Bugzilla – Bug 2607
Ease switching Squeezebox between multiple SlimServers
Last modified: 2006-03-21 08:24:32 UTC
With per-user settings and multiple library capabilities in SlimServer not even on the roadmap, the use of multiple SlimServers on a network is often recommended to address this shortcoming. However, there's little support in the SB2/3 firmware to make switching between servers easy. Ideally, the user would be able to select from multiple servers that have been set up and stored in NV RAM on the SB. These server connections would be presented somewhere in the main SB menu system, perhaps at the top level, next to connection options such as connecting to Squeezenetwork. From discussions in the forums, apparently there are security issues in having the network setup accessible anywhere other than at the point of doing a Power-On-And-Hold from the remote. So my suggestion would be to permit the user to pre-define multiple named network setups at this point, then present those connection names within the menu system so that switching between servers takes only a few clicks on the remote.
Press and hold the LEFT arrow button and then scroll to the local server you'd like to connect to, then press RIGHT. Does this solve your issue?
One of the problems with this that was mentioned in the forums is that press-and-hold remote operations are often impossible when using a universal or learning remote. Another (unless I'm mistaken) is that you couldn't connect to SlimServers that aren't on the local subnet. It would be much more convenient if these connection options could be placed within the main menu system, as connecting to SqueezeNetwork is now.
strictly speaking, the hold is not 'impossible' nor was any determination made to qualify "often" (works easily with URC8911). To clarify, the user who originally brought this about mentioned that the Harmony (676) remote Power button is not programmed to repeat when using the Logitech-supplied codes for slimserver and was apparently unwilling to use any learning functions. Ranting ensued, so the extent of unwillingness was not fully determined. Press-and-hold left was not an option as this particular user was inquiring in regard to SB1. URL field above now points back to the thread in question. I don't have access to a Harmony remote, but I believe Dean does (yes?), so perhaps a solution is possible with the remote after all.
An easier and faster method of switching than the hold left down thingy would certainly be useful - even better would be a ranking system that allows you to define 'I want this slimserver first' and if it is not available, try connect to this one (then this one..up to maybe 4??)
I wouldn't mind the press-and-hold-left-arrow thing if that could be used to change just the server rather than having to change the network settings too. Of course, it would be nice if this functionality was integrated into the main menu and several servers were stored in nvram and I could simply select between them. Why do I want this? I run trunk, BRANCH_6_2_x, and split-scanner and switch between them fairly often. Would be nice to make it easier.
Ah, sorry. You can press and hold left to go back to setup and immediately choose between local servers on a SB2 and SB3, but the original Squeezebox can't do this. Alas, this won't be added to squeezebox1, there's not enough memory left in the device.
You can enter a new local server, but I don't see how it is possible to select between servers. Oh, unless you mean you can select between automatically detected servers (which I can't because my slimserver box is on a different subnet to my SB.)