[randytsuch]

So last night I had problems with my combined LMS/VAMP Pogo again, couldn't connect to LMS, so I threw in the towel on my combined Pogo.

I set up one Pogo by my router/switch, and have a direct Ethernet connection from him to the router.  He is the server, has my USB HD attached running Logitech Music Server (Squeezeserver).

I reimaged the stick for the first Pogo, and he is running Vamp 03, with my ifi iDAC attached by USB.  This Pogo is wireless, using the little router I bought set up as a client.

Seems to be solid with two Pogos.

I set up the LMS Pogo like the instructions I have, setting up as a Vamp first, then loading LMS.  Seems to work fine, will see.
I do plan to leave this one on 24/7 as power draw seems small, I want to measure.  I also want to see if I can power down the USB drive when it is idle for a while, as it will be idle most of the time.

So there is my sad story .

Just to be clear, I know very little Linux, if I was better at it I probably could have figured it out, but I only use it for this music server, and when I built another server years ago.

And it is a happy ending, like Larry said, sounds really good, so I used two $22 Pogos instead of one, my budget can take the hit, and now I have a little low power, NAS hard wired to my switch too.

I'll update my blog sometime this weekend to reflect my new setup.

Randy

[mcgsxr]

When I ordered the unit, I ended up doubling down in case this became a reality.

I still expect to use my Mac Mini as my LMS, but was thinking about setting up a Pogo as the server, so this development is OK with me.

[BFitz]

I upgraded to Vamp version 0.3 last night
You ust need to install this new image on a stick and then power up the pogo with the stick, log in and then type in the two lines from the link I had
fw_setenv arcNumber
fw_setenv machid dd6
Worked with no problem, and then I reinstalled LMS yet again, and I have a LMS/Vamp 0.3 Pogo running now...
It is nice that you see a blinking yellow light when it is coming up, and then a solid green light when it is up and running.
Randy

When I did the upgrade to V3, I re-imaged the USB stick. To erase the Linux format USB on windows right click on my computer, manage, manage drives, find the USB and delete partition, then create partition, format fat32.
 
Then ran everything as before, loaded LMS, but did not do the 2 commands above. The "on" light was orange still.
But everything else worked fine, 100%.

Went back and through putty typed the 2 lines
fw_setenv arcNumber
fw_setenv machid dd6

And rebooted, now the light is green.
BUT... still does not work for me behind 2 switches. Only works directly connected to my main router/switch.

[BFitz]

I still expect to use my Mac Mini as my LMS, but was thinking about setting up a Pogo as the server, so this development is OK with me.

I ordered a Kingston 64GB USB memory stick for $38. to use as the POGO based LMS USB music drive. It will hold about 200 Flac format CD's. No, not my entire ripped music collection, but good enough to stock my favorites and new stuff I'm currently listening to. Easy enough to update and change it. And it will be on 24/7, using very little power, with nothing spinning. When they get cheaper, I'll go to 128GB.

Another new IPhone program I just tried - the Squeezecast app. It cost's a buck, and let's you type in the LMS server address, then it will play anything you want on it.
It plays your music ON the IPhone. Including internet radio streams, started via the server. It basically shows up as another "player" when the app is running. Through the app itself it only lets you play your own songs from the server. But through another server interface program (IPeng, web interface, etc) you can see the Squeezecast player, and play your saved "favorite" internet streams on the Iphone. Probably limited to WiFi, but good for late night headphones/background falling asleep. That's when I tune in to Bob Parlocha.   
 

[randytsuch]

When I did the upgrade to V3, I re-imaged the USB stick. To erase the Linux format USB on windows right click on my computer, manage, manage drives, find the USB and delete partition, then create partition, format fat32.

I just copied the new V3 image to the stick, I didn't mess with the partitions or anything, not sure if you need to?
When you copy the new image, I think it just overwrites everything on the stick.

Randy

[crooner]

I wonder if LMS can be installed on the P21 PogoPlug. I ordered two and got one of each. If not, I guess I'll have to return it...

[randytsuch]

So I need to update my instructions, I found somewhere else where they setup the music library drive before installing LMS.

I setup LMS per my instructions, LMS then drive, and I had a problem.  I changed the order, and it seems to be working fine, will check again tonight, after leaving the pogo on.  I have turned it on and off a few times, and it recognizes the drive OK on power on, I want to make sure things work after leaving it on for a while.

The problem I had was after leaving it on overnight, I could not see the hard drive anymore from the Pogo even though it was still connected.

BTW, I also tried to install LMS and run it and my USB DAC from the same pogo, and still had a problem.

Randy

[BFitz]

I wonder if LMS can be installed on the P21 PogoPlug. I ordered two and got one of each. If not, I guess I'll have to return it...

