Synology and setting up media content...

[PJ1200]

|( Help!!!

Following on from Chisy's thread I have also purchased a DS212j NAS and 2x 2TB HDs.

HDs installed = check

Synology software installed = check

Volumes created = check

I then thought it best to copy across all my music (via my iTunes folder) and photos to the NAS (volume 1). I set up two files within the NAS - 'Music' and 'Photos' (for obvious reasons!).

This transfer, via wifi, has just finished and I was hoping to get the drive up and running fairly easily. The User Guide tells you to just open up 'Media Server', 'iTunes', 'Audio Station' and 'Photo Station' and basically enable each one.

This, in theory, should enable me to use the NAS as intended - so I can see it as a shared device within iTunes, play music via Audio Station and also see photos via Photo Station.

Problem is, neither 'Media Server' or 'iTunes' will stay 'enabled'. If I tick the boxes and click 'OK' the NAS saves the settings (supposedly) and then unclicks them. So I'm left with wondering whether either options have been enabled.

To make matters worse if I open Audio Station I can not see ANY of my music files which I've spent 2 days transferring across!

If I try to open Photo Station, a new browser window opens up with the following:

"SQLSTATE[08006] [7] could not connect to server: No such file or directory Is the server running locally and accepting connections on Unix domain socket "/tmp/.s.PGSQL.5432"?"

Any ideas what is going on? I'm slowly going mad!!!!!

Cheers

PJ

 

[Chisy1]

Sorry to hear this...there's every chance a forum member will be able to help bu if not this may be needed

http://www.synology.com/support/support_form.php

 

[AnotherJoe]

Having a quick read of the user manual online, I think page 106 might be useful

"Go to Main Menu > Control Panel > Audio Station to enable Audio Station. After it is enabled, the music
shared folder will be created automatically to contain your Audio Station data."

Chapter 7 - Setting up file sharding (page 48) and then setting up shared folders (page 57) may also be useful.

It suggests when you enable Audiostation - it automatically creates a shared folder called Music. You may need to move all your music into this folder, and tell it to re-index.

(I'm only guessing - its hard to give advice on a NAS I dont have).

 

[PJ1200]

Having a quick read of the user manual online, I think page 106 might be useful

"Go to Main Menu > Control Panel > Audio Station to enable Audio Station. After it is enabled, the music
shared folder will be created automatically to contain your Audio Station data."

Chapter 7 - Setting up file sharding (page 48) and then setting up shared folders (page 57) may also be useful.

It suggests when you enable Audiostation - it automatically creates a shared folder called Music. You may need to move all your music into this folder, and tell it to re-index.

(I'm only guessing - its hard to give advice on a NAS I dont have).

Thanks chaps

Firstly, I only appear to have created one volume (volume 1), which I think may cause problems in relation to backing up (I want to back up/mirror one HD to another - which I believe is RAID 1?)

Having read a bit more of the manual (I have been reading this, but find it a bit sparce on explanations of things) I may need to set up a 'disc group' first then create two separate volumes...

Anyway; after copying across both my photos (to the 'Photos' folder I created) and the music (to the 'Music' folder I created) I then proceeded to turn everything on.

I basically started with them in order as they are set out in the control panel, so I opened Media Sharing and ticked the 'enable' box on that, then the iTunes, then the Audio Station and lastly the Photo Station. All have options to 'enable' that part of the DSM software.

Problem is, the first two (Media and iTunes) don't stay 'ticked'! I wonder if they have enabled, because on opening iTunes the folder I created on the DS does come up under the 'Shared Devices' section on the left pane.

As far as folders are concerned, the DS created two 'home' folders, a separate 'photo' folder and a further 'video' folder (in addition to the 'Photos' and 'Music' folders I had). No extra 'music' (note the lower case the DS uses) was created. I tried moving one of my photos folders to the 'photo' folder created in the hope that it just needed the files moving, but when I try to launch Photo Station I get the above message - which means nothing to me!!

