Confused as to system requirements

[virgiliomi]

If I were ever to do it again, I'd use exactly what I have at this time...

A Netgear ReadyNAS Ultra 2 Plus. The dual-core x86 Atom processor gives plenty of heft for transcoding multiple streams simultaneously (I've run three transcodes simultaneously to different devices without it breaking a sweat). And the fact that Logitech releases Logitech Media Server versions specifically for Netgear ReadyNAS means I don't have to wait for a third-party to release an update. Plus having all of my media (and system backups) mirrored across two drives for redundancy is another plus. You might be able to save some cash by going with an Ultra 2 (single-core x86 Atom CPU), but at least I know I'm future-proofed for performance!

If for some reason my best setup weren't possible, the next option I would go with is a mini PC, likely running Windows, set up with Remote Desktop. Yes, it's a lot more resource-intensive than Linux, but I'm not a Linux god (I know enough to be dangerous), so the ability to use Remote Desktop and look at a full Windows desktop on the system would be great. And again, since Logitech releases LMS versions for Windows, I don't have to wait for a third-party to release an update, which may or may not work for the system that I've set up (i.e. VortexBox, SqueezePlug, etc.).

[AnthonioBEL]

I installed FreeNAS on an old PC.
Works brilliantly, and is free.
To bring the old PC up to spec, I spent 70.- on a 2TB HDD and a 1gb RAM stick.
Thanks to Michael Herger, it's dead-easy to install LMS onto FreeNAS. Takes 2 minutes, even if you're not used to working on a NAS.

Any downloads or cd-ripping efforts are automatically placed straight onto the NAS, and I found that streaming from FreeNAS over a wireless network works fine. I even stream movies from it using iTunes. My NAS is connected to my router with an ethernet cable, and both are hidden away in an unused kitchen cupboard.

Having worked with manufactured and complete NAS's such as ReadyNAS, I have to say that in my personal opinion creating your own from an old PC is far superior in performance (and cheaper) though I likely consume more electricity then people who are using a manufactured NAS.

[aubuti]

Having worked with manufactured and complete NAS's such as ReadyNAS, I have to say that in my personal opinion creating your own from an old PC is far superior in performance (and cheaper) though I likely consume more electricity then people who are using a manufactured NAS.

Although manufactured NASs aren't necessarily better on energy consumption. The NASs I used in the past each drew 14w, but neither had ACPI power management (suspend, hibernate, etc.) and neither supported Wake-on-LAN. So it was 14w x 24/7. Some NASs do ACPI and WOL, but many don't.

The headless pc that replaced them draws 23w when running, but can be set to go into suspend mode automatically after X minutes of SB inactivity, and only draw 3w in suspend state. When it's time to listen again the SB sends a WOL packet and the server is back up and running in 2-3 seconds. So the total energy draw is less as long as the pc is idle a good bit of the time.

[AnthonioBEL]

That's true.

Besides, I have it set up in the BIOS so it boots every day at 4PM (Which is a bit before I arrive home from work) and it shuts down automatically after bed-time 11PM (On work-days) through the FreeNAS settings, so it's using even less power in my case being switched off half the time.

[RonM]

If low power consumption is an objective, there are several very low-power devices available that work well with LMS and the Squeezeboxen. You pay for it though.

I use a FitPC2 (http://www.fit-pc.com/web/). It's been on 24/7 most of the time for more than two years with no problems at all. I shut it off when I'm away for extended periods, and reboot from time to time out of general principle.

I run it headless, through ethernet (it has wifi, but I've not turned on this function). I bought a diskless version and then installed a 500gb laptop drive, and XP. I could keep the library on an external drive, but have chosen for the time being to keep it right on the installed internal drive (still have a bit of room).

This is not the cheapest solution, but it is attractive for several reasons:

- extremely compact size (think cigarette package)
- very low power consumption (5 to 7 watts even under load)
- Excellent build quality
- more than adequate horsepower for the single-purpose application it's being used for
- Completely silent (no fan, the case is a heatsink)
- Since it's on the network, I can use dbpoweramp to rip flacs to the active music folder on the Fit, as well as to my "main backup" location, an external drive connected to my primary computer. As an aside, I also have dbP rip a lossy file at the same time as the flacs, used for my portable devices.

From my point of view, the incremental cost has been more than recovered through ease of use and convenience of location (it sits underneath my main monitor). Amortized over even a three-year span, the price looks very good.

Ron

[Pascal Hibon]

My vote also goes out to a ReadyNAS device. Look at the ULTRA series as suggested by virgiliomi. These NAS’es have plenty of CPU power and are loaded with professional features.They are built like a tank and it is easily tweaked for low power consumption. Unlike with Windows computers, you don’t have to install service packs and OS updates every week or so. A ReadyNAS is a set it up and forget kind of solution. If I needed to do it all over again, I would also choose the same route I did.