my PC’s music folder in the C drive. Would this still be the case when using a NAS; would I then export the music files from the C drive to the NAS or can they go straight to the NAS?

Normally you'd copy them all to an area on the NAS (and configure the SqueezeServer/LMS to pick them up from there).

Originally Posted by Drongo

Finally (!!) if I wanted to; could I simply buy an external HDD plug that into my laptop via USB and rip my CD’s straight to that instead of using a NAS?

Yes, no problem with that.

Originally Posted by Drongo

Addendum: Since writing the above; I’ve been reading some customer reviews on Amazon for both the Xyzel and Ready NAS Duo’s. There seems to be some talk of people needing to upgrade the NAS units memory and software that needs updating. I might wrong; but it seems to me that to put together a NAS might be quite easy; but to use one it isn’t as simple as ‘plug and play.

Can anyone point me to a simple to use NAS and not too expensive that I can simply insert a HDD into and use with my Squeezebox without any further mucking about? Or should I just go back to my original idea of using a Vortexbox?

You shouldn't need to upgrade (in fact I'm not sure either unit allows it) the memory. You may (probably will) need to update the software on the NAS units, but this should be reasonably painless (and best done before configuring the NAS).

I can't say that any current NAS is "plug and play", because they all all highly configurable they will need setting up. This is the usual trade-off between flexibility and complexity.

[Drongo]

Originally Posted by spinaltap

I have a Squeezebox Touch and Classic located in different rooms - connected via Devolo AV200+ homeplugs - to my ReadyNAS Duo and AVR. I control all of this with iPeng on my iPhone/iPad. This set-up has been running flawlessly for the past two years.

I choose the ReadyNAS Duo because it has integral Logitech Media Server, and iTunes Server, onboard straight out of the box - and because it was the cheapest way into ReadyNAS.

If I was choosing again today, I would spend the extra and opt for the ReadyNAS Ultra 2+ (for more processing power, as I also stream movies from my ReadyNAS).

Thanks for the info

I was unsure if one could run both Logitech Media Server and Media player software (Plex?) on one NAS; but I now realise that I should be thinking of a NAS not just as a hard drive attached to the network but rather as a 'limited computer' that can do more than one thing.

I am running the Logitech Squeezebox Controller freebie App on my Ipad. Would Ipeng be better?


Drongo

[Drongo]

Once again; I am very grateful for your patience and your thoroughness with your replies.

Originally Posted by cjed

Almost all current "dosmestic" NAS units are configured via a web browser interface. Pretty much the same as most Wi-Fi routers, there will usually be "easy" and "expert" levels. What you will have to configure is how the hard disks are configured (which RAID level to use). Normal choices for a 2-disk NAS are RAID 0 (pool both disks into one logical disk), RAID 1 (mirror the 2 disks, this means that exactly the same data is on both disks, so if one fails you don't lose anything) or JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks, each disk is an independant store). You will also have to select which services are running (DLNA server, Squeezeserver etc.), and user/share security setups.

Thank you for the clear explanation. Hopefully the configuration won’t be too tough for me; though I’m sure I’ll have more questions about this at the time!

As I’d like to back up the NAS to an external HDD; should I have two drives in use I should go for either RAID 0 or JBOD. Though I’m more than likely to use only one drive to begin with.

Originally Posted by cjed

In general, yes. The more "Pro" targetted NAS units will have UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) support, enhanced RAID modes (if they support > 2 disks), dual network interfaces, act as an iSCSI resource and be able to support enhanced services as they have more powerful CPUs (such as transcoding DLNA servers).

Ok, I see that.

Originally Posted by cjed

Yes, I back up my NAS data to external USB HDs (although with Gigabit ethernet it's just as fast to connect the USB HD to my PC and back up that way).

Got it.