I would absolutely return it and get the E02G for 22. shipped from the Vortex store. The G stands for Grey, even though it comes in a pink box. All support is for the EO2, unless you want to take a walk on the wild side and risk making it brain dead, or use the P21 as a normal POGO file server.

[BFitz]

So I need to update my instructions, I found somewhere else where they setup the music library drive before installing LMS.

I setup LMS per my instructions, LMS then drive, and I had a problem.  I changed the order, and it seems to be working fine, will check again tonight, after leaving the pogo on.  I have turned it on and off a few times, and it recognizes the drive OK on power on, I want to make sure things work after leaving it on for a while.

Mine is doing fine using the original instructions. But it has minor hiccups when I change the music player connected to the POGO based LMS server. When it is connected OK, it's never a problem seeing the USB SS thumb drive. I've been trying 3 different software based music players connected to the POGO LMS - Squeezecast on the Iphone (be sure to adjust the Iphone app settings to check box "always on"), squeezeplay, and softsqueeze on the PC. 

BTW, anyone have a quick procedure for doing a software update for LMS? Is it a re-install using a new web address to the software? I'm getting prompts to upgrade to 7.7.2 and have the file locally. Is there a way to do it from a local file easily?

[randytsuch]

Mine is doing fine using the original instructions. But it has minor hiccups when I change the music player connected to the POGO based LMS server. When it is connected OK, it's never a problem seeing the USB SS thumb drive. I've been trying 3 different software based music players connected to the POGO LMS - Squeezecast on the Iphone (be sure to adjust the Iphone app settings to check box "always on"), squeezeplay, and softsqueeze on the PC. 

BTW, anyone have a quick procedure for doing a software update for LMS? Is it a re-install using a new web address to the software? I'm getting prompts to upgrade to 7.7.2 and have the file locally. Is there a way to do it from a local file easily?

I am using a Hitach Touro USB drive, which is a traditional spinning hard drive, wonder if it matters versus a USB flash drive?
I was thinking about buying a 128G flash drive, they are $70 at Fry's, but I think my hd is working ok now (fingers crossed), so I'm going to wait and see.

There must be a way to update if you have the file.  In the last step for installing, you have the option to point somewhere else (a latter version) instead of the default version.  At that step, if you pointed at an internal file instead of a file on the internet, I wonder if it would work?  Or, you could just point to the place on the internet where you got the file, and it should upgrade to that version.

Also, you can turn off checking for the latest version, I think that would stop the nag messages.

I also agree about returning the wrong pogo if you aren't comfortable messing with Linux, I think you might be able to do it but there is more risk in messing it up.

Randy

[BFitz]

I just plugged my POGO based LMS server into a "kill-a-watt" monitor

http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4400-Electricity-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360277635&sr=1-1&keywords=kill+a+watt

It consumes 3 watts while playing flac files from a USB thumb drive over the network (no VAMP USB DAC locally).

At local rates, this costs about 7 cents a week to operate. Pretty decent for a green low power music server!

[randytsuch]

I just plugged my POGO based LMS server into a "kill-a-watt" monitor

http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4400-Electricity-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360277635&sr=1-1&keywords=kill+a+watt

It consumes 3 watts while playing flac files from a USB thumb drive over the network (no VAMP USB DAC locally).

At local rates, this costs about 7 cents a week to operate. Pretty decent for a green low power music server!

With my 500gb touro drive, I get 5 watts during playback. 
I also get 5 watts for my other pogo, which also powers a usb dac, so I am using 10 watts for two pogo's, an external usb hard drive and a usb dac.

Also, I updated my blogger instructions to show setting up the music USB HD before loading LMS.

After loading per these instructions, using two pogo's, my setup is solid.  I can turn on and off as much as I want (I use "shutdown now" before I power down), and I haven't had any more problems.

For the money, low power use, and sound, it's hard to beat these Pogo's.

Randy

[MLS]

I have one of the Pogoplug P21's.  I was planning to build the VAMP but i got the wrong Pogo and I am to dumb to set up the right Pogo anyway.  I decided it was not worth sending the Pogo P21 back and still have not even plugged it in. 

Is it possible to use the P21 as a music server with a USB hard drive for my Squeeze Box Touch?

If not what can I do with it?

Scott

[diyfan]

I ordered one thru the Vortexbox Amazon link and managed to get the right one.  Got it up and running no problem and it sounds and works great!

The one question I have is am I supposed to leave the usb flash drive connected always?  I pulled mine out and the sound started distorting.  No big deal but I seem to remember seeing a picture of someone's setup without it plugged in.