I have a feeling I might have to delete the volume, and start all over again. Firstly to create a Disc Group and then two separate volumes (so I can do RAID 1) and then enable all the services I want before transferring the files/data across.

It really is a rather cumbersome and difficult task all this. I am not an IT Novice, but I admit talk of IP addresses, LUNs, etc etc are beyond me!!

I'd appreciate any help given. I've read the manual in parts, but as I say I don't think it is particularly helpful for anyone who isn't a Network Specialist!!

Cheers

PJ

 

[Chisy1]

I created only one volume but I believe I still have a raid protection...if you go to storage manager do you see something like this

http://www.synology.com/us/products/features/RAID.php

note it says "synology Hybrid Raid with data protection of 1 disk fault". Both my HDDs are showing something like 1.8TBs remaining, so I am assuming that what is on disk 1 is on disk 2.

When i was formatting the HDDs at the set up stage the DSM asked if I wanted to create a synology hybrid raid and I said yes, do you recall doing something similar.

I wonder why iTunes is recognising your shared folder and mine isn't...I have no doubt that after the issues we're having have been resolved that it will all have been worthwhile.

 

[PJ1200]

I created only one volume but I believe I still have a raid protection...if you go to storage manager do you see something like this

http://www.synology.com/us/products/features/RAID.php

note it says "synology Hybrid Raid with data protection of 1 disk fault". Both my HDDs are showing something like 1.8TBs remaining, so I am assuming that what is on disk 1 is on disk 2.

When i was formatting the HDDs at the set up stage the DSM asked if I wanted to create a synology hybrid raid and I said yes, do you recall doing something similar.

I wonder why iTunes is recognising your shared folder and mine isn't...I have no doubt that after the issues we're having have been resolved that it will all have been worthwhile.

Cheers Chisy - hopefully between us, and a few other helpful souls on here, we'll have this cracked.

I've looked at the link and yes, from memory, mine looks like that. Although I DO NOT have a second volume and I don't believe I had the option to create one either - the button was greyed out!

As for the Disk Space you refer to, is that the remaining disk space or the total disk space? I know although they are 2TB drives, once formatted you have a bit less, but not sure whether the Disk Space refers to the total space or just the available space?

It is odd that I can see the shared device in iTunes too... especially as when I open up the iTunes application with the DSM, the box is not ticked!!

One other point - have you managed to point your iTunes to the NAS? I also tried that last night, going into Preferences/Advanced and trying to change it. But whilst the NAS was under the 'Network Places' in the browser box, I couldn't select it.... thoughts??

 

[PJ1200]

When i was formatting the HDDs at the set up stage the DSM asked if I wanted to create a synology hybrid raid and I said yes, do you recall doing something similar.

I can't remember specifically, but I certainly agreed to all the recommended options when I was setting things up.

Also, looking at your link, I find myself only understanding about 15% of the stuff written!!!!

 

[Haggy792]

Welcome to the world of the NAS drive.

If you only have one volume set up you are not on RAID1 and you will loose all data when you reformat, it's OK I did the same

You'll know if its a single drive as it will say that you have say 3G of free space as opposed to say 2 x 1.5G.

Have fun!

 

[AnotherJoe]

Did you run the setup disk that came with the NAS on your pc ?

This normally walks you through the process.

 

[PJ1200]

I did use the CD, yes. I downloaded the most uptodate software via the Synology website (as the on on the disc was out of date).

During this set up (from memory) I had to disable my firewall to allow the NAS to attach to my router, I then attached to the NAS, formatted and set up the HDs and created one volume, using the Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) (as described by Chisy above).

I believe the issue might be something to do with shared folders etc, but I can't be certain.

Refering to this: http://www.synology.com/tutorials/how_to_intranet.php?lang=enu#t3_2

2.2 - shows you how to create shared folders. This is where (I'm pretty sure) I created my 'Photos' and 'Music' folders (giving them descriptions also). These are both attached to Volume 1

I only have an 'admin' account and 'guest' (which I believe is disabled) as refered to under 2.2.4

2.3 - refers to setting up user accounts and is possibly where I may have problems (although I can't tell you why!!)