Originally Posted by cjed

Netgear have recently upgraded the ReadyNAS line, there are V2 versions of the Duo which have faster CPU and more memory - this means that the older versions are being sold off cheaply. Here's about the best deal on the newer Duo unit : ReadyNAS Duo V2

Of the two units you mention, the ReadyNAS Duo V2 is the one I'd pick. It's a better built, faster, more modern design and has a much larger user base (which means getting answers to questions is easier).

OK; thanks for your advice and suggestion.

I’ve ordered the ReadyNAS Duo V2 that you linked to. I think that having a large user base and getting answers to my questions will be important to me!

I did consider getting the ReadyNAS Ultra 2+ that Spinaltap referred to in his post. But as this is my first dip into the waters of NAS I thought I shouldn’t spend too much in case it all goes pear shaped!

Originally Posted by cjed

Well, actually the faster spin speed doesn't make much difference to the drive's performance in a NAS, and it means that the drive is more expensive, noisier, generates more heat and uses more power. Unless you want to support a number of users in a high-performance environment, go for the slower (5400,5900), cheaper, "green" drives.

OK; that all makes sense.

Originally Posted by cjed

Those drives should be fine, I use a couple in one of my NAS boxes and have had no problems with them.

Good; I’ve ordered one of those as well!

Originally Posted by cjed

This depends very much on the software running on the NAS, a lot of NAS units will require you to re-initialise (wipe!) existing disks if adding new disks to an array, some will "grow" the storage onto the new disks without requiringyou to copy off your data and copy it back. It also depends upon which RAID mode you have the NAS configured in.

Well I hope that the ReadyNAS Duo V2 permits me to add another drive should I need it without too much fuss should I ever need to.

If I have only one drive installed and back up to an external HDD is the choice of RAID option even a consideration?

Originally Posted by cjed

You certainly can, I have 3 NAS units on my home LAN. When you talk about media files, I assume you mean video/photos ? For these you will need something like the D-Link Boxee Box, WD TV Live or HDI Dune media players - all these will connect to the LAN and allow you to play media stored on your NAS(es).

Yes; I mean photos (Jpegs) and possibly ripped DVD’s.

I realise that there are lots of questions to be asked about appropriate media players; but that’s getting too far ahead of myself!

Originally Posted by cjed

Normally you'd copy them all to an area on the NAS (and configure the SqueezeServer/LMS to pick them up from there).

OK; when I (hopefully) get my NAS sorted; I’m sure I’ll be asking exactly how to do that.

Originally Posted by cjed

Yes, no problem with that.

I can’t figure out how to do this.

The music folder on my Windows 7 laptop writes to the "C" drive. How do I change things so that it writes to my "I " drive – the external HDD?

I presume that if music was stored on the "I" drive that is where my Squeezebox would automatically read the music from?

Originally Posted by cjed

You shouldn't need to upgrade (in fact I'm not sure either unit allows it) the memory. You may (probably will) need to update the software on the NAS units, but this should be reasonably painless (and best done before configuring the NAS).

I can't say that any current NAS is "plug and play", because they all all highly configurable they will need setting up. This is the usual trade-off between flexibility and complexity.

Ok; well you’ve convinced me to take the plunge! I hope I can figure it out.

I can’t thank you enough for your help.



Drongo

[cjed]

Originally Posted by Drongo

If I have only one drive installed and back up to an external HDD is the choice of RAID option even a consideration?

Good question, I've never had a NAS with just the single disk so I'm not sure what your options are when you set up the NAS.

Originally Posted by Drongo

The music folder on my Windows 7 laptop writes to the "C" drive. How do I change things so that it writes to my "I " drive – the external HDD?

I presume that if music was stored on the "I" drive that is where my Squeezebox would automatically read the music from?

I think you mean that the default "Music" library in Windows is located on your C: drive (actually several locations). You can either change the location(s) of the default "Music" library, or you can change any program(s) to use a different location to store or access music from. It's probably not a good idea to change the location of the library to a drive that may or may not be plugged in (like an external hard disk).

