Getting iTunes Setup on ReadyNAS Duo

[jfpearsonjrmd]

I am writing this because of the frustration I experience when trying to get iTunes working with the ReadyNAS duo - and being able to see the iTunes playlists. After readying too many forum threads and countless hours of troubleshooting, I finally figure this out. Hopefully, this will help others:

1. My environment:

Windows 7 x64
Squeezebox Server version 7.6.1
iTunes desktop version 10.4.1.10
OS: Netgear RAIDiator – EN – utf8
ReadyNAS Firmware: RAIDiator 4.1.7
ReadyNAS iTunes Plugin installed

2. Setup

a. ReadyNAS

Create an iTunes folder structure on the ReadyNAS duo that matches the iTunes folder structure on your PC. The easiest way is to simply copy the iTunes folder from your PC to the ReadyNas.

On my ReadyNAS duo I have the following folders that I copied from my PC:

\\NAS-72-25-42\media\Music\iTunes
\\NAS-72-25-42\media\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music
\\NAS-72-25-42\media\Music\iTunes\Album Artwork

Note 1: The “\\NAS-72-25-42\media\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music” folder contains all of my music files.

The “\\NAS-72-25-42\media\Music\iTunes” folder should also have the following files:

infobrowser.ompl
iTunes Library Extras
iTunes Library Genius
iTunes Library
iTunes Music Library

Note 2: the “Extra,” “Genius,” and “Library” files make-up the iTunes Database files
Note 3: the “iTunes Music Library” file is an XML that contains your playlists and pointers to all of your music.

b. ReadyNAS Frontview

Share List: I created a share to the “media” folder with CIFS read/write access.
Streaming Services: I have “SqueezeCenter” and “iTunes Streaming Server” options checked.

c. iTunes Desktop

1) On the Preferences, Advanced tab, set the iTunes Media folder location to your ReadyNAS iTunes music folder. Mine is: \\NAS-72-25-42\media\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music

I have both the “Keep iTunes Media folder organized” and “Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library” options checked.

2) Export your “iTunes Music Library.xml” library file to wherever you copied it to on the ReadyNAS duo, overwriting the exiting file.

Note 4: if you are prompted, allow iTunes to “Organize” your music.

3) Copy the updated “iTunes Library Extras” and “iTunes Library” files from the PC to the ReadyNAS duo overwriting the existing files. This is because the Library XML file and the iTunes database file pointers have all been updated with ReadyNAS duo file pointers and no longer reference your PC file system.

d. ReadyNAS duo iTunes Plugin

Make sure you have the iTunes plugin installed. If necessary, go to the “Settings,” “Plugins” tab and check “iTunes (v1.0) and follow the prompts.

On the “Settings” page iTunes tab make sure:

“Use iTunes” is checked

In the “iTunes Music Library.xml Location” option, select the “iTunes Music Library.xml” file. On my ReadyNAS it is: /media/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music Library.xml

Note 5: You MUST select the file and not simply the folder location.

Next, set the “iTunes Media Folder” option. I used: “/media/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music”

3. In Closing:

1) I had to do a factor reset of my Squeezbox receiver in order for it to find my Squeezebox Server.
2) You will definitely have to rescan your music library. I used the “Clear library and rescan everything” option. When it finished, I had playlists, artwork, and “everything” from my PC.

Lastly, if others want to chime in on this please do. This worked for me; I hope it works for you.

[Carmad]

Hi.
Btw, I using radiator 4.1.8, readynas duo v1 (I think - it says V2 on the bottom, but V1 software on it) & itunes 10.6.0.40 on windows 7 ultimate.

I have tried following your guide, but there is a few points which are unclear.

