Even Easier Squeezecenter Install on Buffalo LinkStation Pro and LinkStation Live

[TiredLegs]

NOW EVEN EASIER, USING STOCK BUFFALO FIRMWARE!

IPKG WITH STOCK BUFFALO FIRMWARE: THE EVEN EASIER WAY TO INSTALL SQUEEZECENTER ON BUFFALO LINKSTATION PRO (LS-GL) OR LINKSTATION LIVE (HS-DHGL & LS-CHL) MODELS WITH ARM PROCESSOR

CURRENTLY, THE IPKG PROCESS DESCRIBED IN THIS THREAD INSTALLS SQUEEZECENTER 7.3.3. FUTURE AVAILABILITY OF SQUEEZCENTER 7.4 AND HIGHER VIA THIS METHOD IS UNKNOWN DUE TO TECHNICAL CHANGES MADE IN THE SQUEEZECENTER SOFTWARE THAT IMPACT ITS COMPATIBILITY WITH THE STOCK BUFFALO FIRMWARE. (THE SAME ISSUE ALSO AFFECTS COMPATIBILITY WITH JTYMOD FIRMWARE FOR BUFFALO LINKSTATIONS.) The latest version of Squeezecenter available as IPKG can always be seen at http://ipkg.nslu2-linux.org/feeds/un...cross/Packages. (Search that page for "squeezecenter".)

This is a revised set of instructions to further simplify installation of Squeezecenter on Buffalo LinkStations. The prior instructions (at http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=57224) were written to install JTYMOD modified firmware in the LinkStation before installing IPKG Squeezecenter. Those instructions still work, but this version of instructions will install Squeezecenter with the stock Buffalo firmware. I was finally able to overcome what turned out to be simple problem that had previously prevented me from installing IPKG Squeezecenter on my own LinkStations with the stock firmware. So these new instructions eliminate the need to install any firmware at all. Now, fewer steps are required, and chances of bricking your unit are further reduced.

In addition, if you are using a LinkStation Live model, the method described in this thread retains the “Live” functionality of the stock firmware that JTYMOD firmware loses. The “Live” functionality includes web access, a print server, and built-in DLNA media server, although DLNA is not used by Squeezeboxes. (JTYMOD is a modified version of LinkStation Pro firmware. When installed on a LinkStation Live, it makes the Live behave like a Pro.) Be aware, however, that a number of users have reported that the web access functionality for the LinkStation Live uses port 9000, which conflicts with Squeezecenter's use of that same port. Therefore, LinkStation Live users may need to disable web access functionality in the device, or manually reconfigure the LinkStation Live or Squeezecenter to use a different port for web access. (If you already have Squeezecenter installed on your LinkStation Live and are encountering this problem, see post #88 in this thread for how to change the Squeezecenter setting.)

If you already have JTYMOD installed on a LinkStation Pro or LinkStation Live HS-DHGL and wish to revert to the stock firmware to perform the Squeezecenter installation in this thread, see post #7. At this time, the specific procedure to revert a LinkStation Live LS-CHL is still unclear. (I don't have an LS-CHL to test with.)

Once again, I haven’t created anything new here. I’ve just put together all the pieces in one place to make a straightforward step-by-step instruction set for users who don’t know Linux. It is essentially a “For Dummies” guide to installing Squeezecenter on a LinkStation Pro or LinkStation Live. Thanks especially to forum member bzhou for maintaining the IPKG version of Squeezecenter. If you find value in using the IPKG installation of Squeezecenter, you can help fund its hosting costs, by making a contribution on the Linux Optware site http://nslu2-linux.org/wiki/Main/Donate. And thanks also to forum member vespa for outlining the easier steps for use with the stock firmware on the LS-CHL in the earlier thread (see post http://forums.slimdevices.com/showth...908#post378908.)

I have tested this installation process from a Windows Vista 64-bit PC to both a LinkStation Pro (LS-GL series) and LinkStation Live (HS-DHGL series). Users also have reported success using this installation process with the newer LinkStation Live (LS-CHL series) and LinkStation Pro Duo (LS-WGL series). As far as I know, this set of instructions only works on the LinkStation models listed above. (These models use an ARM processor.) These instructions may or may not work with other LinkStation models, and you could brick your unit if you try, so only attempt to do so at your own risk.

The installation process should be the same from any PC running Windows XP or Vista. If you’re running a Mac, somebody else will need to adapt the directions. If you're running Linux and know what you're doing, you shouldn't need these “For Dummies” instructions.