[BFitz]

I ordered one thru the Vortexbox Amazon link and managed to get the right one.  Got it up and running no problem and it sounds and works great!

The one question I have is am I supposed to leave the usb flash drive connected always?  I pulled mine out and the sound started distorting.  No big deal but I seem to remember seeing a picture of someone's setup without it plugged in.

Yes, you need to leave it plugged in. That USB drive contains the guts of the LINUX operating system, and the music player program - i.e. it IS what the box is running on. If you unplug it and reboot, it will be a vanilla POGO box again, with POGO updates disabled. It needs to be there permanently, which is why many people choose to buy the very short USB sticks, so it doesn't stick out so far. I'm not 100% sure it NEEDS to be plugged into the front USB to boot and run OK, I tried it on the rear once and it ran fine in a brief test.   

[BFitz]

BTW, anyone have a quick procedure for doing a software update for LMS? Is it a re-install using a new web address to the software? I'm getting prompts to upgrade to 7.7.2 and have the file locally. Is there a way to do it from a local file easily?

I just updated the normal way - logged in via putty, and then setup > install a media server, etc.
There is an option when you say "install" to uninstall - did this, then installed with 7.7.2
The web address you need to use is
 
http://downloads.slimdevices.com/LogitechMediaServer_v7.7.2/logitechmediaserver_7.7.2_all.deb

Use shift and right click to paste it the box. You'll need to rescan, reload plug-ins, etc. BTW, the Song Lyrics plug-in is really cool. 
Works fine!

[diyfan]

Yes, you need to leave it plugged in. That USB drive contains the guts of the LINUX operating system, and the music player program - i.e. it IS what the box is running on. If you unplug it and reboot, it will be a vanilla POGO box again, with POGO updates disabled. It needs to be there permanently, which is why many people choose to buy the very short USB sticks, so it doesn't stick out so far. I'm not 100% sure it NEEDS to be plugged into the front USB to boot and run OK, I tried it on the rear once and it ran fine in a brief test.   

OK, that makes sense. Thanks for the response.

[randytsuch]

I have one of the Pogoplug P21's.  I was planning to build the VAMP but i got the wrong Pogo and I am to dumb to set up the right Pogo anyway.  I decided it was not worth sending the Pogo P21 back and still have not even plugged it in. 

Is it possible to use the P21 as a music server with a USB hard drive for my Squeeze Box Touch?

If not what can I do with it?

Scott

There is something called openpogo which I think would let you get a pogoplug to run squeeze server, but I think it might be hard if you don't know much about computers, you might search and see.

Otherwise, you could use it for it's intended function, which I think is a to make a personal cloud.

Randy

[BFitz]

here's an update on using the POGO based VAMP player / LMS behind switches/hubs.
I previously reported problems when used behind 2 switches. I spoke incorrectly, what I had tried it on was a an 8 port switch in front of a 4 port hub. The unit POGO was connected to the hub.

This did not work, even when I replaced the hub with another 10/100 (Netgear FS-104) one I had here. Note that all other devices on this hub worked fine, including a laptop and LAN connected SB3. I know, hubs are ancient and no one uses them anymore. Before this, I never had a problem though.

Yesterday I tried connecting the POGO to one of the open ports on the 8 port switch - and it worked fine. Hooray!
So I just ordered another switch, and will try it 2 switches deep when that arrives. So for me, now router > switch > POGO works great. And using hubs seem to be a problem.

In general, I try to keep wired connections if possible, mostly for speed, but also to minimize the amount of local RF generated in the house. I have forced hot air heating, and run Ethernet CAT5 cables through the hot air and return ducts to get wired connections throughout the house. Will update when the switch arrives later this week.

Also, updating to 7.7.2 seems to have made the LMS server more responsive, and now it actually works with the Kindle fire HD 8.9 free app called "Squeezer". It's not a great app like IPeng but it works OK, and is free. It would NOT work with LMS 7.7.0 - just "hung".     
 

[randytsuch]

Also, updating to 7.7.2 seems to have made the LMS server more responsive, and now it actually works with the Kindle fire HD 8.9 free app called "Squeezer". It's not a great app like IPeng but it works OK, and is free. It would NOT work with LMS 7.7.0 - just "hung".   

That's interesting, maybe I'll try 7.7.2, I am using 7.7.0 and it works fine for me, but if .2 is more responsive.

BTW, I have my LMS direct wired to my router, and my player wireless, and it is working fine like that.  I did move my player this weekend to a room farther away from my router, and I had a couple of dropouts until I repositioned the player to be a little higher, and so it faced the router, and then it worked fine.

I am also thinking about getting a 2nd router like my main router, and then making a wireless bridge setup.  Interesting idea about running ethernet through the vents though, I never thought of that.

Randy