As an example, here's how I organize the ripping of CDs and playing of music on my system:

In Windows you don't actually need to map a network resource to a drive letter, you can use what's called a UNC path to reference it. For example, I store my master music collection on one of my NAS boxes (called "CJED-NAS1") under a share called "Music" in a folder called "cd-flac". I can reference that from any of my PCs/laptops as "\\CJED-NAS1\music\cd-flac".

I also use dBpoweramp to rip my CDs on my main PC, I've set up a default profile called "flac-library", and have "\\CJED-NAS1\music\cd-flac" as the path. This means that whenever I get a new CD, it rips straight to the NAS. Actually I have two music libraries, the "master" library, "cd-flac" and a second library called "cd-mp3" which has exactly the same music, but in mp3 format for use with iTunes/iPod. So i have two profiles in dBpoweramp, "flac-library" which stores to "\\CJED-NAS1\music\cd-flac" and "mp3-library" which stores to "\\CJED-NAS1\music\cd-mp3". Whenever I get a new CD I rip it twice, once as flac using the "flac-library" profile, then again as mp3 using the "mp3-library" profile.

I have also set up my Logitech Media Server (squeezeserver) to reference "\\CJED-NAS1\music\cd-flac" for the media library, and to use "\\CJED-NAS1\music\playlists" for the location of my playlists. My iTunes installation on my PC uses the mp3 library by importing music from "\\CJED-NAS1\music\cd-mp3".

[bryanchicken]

As I’d like to back up the NAS to an external HDD; should I have two drives in use I should go for either RAID 0 or JBOD. Though I’m more than likely to use only one drive to begin with.

If you have 1 drive to begin with then you won't be able to use RAID unless you copy all the data off, setup the RAID and then copy it all back.

Personally (and i stress this is just my opinion) i don't like RAID 0. You only gain speed and its likely not to matter too much on a NAS (which tend to have less powerful hardware). If you lose 1 disk you lose everything.
If you are backing up to USB anyway then RAID1 also loses some of its appeal. You lose half your capacity even though you are backed up anyway.
Of course, you have to remember to actually do the USB backup and RAID1 is continually backed up rather than periodically.

[Drongo]

Hi

Well I received my ReadyNAS Duo V2 and my Seagate Seagate ST2000DL003 Barracuda Green HDD yesterday and have attempted to put together my first NAS.

Rather predictably; it’s all gone very pear shaped so far…

Firstly; I installed the HDD into the NAS unit. That seemed to go without a problem. Next; from the enclosed CD Rom I installed the RAIDar utility onto my laptop.Just after I installed the utility; my laptop gets a blue screen and crashes. When I get it restarted all seems ok and I carry on with the installation.

Following the set up guide I tried to ‘find’ the NAS drive. I just kept getting a "Share Operation Failed : 1001010006" message. After some hunting around on the net; I read on the Netgear support forum that I should attempt a ‘factory default’ reboot of the NAS unit. This involves powering the unit off; which sounds simple enough. Of course pressing the power button doesn’t power the unit off. Nor does holding the power button down for an eternity. Much frustration! After yet another search; this time on how to power the unit off; I discovered that you have to press the power button twice in quick succession. Simple enough; but very annoying if you don’t know this.

Now; things are looking good! I can ‘see’ my NAS on the RAIDar utility; so I proceed into the set up. I enter my e-mail details so that I can send myself a test e-mail just in case the NAS wants to alert me to anything. Anyhow; this fails and I don’t get the e-mail but I still proceed none the less.

I can see my NAS on the’ dashboard’ and this shows what Netgear call a ‘share’ or what I would call a folder labelled ‘media’. I have located the NAS on the ‘computer’ section of my (windows 7) laptop. I’m presuming this means that the NAS in now on my network?

I have a few Flac music files stored on my laptop. I decide to ‘send’ a few to the NAS which copy across OK as far as I can see.

I decide to try and play these from my Logitech Squeezebox touch. Only I cannot find the NAS from my Squeezebox. I then try to play music from my laptop via the Squeezebox (as I have been doing for some time) and the squeezebox does not connect to my laptop.