What is IPKG?
IPKG (Itsy Package Management System using Optware) is a quick and easy way to get Squeezecenter installed on a Buffalo LinkStation Pro or LinkStation Live. (See http://handhelds.org/moin/moin.cgi/Ipkg for more info on IPKG.)

For the average Joe or Jane user, IPKG is the simplest method to get Squeezecenter installed on a LinkStation Pro or LinkStation Live with minimal entry of coded commands. Linux power users will likely prefer the complete control of a full FreeLink installation (such as via the process documented in this thread by forum member farallon http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46005 ), freeing the LinkStation from the walled-garden of Buffalo firmware. But if all you want to do is just run Squeezecenter on the LinkStation, IPKG is a revelation for its comparative simplicity. And IPKG allows for easy updating to new versions of Squeezecenter with only a few coded commands. The only minor hitch is that before you can upgrade to a new version of Squeezecenter someone has to make the IPKG package for it.

After Squeezecenter is installed, the LinkStation graphical web interface permits you to control many settings of the LinkStation without further use of Telnet or Linux code commands, as would be the case for a full FreeLink installation of Squeezecenter. And by retaining the stock firmware, you can configure shared folders without using Samba, which I find particularly appealing. If you don’t even know what Samba is, IPKG Squeezecenter will save you many headaches of configuring access permissions.

***WARNING***
BEFORE UNDERTAKING THIS PROCESS ON YOUR LINKSTATION, BE SURE TO HAVE ALL YOUR FILES BACKED UP ELSEWHERE.

***WARNING***
EXECUTING ANY HACKING INSTRUCTIONS SUCH AS THESE COULD RENDER YOUR LINKSTATION INOPERABLE IF DONE IMPROPERLY. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

***DISABLE FIREWALL***
BEFORE PROCEEDING, TEMPORARILY TURN OFF WINDOWS FIREWALL UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE SQUEEZECENTER INSTALLATION. The Firewall may interfere with the process. You can access the Windows Firewall setting in Control Panel->Security.

These instructions assume that you are starting with a fresh (empty) LinkStation. If you already have many files stored on your LinkStation, you should back them up elsewhere and reformat the LinkStation disk drive before proceeding. (In the web browser interface, reformat the drive through Disk Management->Disk Format. If you don’t know how to do that, consult your LinkStation documentation for specific instructions on reformatting the disk drive.)

Now, on to the installation, contained in the following series of posts.

NOTE THAT MOST LINUX COMMANDS USED IN THIS INSTALLATION ARE CASE SENSTIVITE, e.g. “Squeezecenter” is not the same as “SQUEEZECENTER” or “squeezecenter”. To minimize entry errors, I recommend that you enter the commands by cutting and pasting them from these directions, rather than retyping them.

Your computer must be connected to the Internet for this procedure to work, because some of the commands download files from online servers.

[TiredLegs]

***STEP 1: BASIC LINKSTATION CONFIGURATION***

Point your web browser to http://192.168.1.XXX, substituting the actual IP address of your LinkStation. If you don’t know the IP address of your LinkStation, use the Buffalo NAS Navigator utility that came with your LinkStation to find it.

Login to LinkStation via the web browser, using the default username and password
user: admin
password: password

I strongly recommend setting a static IP Address for your LinkStation, so your Squeezeboxes will always know where to find your Squeezecenter server:
Go to Network->IP Address Properties.
Select the radio button to Disable Automatic via DHCP.
Change the entry in the IP Address box to be 192.168.1.130
Click Apply.
Click the link to confirm the new IP Address.

Your web browser will now be at http://192.168.1.130/cgi-bin/top.cgi.
Log in again:
user: admin
password: password


Set up a folder for the Squeezecenter installation procedure to deposit some necessary files into:
Go to Shared Folders->Shared Folders Setup.
Click Add.
Enter the Shared Folder Name, “share” [without the quotes]. You must use the name “share” for this folder.
Leave Windows and Apple support checked.
Leave the radio button for Read/Write selected.
Click the radio button for Recycle Bin to Disable.
Click Apply.


Set up a folder to deposit your music files into:
Go to Shared Folders->Shared Folders Setup.
Click Add.
Enter a Shared Folder Name, such as “Music” [without the quotes] and a description, such as “My music for Squeezebox”.
Leave Windows and Apple support checked.
Leave the radio button for Read/Write selected.
Click the radio button for Recycle Bin to Disable.
[If you leave the Recycle Bin enabled, music files that you think you deleted from the Music folder will still be there, and will still be scanned by Squeezecenter.]
You may also enter Access Restrictions on this page, although you may leave that disabled, in which case anyone on your local network will be able to access the music folder to add or delete files.
Click Apply.

