Just unpacked my SlimServer/ReadyNAS bundle & have questions

[atebit]

So, the SlimServer that's running on the ReadyNAS that I received yesterday is only 6.2 something. When I open up the web page to administer the SlimServer, it tells me that a new version is available (6.3) & do I want to download? Well, sure that's great, but when I go to the download page, it's set to download the Mac version of SlimServer (since I'm using Safari on my Mac). I guess I want the Linux version? Where do I download it to on the ReadyNAS, and how do I upgrade the firmware once I get it there?

I gotta say, the docs that come with the ReadyNAS are pretty sparse, but the quick start guide does a pretty good job of walking you through the setup wizard (which, in itself, is pretty easy to use). That's fine for getting shares cranked up on your network...I was able to mount the "media" share via smb with no problems after getting the box set up. But, there's no docs as far as I can tell about how the embedded SlimServer is different from say if I installed it on my Mac.

Admittedly, I'm a noob when it comes to SlimServer, and maybe I'm jumping in over my head by going right to the SlimServer/NAS bundle route. But there ought to be some docs that explain the nuances of SlimServer on the ReadyNAS.

Final question...to briefly try out SS, last weekend I downloaded a version to my Mac Mini that's running iTunes, and it automagicly learned all my music, playlists, etc. from iTunes. Is there a way I can get the embedded SlimServer on the ReadyNAS to do the same thing? If I just copy my iTunes folder (somewhere) on the ReadyNAS will SlimServer pick it up?

[mherger]

> So, the SlimServer that's running on the ReadyNAS that I received
> yesterday is only 6.2 something. When I open up the web page to
> administer the SlimServer, it tells me that a new version is available
> (6.3) & do I want to download? Well, sure that's great, but when I go
> to the download page, it's set to download the Mac version of
> SlimServer (since I'm using Safari on my Mac). I guess I want the
> Linux version?

IMHO you can't update your slimserver unless Infrant makes that update
available.

--

Michael

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[atebit]

Yes, it would appear after going out to the Infrant site that they are responsible for rolling the latest & greatest SlimServer into their firmware upgrades and/or plug-ins/patches. This might be obvious to a previous ReadyNAS user, but I just happened to stumble upon the "Streaming" board on the Infrant site and find this information.

It would be useful to include some ReadyNAS "integration" documentation, or at least include a slip of paper with some web links in the boxes the ReadyNAS bundle ships in, that explains how the embedded SlimServer works on the ReadyNAS, and that Infrant is responsible for providing loadable SS updates, rather than SlimDevices.

[ajmitchell]

Is there a way I can get the embedded SlimServer on the ReadyNAS to do the same thing? If I just copy my iTunes folder (somewhere) on the ReadyNAS will SlimServer pick it up?

I am not certain about this, but I think if you want to integrate Slim with itunes using files on the NAS, you'll have to transfer the location of itunes to your ready NAS (easily done using itunes advanced > organize). Then the slimserver default itunes location. However, this means itunes will have to running from your main PC (mini mac). Be warned that some people have had problems running slimserver with an "unusual" itunes location, and I have personally had problems with file transfer rates from my Lacie NAS to slimserver. Others may be able to help further here.

Ps. I would suggest you stick with version 6.2 there isn't too much wrong with it!

[atebit]

Thanks for the reply. Currently, I am using iTunes for "multi-zone playback" using Airport Express (or at least to the extent possible with that setup). Now I plan to replace the iTunes setup with SlimServer/Squeezeboxes and ReadyNAS. I would like SS on the ReadyNAS to build it's library from iTunes and inherit playlists from iTunes. I know SS will do this if I install it on the same computer where iTunes is installed. But my situation is the reverse (moving the iTunes library to NAS where SS is already installed. Is there a way I can get the NAS to do this import in this situation?

I still want the Mac Mini to run iTunes and have access to the music files on the NAS for purposes of syncing my iPod. I know there are several methods to re-configure iTunes to point to a "remote" music library; hopefully I can get that part to work. My main concern is to try & get the SS to import my iTunes music, and then automatically stay in sync as I add to the music library by importing songs via iTunes.

[ajmitchell]

So, I think you want to safely move your itunes library to the NAS whilst preserving playcounts and playlists.

Theres an excellent "how to" here which I have used successfully.

http://playlistmag.com/features/2005/08/shiftitunes/index.php

Hope this helps

Alex

[atebit]

Thanks, AJ, I have seen that page from Playlist Mag & will use that procedure when the time comes to migrate. My real question is how do I get the SlimServer that's embedded on the ReadyNAS to recognize those imported iTunes files and automatically scan & import them into the SS database? There doesn't appear to be any "iTunes" option in the embedded SlimServer.

[ajmitchell]

I believe all SlimServer setups come ready prepared to use itunes. My understanding is that this is a plug-in included automatically. You will need to go into the plug-ins directory of you embedded slimserver and change the default location of itunes from >my music>itunes>itunes music to the new location. After that I expect it should work.

does anyone here have direct first hand experience of running embedded slim and itunes from a ready NAS?

[if no response consider posting as a new question]

R
Alex

[cobbr2]

Yes, it would appear after going out to the Infrant site that they are responsible for rolling the latest & greatest SlimServer into their firmware upgrades and/or plug-ins/patches. This might be obvious to a previous ReadyNAS user, but I just happened to stumble upon the "Streaming" board on the Infrant site and find this information.

It would be useful to include some ReadyNAS "integration" documentation, or at least include a slip of paper with some web links in the boxes the ReadyNAS bundle ships in, that explains how the embedded SlimServer works on the ReadyNAS, and that Infrant is responsible for providing loadable SS updates, rather than SlimDevices.

When I clicked through and went to the SlimDevices site, there is now a way to download a .bin file for the ReadyNAS. So now the question is: how do I apply it? Infrant.com appears to be down right now, so they're not much help :-/ Ideas? A feature in progress?

[DJMUK]

When I clicked through and went to the SlimDevices site, there is now a way to download a .bin file for the ReadyNAS. So now the question is: how do I apply it? Infrant.com appears to be down right now, so they're not much help :-/ Ideas? A feature in progress?

I dont know about the bin file but Infrant's site is running. A couple of weeks ago, after a long period of beta testing, they released a new version of the operating system for the RadyNAS. As well as containing the latest version of SS it fixes many other problems. See below:

http://www.infrant.com/support/software_downloads.php

3rd item down - it's a 42MB download.

You can also do this upgrade from the ReadyNas's web interface if you prefer.

Hope this helps.