Clicking on the Logitech Media Server Control and looking under the diagnostic tab I read:

LOGITECH MEDIA SERVER RUNNING

SERVER IP ADDRESS XXX.XXX.1.111
PORT 3483 (slim proto) FAILED
PORT 9000 (http) FAILED
PORT 9090 (cli) FAILED

MYSQUEEZEBOX.COM

SERVER IP ADDRESS 79.125.111.32
PING OK
PORT 3483 (slimproto) OK
PORT 9000 (http) OK

ALERTS:

LOGITECH MEDIA SERVER IS RUNNING BUT CANNOT BE CONTACTED ON PORT 9000. THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS MIGHT BE BLOCKING YOUR CONNECTIONS:

Rather typically, there is nothing listed. I do not have a clue what the above means; but I assume that the Squeezeboxes are not in contact with the media server software. Does that make sense?

Also when I go and look at the ‘Music’ section on my laptop I read:

Music Library Locations
My Music Default Save Location
C:\Users\DANIEL\Music Unresponsive

Public Music Unresponsive
C:\Users\PUBLIC\Music

So it would appear that I have inadvertently mucked up my music folder!

As an experiment; I booted up an older laptop (windows XP) which I also have Logitech Media Server installed and my Squeezeboxes do see that. So it looks as my installation of the NAS has somehow screwed up the communication between my laptop and the squeezeboxes.

So where do I begin to sort this mess out?

I’m not sure if my Logitech problem is independent of the NAS (but caused by the computer crash I had when installing RAIDar?) or I need to reconfigure the NAS in some way or what to do really.

I want to:

1) Get my Squeezeboxes to ‘see’ my NAS – is it even on my network?
2) Get my Squeezeboxes to ‘see’ my Windows 7 laptop – as they used to
3)Sort out any muddle I may have created with my laptop music library
4)And once that’s done; figure out to how to rip discs directly to my NAS using DBpoweramp


Any help or advice is VERY gratefully received.


Drongo

[cjed]

Originally Posted by Drongo

I’m not sure if my Logitech problem is independent of the NAS (but caused by the computer crash I had when installing RAIDar?) or I need to reconfigure the NAS in some way or what to do really.

I want to:

1) Get my Squeezeboxes to ‘see’ my NAS – is it even on my network?
2) Get my Squeezeboxes to ‘see’ my Windows 7 laptop – as they used to
3)Sort out any muddle I may have created with my laptop music library
4)And once that’s done; figure out to how to rip discs directly to my NAS using DBpoweramp

First things first - you can run SqeezeCentre on the ReadyNAS. To do that, you need to enable it. So, shutdown the Squeezeserver(s) on your laptop(s). Then using the RAIDiator software, find the name and IP address of the NAS (these should be displayed on the status screen of RAIDiator). Switch RAIDiator into "Advanced Control" mode (there should be a button to do this), the alternative is "Wizard Mode".

In "Advanced" mode, there's a menu on the left of the RAIDiator screen. Click on "Services", it should open up and show further options, one of which is "Streaming Services", click on that.

Now on the right hand side, there should be a number of services you can enable by clicking on a box, tick the box for "SqueezeCentre" and then click on the "Apply" button at the bottom. Wait a minute or so, and you should get a "Setup" button.

Click the setup button, which will bring up a browser window for configuring the SqueezeCentre service. Select "Basic Settings" and enter the NAS folder containing your music files, and another NAS folder to contain playlists. Then press the "Rescan" button. After a while (depending on the number of music files you have) you should be able to connect to this from your Squeezebox devices.

I've taken the above from my ReadyNAS which is running RAIDiator V4.1.8, yours may be slightly different as it's newer, but there should be corresponding items. Post here with the IP address and name of your NAS, and version of RAIDiator it's running.

[Drongo]

Thank you for your help.