You may now close the web browser page and proceed to Step 2.

[TiredLegs]

***STEP 2: TELNET INTO THE LINKSTATION***

Telnet is a way to communicate with the LinkStation that permits much greater access to the LinkStation than can be done via the web browser interface. These instructions use Telnet to get Squeezecenter installed on the LinkStation. The stock Buffalo firmware does not include Telnet access, so the steps below add it, along with a missing “wget” command necessary for the Squeezecenter installation procedure. (Note: the LinkStation Live LS-CHL models already have “wget” enabled, but the exact procedure below should still work fine on those models. If someone discovers otherwise, please post your findings in this thread.)

If you are running Windows Vista, you may need to enable Telnet on your computer.
Go to Control Panel->Programs->Programs and Features
In the panel on the left side, select "Turn Windows Features On and Off".
Check "Telnet Client".
Click the OK button.

On your PC, go to the directory C:\Temp. Create a new directory there with the name “LinkStationTelnet”. Make certain there are no spaces in the directory name. You should now have C:\Temp\LinkStationTelnet.

From http://buffalo.nas-central.org/download/TOOLS/ALL_LS_KB_ARM9/ACP_COMMANDER/acp_commander.jar download and save the file acp_commander.jar in the new directory C:\Temp\LinkStationTelnet.

Open a command prompt window on your computer. In Windows, you can do this by entering CMD.EXE in the text entry bar on your Windows Startup menu or Windows Explorer.
The best way to enter commands in the prompt window is to copy and paste them from these instructions. In Windows, you paste a command into the prompt window by right-clicking in the window, then selecting Paste (CTRL-V does not work in the prompt window).
In the command prompt window, change the directory to C:\Temp\LinkStationTelnet:

cd C:\Temp\LinkStationTelnet

Run acp_commander to install Telnet on the LinkStation and use the “addons” option to install the wget command:

java -jar acp_commander.jar -t 192.168.1.130 -o -addons

If you receive a SocketTimeoutException error, it probably means your Windows Firewall is still enabled. Disable Windows Firewall and try the command again.
Now, in the command prompt window, enter

telnet 192.168.1.130

Login as “root” [without the quotes]. No password is needed.
If the LinkStation fails to connect via Telnet, make sure that your Windows Firewall is still turned off.
Once logged in via Telnet, you are ready to install IPKG and Squeezecenter.

[TiredLegs]

***STEP 3: INSTALL IPKG AND SQUEEZECENTER***

Install IPKG:
While connected to the LinkStation via Telnet, enter these commands in the command prompt window:

mkdir /mnt/disk1/tmp

cd /mnt/disk1/tmp

wget http://ipkg.nslu2-linux.org/feeds/optware/cs05q3armel/cross/stable/lspro-bootstrap_1.2-7_arm.xsh

[If wget command above fails, check the http://ipkg.nslu2-linux.org/feeds/optware/cs05q3armel/cross/stable/ directory for a newer version of lspro-bootstrap, and modify the command and the next one accordingly.]

sh lspro-bootstrap_1.2-7_arm.xsh

If all went well, the last line of the executed command should be “Setup complete.”

Install Squeezecenter:
The IPKG Squeezecenter package is currently v7.3.3.

Enter these commands in the command prompt window:

/opt/bin/ipkg update

/opt/bin/ipkg upgrade

/opt/bin/ipkg install squeezecenter bash flac sed

Five or ten minutes into the execution of the last command above, it may pause and ask you to enter the SQUEEZECENTER_HOME location. If that comes up, just hit the Enter key, which will select the default location (/home/slimserver).

