two libraries on one server

[radiognome]

I don't know if a similar question has already been answered, as the search-function doesn't seem to work today, so sorry if this is already answered elsewhere but,

What is the most convenient way to have a NAS or server act like two instances. How can I run sqeezebox-server twice, preferably on a NAS, and not have to worry about ports and such, but just have multiple sources to joint to with nice names in the screen to choose from (two IP-adresses and use DNS-entries?).

My wife and I both use our own computers as 'personal' music libraries, and share mysqueezebox.com.

I am thinking about putting up a dedicated server-thing, but it would be a simple 'no' if that would lead to having to mix our libraries on one server-instance. They have to be simply choosable with the squeezebox controler with both having our own albums, favorites and streaming-accounts.

Anyone a link to a convenient 'how to'?

[toby10]

Running two separate SBS server programs on any one computer is asking for trouble, particularly on a low powered NAS.

The simple way is to just run SBS on each of your separate computers both on your home network.
Both can share a single MySB account, if you want.

Your players will show each seperate SBS instance to connect too.

[radiognome]

The simple way is to just run SBS on each of your separate computers both on your home network.
Both can share a single MySB account, if you want.

Your players will show each seperate SBS instance to connect too.

This is our current situation that I would like to change. We are both on wifi (no 'wake on LAN') and I use a laptop which is inconvenient to keep on all the time I want to listen to my library.

I could build me a small server / 'NAS with brains' if processor-power is the only obstacle. We can have a shared household-calender as well... ;-)

[aubuti]

Depending on how well you know your way around computers, you could consider setting up a server that also runs a virtual machine (VM). Common software for this is VMWare and VirtualBox, although there are others. I thought the instructions for VirtualBox looked easier so that's what I use. I often run the latest official release of SBS on the physical host, and the nightly beta version of SBS on a VM, but you can run the same version of SBS. In my case they share the same music library, but it's just as easy (or even easier) to use different libraries. Each machine has its own IP address, hostname, set of ports, etc.

Automatic suspend can be a problem, like when the physical host wants to suspend but the VM is still streaming, but if you're not doing WOL then it doesn't sound like that will be an issue for you.

On most NASs it would be completely impractical to run a VM because the system resources just aren't there. But if you're only running SBS (x2) then an Atom-based server with at least 1GB RAM (2GB is better) will do the job, especially if you use a relatively lightweight OS (meaning Linux, not Windows).

EDIT: Btw, it is possible to set up two SBS instances on the same machine, but it's much easier to use a VM.

[radiognome]

Thanks aubuti,

I did consider virtual machines (two computers on one peace of hardware). But that answers my question with 'No, you can't practically run two instances of SBS on one computer.'

I thought it a bit overkill to have a two different OS-instances for running what essentially is quite a light service twice.

[aubuti]

Maybe, but to me it's overkill for each user to have his/her own SBS running. So pick your poison.

Maybe Erland's Multi Library plugin will do what you want.

[radiognome]

I'll have a look at that plugin... Thanks for the tip.

I was thinking, design wise it is not that hard to have one service manage two library's, two sets of tables in MySQL and advertise these on the network. As in our case they don't even have to be serviced at the same time. I only have not the faintest idea how deep this would be in the SBS-code, but hoped it would be quite a front-end-job. (I do work with IT, in a job related to software-design).

Looks like someone already did something with this idea.

As Homo Sapiens mostly live in groups of two adult-entities with perhaps some juvenile specimen, the occurrence of multiple music libraries with one squeezebox to convert them to audio-signals is probably not rare.

Kind regards, Martin

[aubuti]

As Homo Sapiens mostly live in groups of two adult-entities with perhaps some juvenile specimen, the occurrence of multiple music libraries with one squeezebox to convert them to audio-signals is probably not rare.
True, but often compatibility of musical tastes is part of the assortative mating process that brings those two adult-entities together, and sometimes even plays a role in the arrival of said juvenile specimans. Of course there are exceptions. ;o)