How To Build a SqueezeCenter Server with FreeNAS and a T5700

[vnangia]

Thanks for the article!

I almost wish there was a Wiki to gather such knowledge around these parts - the FreeNAS kb is far from satisfactory in this regard.

One nice little device that I have is a Chumby, which has a built in SlimServer client. Given my NAS is perpetually on, and my primary computer is not, this seems to be a good way to share my tunes!

[mgraves]

Absolutely! Given soft clients for SqueezeCenter I really didn't want to shut down my server. But I didn't want a 600 watt power hog running 24/7 and throwing off unnecessary noise & heat.

The recycled thin client is ideal for this sort of situation. I have all my music backed up to a 750 GB HD in a USB enclosure. I only keep the one-third that we actually listen to on the T5700.

BTW, thanks to Tim for accepting this from me. It was a kinda spur-of-the-moment idea to document something that I had already done.

Michael

[mgraves]

Also, the Slim Devices wiki is not bad.

[vnangia]

By the way, one thing I must mention is that your instructions to install SlimNAS actually work. If you follow the instructions on Mike Herger's website (http://www.herger.net/slim/detail.php?nr=1026), it never works because he forgets to mention that: (a) the current version of SlimServer is 7.0.x, not 7.1, so the script right at the top which he encourages you to download dies; and, (b) he neglects to mention that if you download one of the tarballs at the top of the page, you have to rename it. The first three times, I failed trying to get it installed because of these two glitches; your instructions worked like a charm so thanks!

Thanks also for introducing me to this T5xxx series. I had no idea they existed, and had I known about this sooner, I would have likely built a couple of specialized devices using these... an Asterisk server comes diabolically to mind...

[mgraves]

Yes, what you say is true. It's also the reason that I decided to stay with the v7.0 release for now. The install process seemed cleaner and I could not see any major benefits to v7.1.

As to the T5700s, I have one in service running Astlinux. It replaced the Soekris Net4801 mentioned here:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/24210/82/

The big advantage was the faster CPU. The let me make greater use of G.729a and so make more efficient use of my bandwidth using ITSPs.

[vnangia]

<snip>
As to the T5700s, I have one in service running Astlinux. It replaced the Soekris Net4801 mentioned here:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/24210/82/

The big advantage was the faster CPU. The let me make greater use of G.729a and so make more efficient use of my bandwidth using ITSPs.

Do I smell an article in the making? :) This would be a nice guide...

[mgraves]

Tim has expressed an interest in revisiting the topic. I've been holding off pending some compelling reason to do so.

There's a brand new release of Astlinux that's been two years in the works just about to drop. Kristian issued a pre-release image last week. It's very different than previous release, on an entirely new Runnix foundation.

Then there's Askozia which uses the m0n0wall OS & GUI. Less flexible but maybe easier to get running.

Maybe something I can do eventually. Time is the issue.

Michael

[mgraves]

I just tried a little test in response to some questions about how the unit might perform with more RAM. I had a 1 GB SODIMM of PC2700 (DDR-333) on hand so I tried that in place of the stock 256 MB of DDR-266.

It doesn't boot at all. It seems that the BIOS can't handle more than 512 MB of RAM. I'll get a 512 MB stick and try that tomorrow.

[Unregistered]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Just got hold of a cheap HP T7520 and will make it my dedicated musicserver instead of my DLink DNS-323.

[mgraves]

By default FreeNAS does not use disk as virtual memory. If you find your system is memory constrained, perhaps because of a large library of music, you can enable the use of swap disk.

This is done in the FreeNAS menus by selecting SYSTEM, ADVANCED, SWAP. Enable swap file and select an amount of space to that purpose, then reboot.

[mgraves]

Yesterday I did something stupid and hosed my T5700 installation. Physically removed power while it was streaming. Actually, I realized what I had done and restored power in just 2-3 seconds, but it was too late. The drive had been damaged.

My only recourse was a rebuild from scratch, which only took an hour...plus time to copy music files again.

Since I was back inside the little box I tried to put a 512 MB PC2700 SODIMM in place. But I found that the unit still would not boot. I'm not entirely certain why. I had been to Fry's and picked up the RAM even though I'd ordered some for the T5700 from an online vendor.

I'll try that RAM when it arrives. Until then I have swapping enabled, and assigned 256 MB of swap space. It doesn't seem to be using any yet.

[mgraves]

OK, so the new RAM arrived from ZipZoomFly via Fedex. It's Corsair Value select DDR1, 512 MB, 266 MHz, PC2100. The T5700 likes it just fine. It was $25 plus a little for 2 day shipping.

OTOH, it does not like DDR1 PC2700 333 MHz from Patriot. That goes back to Fry's.

[Unregistered]

I am not getting the menu to install to hard drive. What do I have to do to get that?

Otherwise, the system works perfectly, but only from CD-ROM.

[rossp]

interesting thread - thanks for the write up. I am looking at how best to serve to my squeezebox and have NAS functionality integrated without having a PC on if possible.

One question: putting aside discussion of the merits of Linux v windows, could this be done by keeping the embedded XP OS and adding storage via the existing usb ports. I assume that could work as network storage by sharing the drives on the network, but would that then let you install the slimserver software?

Just a question as I'm a lot more familiar with windows and I would probably prefer to use a windoze based platform than linux if I can....

thanks

[Unregistered]

In the article you state the USB ports on the T5700s are only USB1.1 but the HP spec says 4 x USB2.0 ports.

Are the ports actually only 1.1?