To fix some technical configuration issues that can interfere with Squeezecenter scanning your music files, you need to edit a few files. You will do this by using the “sed” text editor built into Linux. Each sed command below is followed by a corresponding “diff” command to confirm that the prior sed command made the edits correctly. If the sed commands are executed correctly, the diff commands will return pairs of lines, the first of which will begin “< #” and the second of which will begin “>”

chmod 644 /opt/lib/perl5/site_perl/5.8.8/arm-linux/DBI.pm

cd /opt/share/squeezecenter

/opt/bin/sed -i.orig -e '/dbh->STORE.*AutoCommit.*0/s/^/#/' /opt/lib/perl5/site_perl/5.8.8/arm-linux/DBI.pm

diff /opt/lib/perl5/site_perl/5.8.8/arm-linux/DBI.pm /opt/lib/perl5/site_perl/5.8.8/arm-linux/DBI.pm.orig

/opt/bin/sed -i.orig -e '/dbh->STORE.*AutoCommit.*0/s/^/#/' CPAN/DBI.pm

diff /opt/share/squeezecenter/CPAN/DBI.pm /opt/share/squeezecenter/CPAN/DBI.pm.orig

/opt/bin/sed -i.orig -e "/Slim::Schema->storage->dbh->{'AutoCommit'} = 0/s/^/#/" scanner.pl

diff /opt/share/squeezecenter/scanner.pl /opt/share/squeezecenter/scanner.pl.orig

/opt/bin/sed -i.orig -e "/Slim::Schema->storage->dbh->{'AutoCommit'} = 0/s/^/#/" Slim/Schema/Playlist.pm

diff /opt/share/squeezecenter/Slim/Schema/Playlist.pm /opt/share/squeezecenter/Slim/Schema/Playlist.pm.orig

/opt/bin/sed -i.orig -e "/Slim::Schema->storage->dbh->{'AutoCommit'} = 0/s/^/#/" Slim/Music/Import.pm

diff /opt/share/squeezecenter/Slim/Music/Import.pm /opt/share/squeezecenter/Slim/Music/Import.pm.orig

Now, start Squeezecenter:

/opt/etc/init.d/S99squeezecenter start

After the command prompt returns, you can type exit to end the Telnet session.
Wait a minimum of five minutes to be sure that Squeezecenter has fully started. Then point your web browser to http://192.168.1.130:9000 to run the initial Squeezecenter setup.
On the SqueezeNetwork Account page of the setup, if you don’t have a SqueezeNetwork account already, or if you don’t even know what SqueezeNetwork is, just click Skip to move on. You can configure SqueezeNetwork later.

When the setup asks for the location of your music folder, you should find the shared folder that you created earlier at mnt/disk1/[your folder name], e.g. mnt/disk1/Music. You can skip entering a Playlist folder location for now by clicking Next without selecting a folder.

By the time you click Finish in the Squeezecenter setup, any Squeezeboxes connected to your network should have found the Squeezecenter server.

Don’t forget to turn your Windows Firewall back on!

You can now load up the music folder on your LinkStation with all your music files. You access the folder from your computer by using Windows Explorer and selecting Map Network Drive.

If you reboot your LinkStation, Squeezecenter should restart automatically, so no need to manually launch it.

If Squeezecenter fails to start up properly after reboot you may need to remove a file that sometimes prevents it from starting up properly:

/opt/etc/init.d/S99squeezecenter stop

rm /home/slimserver/squeezecenter.pid

/opt/etc/init.d/S99squeezecenter start

[TiredLegs]

***UPGRADING SQUEEZECENTER***

After Squeezecenter is installed, you can easily update to a newer version when the IPKG for it becomes available. There is no reason to do this procedure unless a newer IPKG is available. You can see the current Squeezecenter version number that is available as an IPKG at http://ipkg.nslu2-linux.org/feeds/op...table/Packages. (Search the page for "squeezecenter".)

New streamlined upgrade procedure (thanks boomjoe):

/opt/etc/init.d/S99squeezecenter stop

/opt/bin/ipkg update

/opt/bin/ipkg upgrade

After a new version is installed, you will probably need to re-edit the files using the sed command lines, the same as you did in Step 3 above, in order for music scanning to work correctly.

After the Squeezecenter reinstall is complete, you might again need to remove a file that sometimes prevents Squeezecenter from starting up properly:

rm /home/slimserver/squeezecenter.pid

Start Squeezecenter

/opt/etc/init.d/S99squeezecenter start

If Squeezecenter fails to start up properly, you might need to reboot your LinkStation. You can do this from Telnet by entering:

reboot

Bear in mind that a new IPKG version only becomes available after a knowledgeable and considerate person makes it from an official Squeezecenter release. Slim Devices does not make the IPKG. I do not make the IPKG. (I don’t even know how.)

Enjoy your new Squeezecenter server.

[musicexpression]

Hi TiredLegs,

Would like to check with you or other experts here, how to revert back to the stock 1.07 firmware (I am using LS-CHL 1TB)?

I have previously followed your detailed steps and worked well. With your new method, I am tempted to restore to stock and reinstall again.

