Can you plug a SB directly into a PC?

Loftprojection · « **on:** 9 May 2006, 01:36 am »

I'm tempted by the SB and this may be a stupid question but I can't find the answer.

I was wondering if you can plug a SB directly in your PC with the ethernet cable? The idea is that I often loose the signal on my wireless so for those days when the signal is not too good, could I plug the SB directly into my PC and still use it?

Thanks.

srb · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 May 2006, 01:52 am »

Not a stupid question at all.

You can plug the SB directly into an ethernet port on your computer, but you will need what is called a "crossover" ethernet cable, instead of the standard patch cable that you would use to plug into a hub, switch, router or access point.

Steve

konut · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 May 2006, 02:48 am »

Thats how I'm using mine. You can't beat the reliability of copper wire.

Loftprojection · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 May 2006, 03:30 pm »

OK great news! I assume a "crossover" ethernet cable is basically the same cable but with some of the wires place in a different position (pin out)?

Also, do you then have to "turn on" some kind of software on your PC? I think normally the SB would get it's IP address from the router so do you need to have your PC provide the address like if it was a server?

Thanks.

konut · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 May 2006, 03:58 pm »

Yes, its an application called Slimserver. Once you turn on the SB and open the app, the SB automatically retrieves the IP address. For me this takes about 15 seconds, then your up and running.

Loftprojection · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 May 2006, 01:09 pm »

Great, thanks much konut. I knew you needed to install Slimserver but I thought this was only the software to manage the audio files, I didn't know Slimserver was also acting as the "network manager"!

Eli · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 May 2006, 02:09 am »

Quote from: Loftprojection

Great, thanks much konut. I knew you needed to install Slimserver but I thought this was only the software to manage the audio files, I didn't know Slimserver was also acting as the "network manager"!

It's not. The software contained within most home routers that doles out IP addresses is called a DHCP server. You don't really need it, as you can manually assign an IP address to the Squeezebox instead.

Another issue of running without a network router is in accessing the Internet from the Squeezebox. If you'd like to use their SqueezeNetwork service, in which the Squeezebox connects directly to an Internet radio feed, then you'd need to configure your PC as a router (often called "Internet sharing" in Windows). If you don't care to use SqueezeNetwork then don't worry about it. You can still connect to streaming 'net radio through the SlimServer running on the PC.

You may not need a special crossover cable to connect the PC directly to the Squeezebox. If you have a standard "straight through" ethernet cable lying around, try that first. Most modern computers' ethernet connections have what is called MDI/MDI-X auto crossover, where it auto-detects the type of connection (either to another ethernet device, or to a hub/switch) and internally crosses over the wires if necessary.

Loftprojection · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 May 2006, 05:18 pm »

Quote from: Eli

It's not. The software contained within most home routers that doles out IP addresses is called a DHCP server. You don't really need it, as you can manually assign an IP address to the Squeezebox instead.

Another issue of running without a network router is in accessing the Internet from the Squeezebox. If you'd like to use their SqueezeNetwork service, in which the Squeezebox connects directly to an Internet radio feed, then you'd need to configure your PC as a router (often called "Internet sharing" in Windows). If you don't care to use SqueezeNetwork then don't worry about it. You can still connect to streaming 'net radio through the SlimServer running on the PC.

...

Thanks Eli, I'm starting to understand more and more, soon I'll be an expert without even having the SB yet! haha

I don't really care about internet radio so that's not an issue for me.

Bottom line, I think I have the flexibility I need with the SB. I can connect it wireless and when I get frustrated with signal loss I can just swing the ethernet cable straight in my portable PC.

Eli · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 May 2006, 05:53 pm »

Quote from: Loftprojection

Bottom line, I think I have the flexibility I need with the SB. I can connect it wireless and when I get frustrated with signal loss I can just swing the ethernet cable straight in my portable PC.

May be a good plan. I run two Squeezebox2s wirelessly without a hitch, though, and almost never get a dropout. If your wireless router contains a switch (multiple ethernet ports for attaching computers, devices, etc.) as most do, that would probably be your better fallback strategy and would be every bit as reliable as a direct PC->SB connection. If I'm not mistaken, it would require a bit less reconfiguration on the Squeezebox to switch between the wired and wireless connection if you kept it on the router.

Loftprojection · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 May 2006, 11:48 pm »

Quote from: Eli

May be a good plan. I run two Squeezebox2s wirelessly without a hitch, though, and almost never get a dropout. If your wireless router contains a switch (multiple ethernet ports for attaching computers, devices, etc.) as most do, that would probably be your better fallback strategy and would be every bit as reliable as a direct PC->SB connection. If I'm not mistaken, it would require a bit less reconfiguration on the Squeezebox to switch between the wired and wireless connection if you kept it on the router.

Haha, maybe but I'll need about 50 to 75 feet of cable!!! My router is not on the same floor as my sound system!