New owner: Duet & Linkstation Pro NAS - SlimServer or SqueezeCenter?

[baroquedub]

I've got a Duet on its way from Amazon and wanted to get things ready for when it arrives in a few days...

I specifically want to install the server software on my Buffalo LS-1000GL, a terabyte LinkStation Pro NAS (Firmware 1.15) so that I can play music when my computer's off. (I don't want to use the MP3tunes music locker service)

So -

I've read Mark Field's 'Installing SlimServer on a LinkStation' [http://fieldnetworks.com/slim/linkstation.html] and am positive I can handle the instructions. (Although should I worry that they're a couple of years old?)

I've also read through Farallon's 'Step-by-step Installation of SqueezeCenter 7 on a LinkStation Pro' [http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46005] and am pretty sure I wouldn't have a chance in hell of getting past the first few phases without bricking my linkstation :\

??? My question is... what are the advantages of running SqueezeCenter? Will the Duet work if I install SlimServer 6.1.1? What features will I miss out on? (I can live without internet radio as long as I can stream my own music files)

Any help or advice would be much appreciated

[aubuti]

The Duet requires SqueezeCenter 7.x -- it simply will not work with slimserver 6.x.

Installing SC7.x is definitely more complicated than 6.x, but the risk of bricking it is no greater. The process of flashing the firmware is essentially the same, but make sure you use the right version of FreeLink!!

[baroquedub]

Cheers Aubuti. Thanks for the prompt reply - and saving me a whole lot of trouble for nothing...

As an ex av technician currently working as a multimedia developer I'd consider myself fairly tech savvy but that tutorial of Farallon's is way out of my league... Anybody got any clearer (fail safe) instructions?

Or should I just go out and splash out on a QNAP TS-109 with pre-installed SqueezeCenter ? [http://www.qnapstore.co.uk/index.php...d&productId=47] I wish!...

? Or are there any London-based Linux experts willing to take this job on for a few bob?

[aubuti]

I ended up working out a variation on farallon's approach for LSPro using the tar.gz files, but I couldn't write it up, and I'm sure it's not an easier.

I suggest you broaden your search to get beyond what is labeled a NAS and look at many of the low-powered PC solutions. The DIY and 3rd party forums have a lot of examples. I toyed with building a mini-itx system with a VIA EPIA processor (like the one described at http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36430 and http://www.ulverston.myzen.co.uk/mini-itx/index.htm), but ended up going with an MSI Wind Barebones system (see http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=51672). There are a lot of systems out there that offer more flexibility and power than a standard NAS, often with lower power consumption. And it sounds like you have the technical abilities to build something to your liking.

[baroquedub]

Good thinking batman! That's very helpful. Thanks again Aubuti