When I click on the RAIDar icon installed on my laptop; I get a window which shows the following info:

IP ADDRESS 192.168.1.118

HOST NAME nas-AO-BF-EA

The window shows some other info as well.

At the bottom of this window are a number of buttons including set up. When I press this another window opens which I presume to be the dashboard.

This has three main sections; HEALTH * SHARES * INSTALLED ADD ONS * PHOTOS.

There is no advanced control mode that I can see. By the looks of things; I don't seem to have anything called 'RAIDiator' installed.

Perhaps I missed it off the CD that came with the NAS...

I'll have a look now...

Drongo

[Drongo]

Well; I cannot see a 'RAIDiator' utility on the resource CD.

Here is a link to an image of the CD contents:

Imageshack - readnasresourcecd.png

The folder marked 'bin' has sub folder called 'set up' which contains the 'RAIDar' set up.

I wonder if I should have downloaded 'RAIDiator' Separately?



Drongo

[Drongo]

Further frustration.

I found the Radiator software here:

Downloads : NETGEAR ReadyNAS Community

I presume as my NAS is the ReadyNAS Duo V2 that I need the RAIDiator-arm download as opposed to the RAIDiator-sparc.

But once the download completes: I get message saying that windows cannot open it!

Windows says:

"File Type: Unknown

Description: Windows does not recognize this file type."

Arrghhh!!

So; I seem to need the RAIDiator software; but cannot open the programme. What do I do now?


Drongo

[Drongo]

I've gone back to the 'dashboard' hoping I can find something there that helps.

Above the main view (HEALTH*SHARES*INSTALLED ADD ONS* PHOTOS) there are a row of buttons marked: CONFIGURE * DOCUMENTATION * COMMUNITY * HOW TO.

When I click on the Configure button; I am taken to this screen

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/3377/readynas1.png

You will notice a row of buttons at the top. When I click the system button; I get this:

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/2519/readynas2.png

Is that info of any help?

Many thanks; again.


Drongo

[cjed]

Originally Posted by Drongo

Further frustration.

I found the Radiator software here:

Downloads : NETGEAR ReadyNAS Community

I presume as my NAS is the ReadyNAS Duo V2 that I need the RAIDiator-arm download as opposed to the RAIDiator-sparc.

But once the download completes: I get message saying that windows cannot open it!

Windows says:

"File Type: Unknown

Description: Windows does not recognize this file type."

Arrghhh!!

So; I seem to need the RAIDiator software; but cannot open the programme. What do I do now?

OK, quite a lot to go over, but let's start with RAIDiator. This is the Netgear name for the software system that's running on your NAS (the ReadyNAS Duo V2). That's why it won't run on yor laptop/PC - you've downloaded an update for the software on your NAS.

From the info you've posted we can see that your NAS is running RAIDiator v5.3.4. (a much later version than mine, but not surprising, my ReadyNAS is a few years old now). Your NAS has set itself up with a number of defaults, it's called itself "nas-AO-BF-EA", it's talked to your Router and been assigned the IP address "192.168.1.118". It's created a volume called "c" that takes up your whole 2TB hard disk.

Now, to administer the NAS and set it up, all you need on your laptop is a Web Browser. Run up your web browser (Internet Explorer/Chrome/Firefox), and type in "https://192.168.1.118/admin/". This should pop-up a login dialog, the default account is "admin", with the password "password". This is an alternative to using the "RAIDar" application on your laptop.

Instructions on how to setup/configure your NAS can be found Here.

Have a look at the section "Find and Install Add-ons Using Dashboard" in the manual I've linked to above. Looks like instead of "Services" your version of RAIDiator uses the term "Add-ons". It doesn't look from the manual as though SqueezeCenter is installed by default on your NAS, so you'll need to go through this section to get your NAS to download and install it. I'm afraid I can't give more specific instructions, but post any questions you have here.

It would also be worth having a look at the ReadyNAS FAQs : Here.

[Drongo]

Thank you cjed so very much for your time and patience.