I think it might be because I only have an 'admin' user. Perhaps I need to set up additional users (so one for me and one for my wife) and assign them to specific 'groups' (so I would be in the 'admin group' and I'd have my wife as a 'user group', or something like that??)

3.1 - you will note from the screenshots here that on the left pane, there are the following files that I have currently on my DS, which were set up when I tried to enable the various applications:

'home'

'homes'

'photo'

I also have folders that I have set up:

'Photos'

'Music'

3.2 - shows you how to map to drives within the internet on Windows.

I am assuming this would refer to accessing the music folder from iTunes? Currently I do not have a folder to 'point to' so iTunes can access/store music that I rip/download (I don't want to use my PC's HD for this any longer).

So if I assign a drive to a NAS folder, this should allow iTunes to access it??

Do I need to worry about the username and password??

I haven't even began to understand the set up of the internet via the 'EZ Internet' tool!!!!

 

[AnotherJoe]

The admin user should be all you need. Just make sure 'allow everyone modify' is selected for the shares.

I wouldnt bother assigning user names or groups for different directories.

I do think you shouldnt create the music,video,photo directories manually - do as the manual says. It sounds like it may install some system data as well as creating the shares.

Steps you need to do

- Format the drive(s)

- Turn on the FileServers - HTTP/FTP/SMB/CIFS/AFP/NFS/WEBDAV (you make as well enable all of them)

- Enable the media servers (PhotoStation, AudioStation, DLNA Media Server,ItunesService). This will create the default shares

- Create any other shares you want.

- Setup access privileges for the shares - Usually just select allow everyone modify, all devices.

- Copy your media over.

 

[PJ1200]

The admin user should be all you need. Just make sure 'allow everyone modify' is selected for the shares.

I wouldnt bother assigning user names or groups for different directories.

I do think you shouldnt create the music,video,photo directories manually - do as the manual says. It sounds like it may install some system data as well as creating the shares.

Steps you need to do

- Format the drive(s)

- Turn on the FileServers - HTTP/FTP/SMB/CIFS/AFP/NFS/WEBDAV (you make as well enable all of them)

- Enable the media servers (PhotoStation, AudioStation, DLNA Media Server,ItunesService). This will create the default shares

- Create any other shares you want.

- Setup access privileges for the shares - Usually just select allow everyone modify, all devices.

- Copy your media over.

Cheers sir.

Tonight I will remove 'volume 1' and reformat before attempting to create RAID 1 then I will turn on all the file sharing, audio and phot station etc and see if those options actually stay enabled. Then begin some file transfer.

Wish me luck!!

 

[Chisy1]

As regards only having one volume I have just checked my storage manager and it says

Synology hybrid raid with data protection of one disk fault tolerance

Capacity 1.79 TB

used 89.47 GB

Available 1.70 TB

Used 4.89%

disk 1 size 1.82 TB

disk 2 size 1.82 TB

Surely all this info means the disks are mirroring each other, despite there being only one volume...or am I missing something?. I'm concerned with the comment above about not having raid if there's only one volume.

Thanks

 

[Chisy1]

As regards only having one volume I have just checked my storage manager and it says

Synology hybrid raid with data protection of one disk fault tolerance

Capacity 1.79 TB

used 89.47 GB

Available 1.70 TB

Used 4.89%

disk 1 size 1.82 TB

disk 2 size 1.82 TB

Surely all this info means the disks are mirroring each other, despite there being only one volume...or am I missing something?. I'm concerned with the comment above about not having raid if there's only one volume.

Thanks

 

[Chisy1]

As regards only having one volume I have just checked my storage manager and it says

Synology hybrid raid with data protection of one disk fault tolerance

Capacity 1.79 TB

used 89.47 GB

Available 1.70 TB

Used 4.89%

disk 1 size 1.82 TB

disk 2 size 1.82 TB

Surely all this info means the disks are mirroring each other, despite there being only one volume...or am I missing something?. I'm concerned with the comment above about not having raid if there's only one volume.