1. I dont have the file: "infobrowser.ompl" (in my itunes folder)
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2. "2) Export your “iTunes Music Library.xml” library file to wherever you copied it to on the ReadyNAS duo, overwriting the exiting file." - how do you export this file - i cant find the option anywhere.
----
3. This I don't get:

d. ReadyNAS duo iTunes Plugin
Make sure you have the iTunes plugin installed. If necessary, go to the “Settings,” “Plugins” tab and check “iTunes (v1.0) and follow the prompts. (I have checked the plugin - but I dont have a settings/plugin tab - only a services/installed plugins (no itunes here) and "Services-streaming services" - where I have enabled itunes.


This I cannot find anywhere:
On the “Settings” page iTunes tab make sure:

“Use iTunes” is checked

In the “iTunes Music Library.xml Location” option, select the “iTunes Music Library.xml” file. On my ReadyNAS it is: /media/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music Library.xml

Note 5: You MUST select the file and not simply the folder location.


Could you please clarify - it would be great to get this working (and not only as a streaming server in itunes).

[devilsrear]

I seem to be missing something on this thread

Hi I use iTunes on my Readynas Duo and laptop

1. Install Itunes on laptop
2. place all music on readynas
3. in itunes simply add folders and pick up the folders from the readynas location

This works well -all music is on the readynas and is accessible via itunes on my laptop (tv/phone via dlna)

[tirohn]

Hi there
I'm relatively new to this forum and just wanted to try out this firefly feature. It didn't work, every time I tried it started the server, started to scan (I have about 90 GB of music loaded) but then suddenly the server was not reachable anymore. I then tried to restart it and hit the remove button (meaning that the settings will be removed) but now I don't have the Plugin anymore. I have a ReadyNAS DUO V1 (with RADiator 4.1.8 installed) and already tried to install the latest server adding (http://www.readynas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=58261), but I still miss it in the FrontView GUI. Can anybody please help me??
Thanks in advance
Martin

[mdgm]

The add-on you installed is an update add-on (which is included in 4.1.9 beta btw: http://www.readynas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=59222). It doesn't contain the GUI for the add-on, just the necessary files to patch an existing installation. To get Firefly back if you've removed it you'll need to do an OS/firmware re-install:

Try the steps on pg15 here: http://www.readynas.com/download/docume ... 6Dec11.pdf

[tirohn]

Hi mdgm
Thank you for the response. Just have one question, though: does the OS re-install harm any of my files I have on this NAS?

Thank you and regards
Martin

[StephenB]

OS reinstall shouldn't harm your existing files. As always, if you do not have a current backup you are skating on thin ice.

[mdgm]

does the OS re-install harm any of my files I have on this NAS?

No. An OS Re-install leaves data intact. Don't confuse it with a factory default.

[sjs-nasduo]

I have successfully got my iTunes on my PC talking to my Firefly iTunes server on the ReadyNas Duo - needed to upgrade the Firefly add-on to v1.0.3 (as mentioned elsewhere in this forum - thanks) in order to get it to work with the iTunes 10.6.1.7 client on my PC.
My next challenge is to get my iPhone and the wife's iPad to be able to see the Firefly iTunes Server - can anyone please advise if this is possible and how it can be achieved if it is?

As a slight aside...
...I have enabled Home Sharing on the iTunes PC clients and the iPhone and iPad can see these in it's own Sharing menu and can play music from those libraries, however the PC has to be turned on and iTunes has to be running for this library to be available on the iPhone/iPad. I would really like to be able for the iPhone and iPad to be able to see and play music/media directly from the ReadyNAS, via Firefly, so I don't have to have the PC switched on and in iTunes all the time.

Thanks in anticipation...

[techman05]

I'm sure it just got forgotten but there is a post for the itunes server at http://www.readynas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=58261 and regardless of version naming it is the same as in the beta as far as I've asked many times.

I would think theres an itune'ish app that would allow connection like on itunes. For all thoughts aside doesn't having an ipod allow you to use apple cloud to sink all your media between devices depending on how much is apple purchase that may be an alternative option to itunes server if it doesn't work for you.


Hope this helps