Posts: 86
Threads: 10
Joined: Aug 2002
After a bit of an absence, I'm getting back into a CQC installation. In the past, I had an HTPC for the CQC server and a 'main' computer that I did development on, and I simply had a full installation on each. This time, however, I've got a more complex network configuration, and I'm not sure what components of CQC I should be installing where.
What I've got now is a gigabit network with the following computers:
- A 1TB ReadyNAS NV+ media server with both audio and video files. The OS is unix, its running Slimserver, is managed remotely, and is up 24/7.
- An ARTiGO Pico-ITX computer to be used as the main CQC server and for home-automation control (via serial and USB). The OS is a 'tuned' XP-Pro, is managed remotely, and is up 24/7.
- A desktop PC workstation on which I want to do my CQC development. Its running XP-Pro and is up during daylight hours.
- A tablet PC that I'd like to be able to check CQC status do 'tuning' with. Its running XP-Tablet and is up only an hour or so per day.
- In the next month or so, I'm going to get a fanless PC for home-theater control (via both serial and IR). I plan to install XP-Pro and it will be up 24/7.
So my question is what components of CQC should I be installing on each of these systems? Any and all input will be appreciated.
Ken
Posts: 40,483
Threads: 491
Joined: Aug 2002
So you'd put the CQC MS on the Pico-ITX machine, as well as the other things that are only installable on the MS, such as the event server, and if it's controlling any devices you'd install CQCServer. If you ever need to do local work, go ahead and install the client tools as well.
For the client machines that you just want to do CQC development on, just install the client tools. You might want to install CQCServer there as well if you want to connect hardware locally for testing or something, but otherwise you only need the client tools.
For the tablet PC, you generally want to do a 'standalone IV' installation, which only installs the interface viewer and nothing else. So you can just run user interfaces there, but there are no background services running.
One problem is the streaming of music. If you are going to stream music from that NAS and play it back via computer, using our multi-zone player for instance, then you are going to need some machine tod o that. I'm not sure a Pico-ITX is up to that or not. So you may want a machine in the theater that's on when you are in there to watch movies, and install the client tools and CQCServer on it and let it control any local theater hardware and provide local music and movie streaming.
Dean Roddey
Explorans limites defectum
Posts: 86
Threads: 10
Joined: Aug 2002
Dean Roddey Wrote:...One problem is the streaming of music. If you are going to stream music from that NAS and play it back via computer, using our multi-zone player for instance, then you are going to need some machine tod o that. I'm not sure a Pico-ITX is up to that or not. So you may want a machine in the theater that's on when you are in there to watch movies, and install the client tools and CQCServer on it and let it control any local theater hardware and provide local music and movie streaming.
Wow, Dean, thanks for the quick response. (5 min!)
Yeah, I figured that the Pico-ITX didn't have enough 'oomph' to manage music/video streaming, as well as not having gigabit capabilities (only 10/100 supported). That last fanless HTPC is what I plan on using for that. I'm pretty confident, though, that the Pico-ITX will do an excellent job as the master server and driving home automation (lighting, irrigation, etc.).
By the way, this Pico-ITX is a really nice little unit. As I said above, it seems plenty powerful enough to be a server, only cost me about $385, runs pretty cool, and only draws about 12 watts while running! The only unknown is its durability, as you'll want to run it 24/7.
Ken
OK. If you weren't using a PC for playback (i.e. you are sending your ripped CD streams to a Concerto, or something) would a mini-itx (Celeron 220) (Intel D201GLY2 Mini-ITX Motherboard) do the deal for two simultaneous audio streams? (I know I'd have to upsize the hard drive to handle the repo.) It's only got one PCI slot, so I was figuring the Delta 410 for sound, and use an IO Networks USB-> 8 serial port adapter for the connectivity.
I was hoping to get my master server and audio server on a low-power 24/7 type machine like this. Does it sound workable?
Posts: 40,483
Threads: 491
Joined: Aug 2002
What kidn of CPU does it have?
Dean Roddey
Explorans limites defectum
Sorry, Dean, I should've included more info. I hope to shamelessly rip off larry's (lpott6's) idea.
Only supports 1Gb of RAM, but that's all I've got right now, anyway. I'd probably go w/ a case that allowed a 3.5" hard drive. Wikipedia says Cel 220 runs at 1.2 GHz.
Specs from mini-box dot commo website ...
Intel D201GLY Mini-ITX Motherboard
- Soldered down Intel® Celeron processor 220 with a 533 MHz system bus
- SiS SiS662 Northbridge, SiS SiS964 Southbridge
- 10/100 Mbits/sec LAN subsystem using the Broadcom LAN adapter device
- One 240-pin DDR2 SDRAM Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) sockets
- 6 USB 2.0 ports
Posts: 40,483
Threads: 491
Joined: Aug 2002
Yeh, that should be fine for a couple streams of audio.
Dean Roddey
Explorans limites defectum