I tried going thru Vespa's post & NAS-Central's guides but unable to understand.

Would certainly appreciate your kind assistance. Many thanks.

[boomjoe]

***UPGRADING SQUEEZECENTER***

This sequence removes the existing IPKG and Squeezecenter from your LinkStation:

cd /mnt/disk1/tmp

sh lspro-bootstrap_1.2-5_arm.xsh

rm -rf /mnt/disk1/.optware

rm -rf /usr/lib/ipkg

reboot

After the reboot is complete, Telnet back in to the LinkStation as described above. This sequence installs the latest versions of IPKG and Squeezecenter:

cd /mnt/disk1/tmp

wget ipkg.nslu2-linux.org/feeds/optware/cs05q3armel/cross/stable/lspro-bootstrap_1.2-5_arm.xsh

sh lspro-bootstrap_1.2-5_arm.xsh

/opt/bin/ipkg update

/opt/bin/ipkg install squeezecenter bash flac sed

Great instructions, good work. Just one question and possible suggestion.

I'm not sure why you are removing the optware package and bootstrap just to do an upgrade? Do you have a reason? Seems like a lot more work than just doing an "ipkg upgrade".

Here's what I would do to upgrade:

/opt/etc/init.d/S99squeezecenter stop
/opt/bin/ipkg update
/opt/bin/ipkg upgrade

The instructions above in order are basically stopping your squeezecenter software, then updating the ipkg lists so it knows what to upgrade, then upgrading your installed packages.

This will download and configure your installed packages. When the process is done it will return "Successfully terminated."

You'll still need to do the sed commands and in my case update the /opt/etc/squeezecenter.conf if you have changed your http port to 9001.

Just a suggestion.

[jmcg]

***STEP 2: TELNET INTO THE LINKSTATION***

cd C:\Temp\LinkStationTelnet

Run acp_commander to install Telnet on the LinkStation and use the “addons” option to install the wget command:

java -jar acp_commander.jar -t 192.168.1.130 -o -addons

If you receive a SocketTimeoutException error, it probably means your Windows Firewall is still enabled. Disable Windows Firewall and try the command again.
Now, in the command prompt window, enter

telnet 192.168.1.130

Login as “root” [without the quotes]. No password is needed.
If the LinkStation fails to connect via Telnet, make sure that your Windows Firewall is still turned off.
Once logged in via Telnet, you are ready to install IPKG and Squeezecenter.

Thanks TiredLegs. Excellent instructions!

I just had one question. I have it all setup, on a Linkstation Live 500Gb fixed IP. When I reboot the linkstation I have to redo the java acp_commander update to setup telnet to get back onto the linkstation. This same command also lets the squeezecenter come up and accessible to the squeezebox. Am I missing a step to harden the linkstation so I don't have to redo this one step. Anyone else have this issue. I do plan on switching the linkstation off when I'm not using it.

Thanks,
jmcg

[jmcg]

Thanks TiredLegs. Excellent instructions!

I just had one question. I have it all setup, on a Linkstation Live 500Gb fixed IP. When I reboot the linkstation I have to redo the java acp_commander update to setup telnet to get back onto the linkstation. This same command also lets the squeezecenter come up and accessible to the squeezebox. Am I missing a step to harden the linkstation so I don't have to redo this one step. Anyone else have this issue. I do plan on switching the linkstation off when I'm not using it.

Thanks,
jmcg

Maybe didn't explain that too well. I have everything setup, working nicely. On reboot or poweroff, I can't get to the Squeezecenter gui and I can't telnet in, so it doesn't look like some services have started. I have to to the part above to install telnet and whatever else it does and immediately the squeezecenter is accessible and i can telnet on. Does it everytime.

thanks in advance of any info..

Update, got telnet going, easy uncomment in /etc/init.d/rcS. Squeezecentre came up itself then after a few mins. Really does take a good 5mins+ to let the load averages calm down to make it usable on the GUI/iPeng on a ipod touch.


jmcg

[Simon300]

I'm new to this and have been trying SqueezeCenter on my LinkStation Pro (v2) prior to buying a SB Boom. Thanks to these instructions from TiredLegs (which worked really well ) I have installed SC without any problem.

However I'd really like to get AlienBBC working so need to install (and possibly compile) mplayer. I can see there are quite a few posts where people have been trying to get mplayer working, mainly on LinkStations running Freelink. Has anyone managed this on the Buffalo firmware? If so could you kindly point me in the right direction.

Thanks!

Simon