Your post is very clear thank you for not using jargon that I wouldn't understand.

I have typed in https://192.168.1.118/admin/ via my browser as you said and that has taken me to the dash board.

I’ve read the section in the manual you linked to entitled “Find and Install Add-ons Using Dashboard” (page 67 of the pdf) and that refers to installing ‘add ons’ that are in the already displayed screen.

There is only one displayed add on and that is the ReadyNAS remote add on.

The next page of the pdf (68) has a section called Install Standalone add-ons which is what I believe I should be doing to install LMS onto the NAS.

Here is page 68 from the pdf:

http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/6...saddonspdf.png

So; I now follow the instructions. I click the 'Add add-ons' button (to the right of the refresh icon) A smaller window then appears with the option to browse for application that I want to install. As you can see:

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4...stallonnas.png

When I select Logictech Media Server I am given a number of options. I have chosen ‘SqueezeTray.exe’ which I presume is the LMS software?

When I hover my cursor over ‘SqueezeTray.exe’ I get this:

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/4...stalltonas.png

However when I click the upload button as per the instructions I get this:

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/475...stalltonas.png

‘Invalid Update Image’

I presume that I am trying upload the wrong file? I am not sure what file I should be uploading or where it is to be found.

Could the version of LMS that I have running on my pc be the wrong one for the NAS?

Once again, many thanks for your help.

Drongo

[Drongo]

I’ve just read this thread here:

Netgear ReadyNas Duo version 2

It would seem that at least initially; LMS wasn’t available on the ReadyNAS Duo. Edit: I meant to put Version 2 not just 'Duo'.

And that I do need to down load the V2 Arm software and install it on the NAS at least that's my reading of the thread.

Of course I can’t seem to get it on my PC (see post 15) so can I install it direct to the NAS? And if so how?

Thanks

Drongo

[cjed]

Originally Posted by Drongo

...
So; I now follow the instructions. I click the 'Add add-ons' button (to the right of the refresh icon) A smaller window then appears with the option to browse for application that I want to install. As you can see:

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4...stallonnas.png

When I select Logictech Media Server I am given a number of options. I have chosen ‘SqueezeTray.exe’ which I presume is the LMS software?

When I hover my cursor over ‘SqueezeTray.exe’ I get this:

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/4...stalltonas.png

However when I click the upload button as per the instructions I get this:

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/475...stalltonas.png

‘Invalid Update Image’

I presume that I am trying upload the wrong file? I am not sure what file I should be uploading or where it is to be found.

I think what you need to do is :
(1) Download the SqueezeCenter server software for the ReadyNAS Duo V2 to your PC
(2) Go to the "Add Add-ons" button on the NAS dashboard, and point it to the software you've downloaded in (1).

It looks like what you have downloaded is Squeezebox software for a PC (which uses an x86 type CPU, your NAS uses an ARM CPU).

I think you want to download this software : Logitech Media Server for ARM ReadyNAS

Logitech keep renaming the software, the latest versions are called "Logitech Media Server".

Once you've installed it on the NAS, you should be able to configure it via the Add-ons section in the dashboard (it might even install an icon into the dashboard front panel).

[Drongo]

Thank you! Thank you so much!

I've down loaded the software and installed it on the NAS!

Even better; my Squeezebox now 'sees' my NAS!

However; I can't seem to find any of the music files I sent to it earlier.

Clearly; I now need to find out how to send files to the NAS and ideally how to rip directly to the NAS with Dbpoweramp.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help.


Drongo

[Drongo]

Originally Posted by cjed

Once you've installed it on the NAS, you should be able to configure it via the Add-ons section in the dashboard (it might even install an icon into the dashboard front panel).

Yes; you're right the Squeezebox icon is there!


Drongo

[Drongo]

Ok; if I go to the ‘dashboard’ click on the ‘browse’ button the page shows me a ReadyNAS icon with two sub folders called C and USB.