[Unregistered]

How does one get the flash memory out to swap it for a hdd. It looks like there is a plastic pin holding it in. Do you have to take the MB out first to try to get the white plastic pin off? I don't want to force it and break it!
Thanks
James

[mgraves]

No, you should be able to squeeze the locking tip of the plastic pin with needlenose pliers. I just abused it a little and it popped right out. I never had to remove the motherboard.

[mgraves]

In the article you state the USB ports on the T5700s are only USB1.1 but the HP spec says 4 x USB2.0 ports.

Are the ports actually only 1.1?
It depends upon the exact model that you have. My older T5700s are definitely USB1.1. You can tell if you every try to use them with an external USB attached hard drive. VERY slow. Later models are known to be USB 2.0.

[Osamede]

Can anyone recomment a similar slim fanless PC - but with Gigabit ethernet and USB 2 full speed - that can be used to do the same thing as this (squeezecenter on FreeNAS)? I would need to serve videos for a PopcornHour on the unit, so would like more bandwith.

[Osamede]

Not to worry - found a couple.

[Unregistered]

Not to worry - found a couple.

Do tell...

[Unregistered - matt]

Hey guys, in the uk does anyone know where to get the 42 pin ide cable for t5700... ?? im having a mere trying to get one as my t5700 does have one inside...

please reply to mpearce@rudderdesigns.co.uk

thank you for your help

[Unregistered]

Thanks for a great article. I'm weighing up this option versus an new Acer Revo/Asus Eee box or similar.

How do you find the performance of Squeezecenter, compared to your old server? And did the extra RAM help?

[Unregistered]

I thought this was a great post - it inspired me to write my own post about building a Squeezebox Server for less than $100. Take a look, if you're interested. Here is the link: http://www.crazyhawt.com/2009/11/23/howto-building-a-squeezebox-server-for-under-100-yes-it-can-be-done/

[Unregistered]

> Hello. I have hp compaq t5500 terminal. I'm doing everything exactly as in the article "http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/nas/nas-howto/30522-how-to-build-a-squeezecenter-server-with-freenas-and-a-t5700" (installing the same version of freenas and slimserver). In the and of install the squeezeserver show me the messsage "Status - failed - SqueezeCenter is not available. Please note that it might take a minute or more for the service to be available after a restart. Please refresh this page to check the status again." In the slimnas version 2.0.1 I can't enter to Squuezecenter - message (Warning: require(auth.inc): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /usr/local/www/services_slimserver.php on line 3 Fatal error: require(): Failed opening required 'auth.inc' (include_path='.:/etc/inc:/usr/local/www') in /usr/local/www/services_slimserver.php on line 3 ). And in the 1.3.0. version of slimnas the message is "Status - Starting - SqueezeCenter is starting but not yet ready. Please check again in a bit...".Testing on squeezeserver version 5.4.1, 6.5.4, 7.0.1. The newer vesion of freenas won't install. On the "normal" computer (pentium dual core, geforce 9 etc) and the last version of freenas everything is great. So wher
e is the problem? Any idea? Is the 128 MB RAM can be the reason? Please answer.

[mgraves]

I think that 128 MB is not enough memory to run both FreeNAS and SqueezeCenter. My T5700 has 512 MB and runs fine. I started with 256 MB and it ran in that, but not well.

[Unregistered]

Thank's so much. I will buy 256 or 512 memory and check this. Thank's one more time

[mgraves]

The T5700 that I used was a bit vintage. As a result it's BIOS would only support 512 MB of memory. I tried 1GB and 2 GB DIMMs as I had them on hand, but neither would work. It just wouldn't POST.

I ordered a 512 MB DIMM from an online vendor and that work fine when it arrived a couple of days later.

[Unregistered]

One more thing. What kind of memory you have got - 266 or 333 Mhz? I don't know is the terminal detect both kind of memory?

[Unregistered]

By the way. What version of freenas do you have installed on t5700 ? On my t5500 I can't run freenas 0.69, 0.7, and latest - when starting the message is "ACPI AUTOLOAD FAILED - INPUT OUTPUT ERROR". Only version 0.68x works fine. Anyone have a suggestions?

[Unregistered]

Once again me. I bought 256 MB ram and something happened. Squeezecenter started :) but there is a one little problem. I can't listem aac+ radio stations. Squeezecenter is 7.3.3 version ( that is the last newest working version). In windows there is no problem. Everything works perfect. So what am i need to do? One idea is to install plugin aac+. I looked here http://forums.slimdevices.com/showpost.php?p=272774&postcount=19, copy plugin and in squuezecenter/file types i've got inactive aac+. I dont know how to install mplayer. Please help

[Unregistered]

Again me. Now I have 512 MB RAM and I can install newer freenas, slimnas 2.0.1 and squeezeboxserver 7.4.1. But after all install I have status " Squeezebox Server is starting but not ready yet. Please check again in a bit... (Update status)". When I click "Update status" I have status "Squeezebox Server is not available. Please note that it might take a minute or more for the service to be available after a restart. Please refresh this page to check the status again. (Update status)" Please help.
PS. What version of squeezeboxserver i must install - cpan or nocpan because in manual there is write to install nocpan, but when i copy nocpan to install directory freenas can't see this file - cpan version is seeing.

[Unregistered]

Ok. So trouble was too small disk - i instaled greater and it works. I've a one more little problem. Frenas and squeezeboxserver are on one disk. But mp3 files(music folder) i have on pendrive. When i disconnect pendrive and connect once again squeezebox can't see music folder. I must manual mount pendrive and then it's ok. Is there a something like "automount" to simply this process?