Thanks

 

[Chisy1]

Whoops...not sure how that posted 3 times...mods please delete duplicates

 

[PJ1200]

As regards only having one volume I have just checked my storage manager and it says

Synology hybrid raid with data protection of one disk fault tolerance

Capacity 1.79 TB

used 89.47 GB

Available 1.70 TB

Used 4.89%

disk 1 size 1.82 TB

disk 2 size 1.82 TB

Surely all this info means the disks are mirroring each other, despite there being only one volume...or am I missing something?. I'm concerned with the comment above about not having raid if there's only one volume.

Thanks

I would suggest so, yes. I have just removed my volume and started from scratch :doh:

I decided to leave the SHR option and go for a RAID setup (although I'll be honest, I don't know what the difference is!!) This is using both discs in one volume again, both with 1.82TBs.

Type says 'RAID 1 (with data protection)'

Status is currently 'Creating (Re-synchronizing 41.67%' (and counting.....slowly!)

After that, I'm just going to try and enable all the relevant server options and applications so that the NAS sets up the relevant shared folders. Then, hopefully, I should be able to see my music/photos once I start pulling them across.

If I don't..... well I'm totally stuck and will probably have to get an expert in to sort it all out... at no doubt considerable cost!

 

[AnotherJoe]

Yes - it is saying that your device is mirrored. Tolerance of 1 disk means u can afford 1 disk to fail without losing data.

Hybrid raid is used so that u can start with 1 disk (no backup), then upgrade to 2 disks (1 used as backup) on the fly - without having to reformat the raid.

If you had a 4 bay NAS, you could increase the drives from 2 to 3/4 and the raid would change from raid 1 to raid 5. Again its so you increase the number of drives gradually.

 

[Mr Steve]

I have a 4 bay Synology with 3 x 2TB drives (one recently added, which is another story) set up to Synology Hybrid Raid (SHR). It still shows all 3 drives combined into one volume (which is how I set it up) and as I understand it, the RAID data protection / duplication is automatically applied within this one volume.

If one drive fails, just replace it and the system rebuilds the data onto the replacement HDD (which i understand can take a day or two depending on the amount of data involved). I have also attached external HDD through both the esata and USB ports for external backup of the data on the NAS, which all seems to work fine, although I have never had to do a restore (the external HDD are formatted by the NAS to Ext2/Ext3 if I remember correctly, so not easily directly accessible from Windows.

I have just had to replace my modem/router so am busy reconfiguring all the peripherals to accommodate the new router IP addressing and also dealing with isues by one user in accessing the NAS - hopefully I will have it all sorted tomorrow.

Sorry I have no idea what your "SQL" error message is about, but can confirm that when I set up my NAS the photo, music and video folders were all automatically created, along with the home and homes folders. One of these home folders (I don't recall exactly which one offhand) sets up sub-folders for each user created (except admin) and you can allocate specific space for each user in their sub-folder.

Hope you solve the issue soon, but post to the Sinology forum if you are not successful.

Steve

 

[PJ1200]

Thanks Steve for taking the time to reply.

Did you set the NAS up and enable the relevant applications (that subsequently set up the folders you mention) before pulling data across?

 

[Mr Steve]

As far as I can recall, I went through all the setup /configuration option (or those I could find & understand ) before bringing the data off the pc

 

[PJ1200]

Right!

It would appear, currently, like the NAS is working as intended.

I started my re-format last night and configuration to RAID 1. This was left overnight and I checked this morning, with formatting completed.

I then went to the various applications (Media Server, iTunes, Audio Station, Photo Station) and 'enabled' each one. They all worked and, more importantly, all stayed ticked/enabled. I then checked the file browser and had three files - 'music', 'photo' and 'video'.

When I open Audio Station, I can see the relevant options on the left (i.e. Album/Artist etc) and I can also open Photo Station without the previous error.