If I click on the C folder; I can see that it contains three sub folders – Backup * Home * Media

If I then click on the ‘Media’ folder I can see that the music I sent to it earlier is there.

Now I need to know how to get the Squeezebox to see that folder….

Drongo

[cjed]

Good stuff - definite progress :-)

OK, the next steps are :

(1) Create or identifying a location on the NAS to store your music - This will be a "share", or a sub-directory of a share.
(2) Configuring your Logitech Media Server to scan that location for your music, and to perform an initial scan.
(3) Ripping music from your PC directly to that location on the NAS.

OK, for (1), as an example my ReadyNAS has a number of shares set up. You can treat them as the top level directories on your NAS that are visible on the network. I have a share called "music", under that I have created a directory called "cd-flac" which is where I've ripped all my CDs to. Have a look in the ReadyNAS manual under the "shares" section. It might have already created one called music. You'll need to do this through the NAS dashboard.

Closely related to Shares are User accounts. You can create user accounts on your NAS (again through the dashboard) and you can then give those users permissions to access the shares on your NAS. For an example, I have defined a user on my readyNAS called "cjed" who has permissions to read and write to all the shares. I log into my PC with a user called "cjed" (who has the same password as the user "cjed" on the NAS. This allows me to read and write to the NAS directly from my PC via Windows Explorer, by entering "\\CJED-NAS1\music\cd-flac" directly into the location field at the top of Explorer (it's displayed as "Network > CJED-NAS1 > music > cd-flac" ).

So, once you've created/located a share, and put your music on it, you need to set-up LMS (Logitech Media Server) - this is step (2) above. Luckily, you can do that from the Web Browser on your PC. type "http://nas-AO-BF-EA:9000/" into the address bar. This should bring up the default view of LMS. (if that doesn't work, replace your NAS name, "nas-AO-BF-EA", with it's IP address, "192.168.1.118"). At the very bottom right, there's a sort of cogwheel with the text "Settings". Click on that and you should get a new page of the LMS settings. Select "Basic Settings" and fill in a name for the library, and the folder it's kept in.

The folder will be something like "/c/music/cd-rips" - your NAS volume is called "c", the "music" part would be the name of a share called "music", and "cd-rips" would be a sub-directory you'd created in that share to store your ripped music. When you've filled in these fileds, and a similar folder where you will keep playlists, click on the "Apply" button at the bottom right. Then click on one of the "Rescan" button to get the server to perform an initial catalog of your music.

You can then click on the "Information" tab on that page to get details of how the scan has progressed. You should also be able to see some music on your Squeezebox devices!

We'll leave Step (3) till later ...

[Drongo]

Once again thank you for the detailed reply.

I should mention that on the dashboard along with the C folder and it’s subfolders (in particular the media folder) there are three sections to right marked: Share Properties * Share Access * Ready DLNA Services * Properties.

As far as I can tell the Share Properties and Share Access are set to ‘on’ and access to ‘all’ which I presume is correct and therefore not restricting access to files.

I am now going read and re-read (several times no doubt) your last post before I proceed.

Drongo

[cjed]

Originally Posted by Drongo

I should mention that on the dashboard along with the C folder and it’s subfolders (in particular the media folder) there are three sections to right marked: Share Properties * Share Access * Ready DLNA Services * Properties.

As far as I can tell the Share Properties and Share Access are set to ‘on’ and access to ‘all’ which I presume is correct and therefore not restricting access to files.

OK, sounds like you already have a media share which has no access restrictions. So try putting "\\nas-AO-BF-EA\media" into the top location line of a Windows Explorer window on your PC - does that show any files ? Or do you get a "Windows Cannot Access ... " pop-up after about 30 seconds or so?

If it works, try creating a "music" sub-folder there, and if that works a "cd-rips" folder below that. Then copy some music files into the cd-rips folder. The corresponding folder name to use when setting up LMS would be "/c/media/music/cd-rips" - notice that it's different because it's how your NAS refers to that location, whereas on the PC you would use "\\nas-AO-BF-EA\media\music\cd-rips".

