Benefits of Standalone/java/etc over Windows installation?

[gkoat]

Hello,

I was just curious what the benefits of the java/apache/standalone versions are over the standard windows installation, for example. I am not very savvy with coding, but am curious what I might be missing out on...I'm currently using the windows version with no problems at all. Thanks for amazing program!

[Tanner Williamson]

I would say that one of the biggest factors in what version you choose, be it the Windows distribution, or an alternative, is how you structure and use your media at home, and on the go (remote access). Do you store your media on the same computer that you use ever day, or do you want to offload your media storage and subsonic to a dedicated server that runs 24/7?

For example, My main desktop is a Core i7 with just a measly 80GB Solid State drive in it. Everyone knows that compared to the 2TB drives out there, 80GB isn't much storage... You can rest assured that I bought it for the speed benefits for the operating environment and applications I use day to day, and that I didn't purchase it for it's storage capacity (which is obviously lacking). I didn't buy it to fit all my music and media on it.

Since my Desktop was built with an emphasis in speed, and not on storage or running 24/7, I built my server to fill the other needs I had. My server needed to run 24/7, be powerful enough to support multiple files being transcoded at once on demand, and have sufficient capacity for the foreseeable storage growth.

By design, my purpose built desktop, and purpose buit server are very different. My server is stored in a separate room, and runs 24/7, unlike my desktop that runs only when I use it. Keeping it another room allows it to run without me being worried about the noise it puts out. If I were to run subsonic on my desktop (storage limitations aside), then I would have to keep it running all day and all night to provide access to it on demand 24/7. I prefer to sleep without the noise of a computer.


Once you decide on how you logically want to organize things, taking all factors into consideration, this will affect what version of subsonic you use.

1) Set goals for what you want to accomplish. Noise free? Running 24/7? Storage?
2) Build your infrastructure, within your budget. Network, Servers, and Internet connection.
3) Get the right version of Subsonic to fit what device will be your "server".

Since my Windows desktop doesn't have much storage, and I don't want to run it 24/7, I have a purpose built server running CentOS Linux, and use the distribution of Subsonic specifically tailored for that operating system.

[gkoat]

Tanner,

Thank you for the informative response.

I currently store everything on the same pc I use day-to-day, but as it also is running torrents constantly, I keep it on 24/7.

1) Set goals for what you want to accomplish. Noise free? Running 24/7? Storage?

I want to have a large storage space, 24/7 operation, and while I use the pc for daily activity, most of it is not demanding at all(browsing/editing mymusic collection mainly). Noise is not an issue for me(at its current db level)

2) Build your infrastructure, within your budget. Network, Servers, and Internet connection.

I have a solid internet connection that seems plenty sufficient for streaming. I have not thus far had issues with my torrents uploading at max speeds and not being able to stream fluidly. My processor and video card are pretty ancient, but my motherboard is top of the line and focused on storage. 2tb internal thus far, with plans to expand(hopefully!).

3) Get the right version of Subsonic to fit what device will be your "server".

I guess windows is fine for me then? I was worried I might be missing out on flexibility/features that the windows format wouldn't support.

My primary concern is what limitations exist with the windows format, and whether or not those limitations are addressed via the alternatives.

Does the server version you use look/operate in the same manner as the Windows? Does any non-windows user have anything worth building a system for? Your post was quite helpful, but it seems as though you use your setup for noise primarily, which is not currently an issue for me (knock on wood).

[paradym3]

I have just been through this myself on my 3rd Subsonic server build. For me the remote access to my media is key. That being said I found that running Subsonic on a server tucked away with modest specs and a lot of storage was a great solution. I could do whatever I wanted with my normal desktop and shut if off as needed without disconnecting users or getting text messages telling me my server was offline at 5am when my users in different time zones went looking for music at work.

For my last build I went to the high end for a Subsonic server. The Jetty version running in Windows 7 seemed to limit bandwidth to about 200K or so. Moving to IIS/Jakarta/Tomcat allows users to download from me at 3+ Mbps and allows me to have a lot more users connected concurrently. I can also server other web pages as needed. Keep in mind I am a Windows admin so this was play time for me.

Maybe ask yourself how many users you will have, how much time you want to spend administering another box and if your skill set is sufficient to perform an install with Linux or a Windows rig with Tomcat or IIS. Also do you want to use SSL? On the simple side, Win/Mac/Linux with standalone is super easy and quick. Setting up IIS/Jakarta/Tomcat/SSL is an involved process and will require you to learn a lot. But its fun.

Hope this help,
Craig