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ReadyNAS 214 itunes server not visible to devices when not on home network
Hello
newbie to the community, so apologise if this has been covered before
i have set-up my 214 as an iTUNES server. (2x4TB Raid1). i have a iMAC; Apple Time Capsule 3TB router; ethernet/wireless network
1. chose itunes server in settings
2. shared my itunes directory as a itunes server
3. copied all library and library files to NAS
4. opened itunes with options button to choose the library on the NAS
result:
- when iphone/ipads on home network, the NAS library is visible. However, only when also the iMAC is still on - i.e. even though everything is pointing at the NAS, I cannot see the NAS unless the MAC is on...
- When I am on a different wifi network, the shared folder for the NAS is not visible, even if both MAC and NAS are on at home.
- by the way, I can view the NAS on a webpage; but cannot view admin page when not on home network
any pointers here where I went wrong?
thanks
3 Replies
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Mikey_P wrote:
- when iphone/ipads on home network, the NAS library is visible. However, only when also the iMAC is still on - i.e. even though everything is pointing at the NAS, I cannot see the NAS unless the MAC is on...
That's because the NAS itunes server doesn't support home sharing - and that is required for iphones/ipads. The iMAC is basically re-exporting the library so you can access it when it is on. This is on apple, they have never released a linux version of iTunes, and they have also never released the info needed for others to support home sharing.
If you want to access your media when you are away from home, you might want to check out plex - there are apps for it for iPhone/iPad.
Mikey_P wrote:
- When I am on a different wifi network, the shared folder for the NAS is not visible, even if both MAC and NAS are on at home.
- by the way, I can view the NAS on a webpage; but cannot view admin page when not on home network
Correct. Of course you do need to be careful about allowing open access to the NAS over the internet.
In order to get this functionality your options include
-using ReadyCloud or some other form of VPN. I use OpenVPN myself (installed on my router).
-set up a secondary https port in the NAS, and forward that in your router. Also setup FTPS (forwarding those ports) Install an FTPS client on the iOS devices (for instance GoodReader). You will also need a DDNS service so you can access the NAS by name. This takes some effort, but we can walk you through the steps here.
thanks for the reply :-)
ok, seems I was chasing ghosts re access via my iOS devices. some other tutorials for transferring iTunes lib files to a NAS (albeit not netgear stuff) implied it was possible. but not a problem, as main point of me purchasing the readyNAS was as a iTunes server for my home network. I'm aware of PLEX, although much of my existing video library is iTunes purchase which is a problem re DRM...
couple of follow-up questions (bearing in mind that as yet, I have not yet deleted by itunes library and media files of my iMAC yet since copying to the NAS until I know all is well...)
- when in itunes, I am able to view "This Computer" or "ReadyNAS". when set "this computer", all looks well in terms of artwork etc. when I select the NAS, the view goes berserk. All media content that is not an iTunes purchase looses its artwork and metadata - I don't understand why this should be when I did a direct copy to the NAS with no modification to the folder structure...?
- since setting up the NAS I assumed downloads from iTunes Store would automatically go to the NAS, but it seems to continue going to the HD on the Mac - why??
thanks!
Mikey_P wrote:
- when in itunes, I am able to view "This Computer" or "ReadyNAS". when set "this computer", all looks well in terms of artwork etc. when I select the NAS, the view goes berserk. All media content that is not an iTunes purchase looses its artwork and metadata - I don't understand why this should be when I did a direct copy to the NAS with no modification to the folder structure...?
- since setting up the NAS I assumed downloads from iTunes Store would automatically go to the NAS, but it seems to continue going to the HD on the Mac - why??
I think the answer to both questions is that the "iTunes Server" in the NAS isn't really an iTunes server. All linux-based NAS use a reverse-engineered freeware package (generally forked-daapd), and that simply doesn't have all the capabilities that the real iTunes does. It'd be great if Apple had itunes for linux (with a web ui) - but they don't. BTW, I don't think you'll be able to play your DRM-protected music unless the iMAC is running iTunes.
One workaround is to keep the media library on the NAS, but run iTunes on the iMAC. That of course does mean you'll need to keep the iMAC running, but you will free up space on it by shifting media to the NAS (and get the benefit of RAID redundancy).
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