[Drongo]

cjed; you are my hero!

I now have music playing from my NAS via my squeezebox!

Sorry; I've just read your last post. I went through the proceedure in your previous post to get the music playing. The music files I sent to the 'Media' share are just a few test items.

I have as you suggested created a 'Share' called 'Music' containing a subfolder called 'CD FLAC' which I will use for my future music rips.

So how do I send music to this location?

Edit: I 'copied' a music file from my laptop. When I was given a choice of destination, only the NAS drive was shown, not the 'shares' or sub folders. I just checked to see where the file ended up and it ended up in the media folder that already existed. Now I just need to figure out how to send music files to the music folder - specifically the CD FLAC sub folder.


Phew! Getting there - slowly!


Drongo

[Drongo]

After re reading your last post I realised that I shouldn't have created a separate share but a sub folder (Music) in the Media Share and a sub folder of Music (CD Rips) and sent the music there.

I have done this; but when I send any music it just goes into the main Media share.

Still haven't figured out how to send music straight to the desired folder...


Drongo

[cjed]

I don't think I understand quite what you mean by "send music to the desired folder". In my case I just copy the music files to the folder on the NAS using Windows Explorer on my PC. This is a picture of my main music library folder on the NAS, open in an Explorer window : NAS music folder in explorer.

I have my music organized in the default <artist>\<album>\<track> hierarchy - so you only see the artist folders. Notice the "Address" in the top bar of the Explorer Window - in your case this should be something like "Network > nas-AO-BF-EA > media > music > CD-FLAC". Once you have the folder open in Explorer, you can just drag you music into it (or use copy/paste from another window etc.etc).

Here's another Windows Explorer view of the same NAS music library folder, however, I've changed the way the location of the folder is displayed in the top bar of the window (so it's in what's called "UNC path" format). Here's the image of NAS folder with UNC path displayed.

Now, I use DBPowerAmp to rip my CDs, and I do this directly to my NAS music folder by putting the UNC path into the "Rip to path", as this screenshot shows : dBpoweramp ripping directly to NAS. In your case the UNC path would be something like "\\nas-AO-BF-EA\media\music\CD-FLAC".

[Drongo]

Once again thank you very much for your detailed help.

I think my problems stem from my ignorance of all things computer related; probably even incredibly simple and basic things that most take for granted! I’m not sure that I’ve knowingly used Windows Explorer before though I may have done so without realising it!

This is my music folder on my laptop:

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/779/musicfolder.png

What I am doing is right clicking on the word music (just below the word libraries) in the left hand column. When I do this another smaller window opens with an option to ‘send to’.

If I put the cursor over ‘send to’ I am given the option of several destinations including media(\\NAS-AO-BF-ea) (A: ) but not any subfolders.

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/1521/musicsendto.png

If I send music to that destination; the music files end up in the main media share/folder. That is say the one that already existed on the NAS.

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/6...asfolders1.png

Within this media share I have created a subfolder Called MUSIC and within that folder I have created a subfolder called CD RIPS.

I don’t understand how to send the music files to CD RIPS i.e. the music currently goes like this:
MUSIC > media(\\NAS-AO-BF-ea) (A: ) > c > media

MUSIC is my music folder on my laptop.
Media(\\NAS-AO-BF-ea) (A: ) is my NAS
C is the ‘volume’ on my NAS
media is the existing ‘share’ or folder on the NAS

I want to send it like this:

MUSIC > media(\\NAS-AO-BF-ea) (A: ) > c > media > MUSIC > CD RIPS i.e to the subfolders of the media ‘share’ or folder.

I have looked at the image you linked to (thank you!) showing the path
Folder > Network > CJED NAS 1 > music > cd-flac

That is basically what I want to achieve (with my CD-RIPS being the end point like your cd-flac folder) but I just don’t know how to do it.

I think I am lacking some very basic computer knowledge that would probably enable me to do this!

Drongo