I've now set the NAS to upload my iTunes/iTunes Media/Music folder (and Podcast folder) to the 'music' folder on the NAS. I've left it to it today.

So, hopefully, everything should start to come together. BUT, big tip (which I'm sure is not explicit within the user guide) - make sure you set the NAS up first, enable all the relevant options you want BEFORE uploading any data... it mucks up all the system paths etc and it won't work!!

Cheers for everyone's input/help. Let's hope it comes together!

 

[Chisy1]

Hi PJ1200

Great to hear you've got your issues sorted out. I think you've said previously that you're connecting wirelessly to the NAS from your computer. Do you use a PC or a Mac?

I'm still having an issue with iTunes not recognising the NAS. Synology tech support, who are very helpful, have said that it would appear my router is blocking something called Bonjour Broadcast in Wifi and I need to ask the manufacturer (Thomson-Alcatel) to sort it out. Anyway, if you are using a MAC and wirelessly connecting from iTunes to the NAS, what router are you using, in case the cheap one my ISP provided can't support it.

thanks

Chisy

 

[PJ1200]

Hi PJ1200

Great to hear you've got your issues sorted out. I think you've said previously that you're connecting wirelessly to the NAS from your computer. Do you use a PC or a Mac?

I'm still having an issue with iTunes not recognising the NAS. Synology tech support, who are very helpful, have said that it would appear my router is blocking something called Bonjour Broadcast in Wifi and I need to ask the manufacturer (Thomson-Alcatel) to sort it out. Anyway, if you are using a MAC and wirelessly connecting from iTunes to the NAS, what router are you using, in case the cheap one my ISP provided can't support it.

thanks

Chisy

Thanks Chisy - hopefully things will start to resolve themselves. The joy of technology!!

It's interesting you have suggested this as during this mornings set up (and reading the user guide) the next section suggested 'connecting to the internet', which uses the EZ Internet wizard. Having run this, it basically came back with the fact that my router was not supported either! It is an O2 router (although from memory suggests Thompson are the manufacturer). It did say I could manually set it up, but I left that for another day!!

Bonjour is something Apple uses to stream stuff, by the looks of it - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonjour_(software)

I have a PC (I say that very loosely as it's on its last legs!) and am streaming my uploads wirelessly to the router and then to the NAS - which is why it takes so long.

When I was faffing with it all the other day (when it wasn't working correctly) the NAS did come up on the 'shared devices' list, so I think that shouldn't be an issue.

To be honest, I'm not sure I'm that bothered about iTunes sharing, because the NAS is not able to make iTunes redundant (i.e. I will still need my computer on if I want to use iRemote or AppleTV to stream music). I am expecting to use DS Audio on my phone to 'Airplay' music from the NAS to ATV and my Airport Express, as well as allowing my Sonos system to access the music directly from the NAS (again meaning my PC doesn't need to be running).

This is the plan, so unless you're looking to keep iTunes open on your MAC all the time, I'm not sure where it will fit in?

Obviously once my music is uploaded to the NAS I will then look to set up an iTunes drive on the NAS for my iTunes to point to, so any downloaded/ripped music is saved directly to the NAS - NOT MY PC's HARD DISK.

It's the dream, but I'm still a way away I think!

PJ

 

[Chisy1]

To be honest, I'm not sure I'm that bothered about iTunes sharing, because the NAS is not able to make iTunes redundant (i.e. I will still need my computer on if I want to use iRemote or AppleTV to stream music). I am expecting to use DS Audio on my phone to 'Airplay' music from the NAS to ATV and my Airport Express, as well as allowing my Sonos system to access the music directly from the NAS (again meaning my PC doesn't need to be running).

For 90% of my media it isn't a problem, i.e. all my music and the the DVDs I am backing up (legal issues aside) will be accessible primarily because I can now stream movies from my NAS to Apple TV via XBMC or Airplay via DSaudio to airports express.

However, I do have a number of digital copies of movies from iTunes and since the link with iTunes is broken I cannot see them on my Apple TV or sync them to my iPad which is terribly frustrating.