Do I Need A Subsonic Server...?

[ComfyGray]

Hi all,

Just a bit unsure...

I understand my PC is basicly acting as a server - but do we need the existence and running of subsonics servers in order to make all this work or does it rely exclusively on using our own PC and connection?

Cheers.

[alphawave7]

You run YOUR music server (SS) locally. The donated version OPTIONALLY includes a subsonic.org address which forwards directly to your SS server at home, by using a 'redirect service' provided by Sindre. Does that help explain things?

[ComfyGray]

thanks alphawave7, much appreciated.

I think it explains things - I conclude that you do need subsonic.org to be functional for subsonic to work.

Just trying to figure out if ever my music will stop if the subsonic.org addresses go down or are changed.

so basicly - the whole thing does rely on Sindre's servers/addresses.

Cheers.

[alphawave7]

thanks alphawave7, much appreciated.

I think it explains things - I conclude that you do need subsonic.org to be functional for subsonic to work.

Just trying to figure out if ever my music will stop if the subsonic.org addresses go down or are changed.

so basicly - the whole thing does rely on Sindre's servers/addresses.

Cheers.

No, not entirely. Your fixed IP address/port of your server should always provide you access, as well as any DNS-Forwarding service, like dyndns and the sort.

[ComfyGray]

thanks again alphawave7

so all this can run without subsonic servers even existing? That is what I wanted to know as I was going to buy a 16GB microSD card to store music on but will gladly spend the money on a subsonic license instead if indeed it does require any outside server/address to run.

Suppose mainly hesitant of being out of town and subsonic addresses changing or suffering downtime and being left without my music - which would be a nightmare for me to suffer.

At least I only have to rely on my own PC serving up the goods although I have noticed that the PC (Windows) based subsonic software does contact other IP addresses for some reason which is quite curious.

[alphawave7]

If subsonic.org is down (infrequent, thankfully!) you have those options mentioned above as backup. Enjoy!

[ComfyGray]

many thanks

[GJ51]

I also use my homeserver.com domain to access the server at http://maplegrove.homeserver.com:8084/

There are also other DNS services available on the web.

And, of course, as mentioned, you can always just use your external IP:port#

Final note: the SS.org service is actually on a GoDaddy.com server and should have excellent uptime.

[dcuellar]

Would anyone be kind enough to share how I can set up my own server just in case? It would be nice to have an option.

[GJ51]

Start with a fresh Java install to the latest version. If you have Java already, uninstall, then do a clean install of the latest version. If you use a 64 bit browser be sure to get both 32 & 64 bit Java.
http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/java_win64bit.xml If you have SS installed, uninstall it and delete the Subsonic directory (Windows).
Disable any DHCP services in any VOIP equipment or other additional routers you have. Only ONE router/device per network should handle DHCP assignments.

Most problems are due to improper setup on the router. Setting a fixed internal ip address for the server and proper port forwarding rules on the router are essential for long term stability.

Never use port 80 or 443 - ISP's often use or block them and these are also the default ports on WHS for the remote login page. 8080,8081, work fine. 808X always works. I've seen others use different port numbers that have caused install failures.

READ: http://monroeworld.com/android/subsonic/ This is the Windows tutorial but most of the concepts apply to any setup. Specific setup instructions for other Operating Systems are available in the Tutorials section. http://forum.subsonic.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=6 and on the Subsonic website at http://www.subsonic.org/pages/installation.jsp

In Subsonic Settings/Network - UNCHECK " Automatically configure your router to allow incoming connections to Subsonic (using UPnP or NAT-PMP port forwarding)." make sure to hit the SAVE button, you may have to scroll down to see it depending on your screen size. UPnP or Plug & Pray works sometimes, but not very often and you're better off learning what's going on anyway. You're dipping your toe into the network mgmt. thing anyway, might as well learn what's going on as home networks don't get simpler as time goes on. As your network gets more complex, you're going to have to learn this stuff! No time like the present.

Manually assign a fixed intenal IP and static route to your server at the upper end of the address range of the router, out of the way of DHCP, e.g. 192.168.1.254

Set up your router manually. uPNP might work, but most often it doesn't. Learing how to do it will be a skill you'll love having as your network grows.

Check the Subsonic Control Panel to make sure it's using the right port you're going to use. I typically use 8080 - 440, 8081 - 441, etc.

Set up port forwarding in your router to direct traffic on the selected port to your server. Consult your router documentation to do this, they are all a bit different.

Learn your external IP address assigned by your ISP. Go to http://www.canyouseeme.org/ enter your SS port number and click the Check box to be sure the Subsonic port is open.

Test your setup by entering your external IP:port# to see if it connects. e.g. http://98.117.185.5:8084/ If it works, you're good to go.

[dcuellar]

Great. Thank you so much! I will try this sometime next week so I don't mess anything up while I'm gone on vacation.

Thanks for the quick response GJ51!