Can't see RPI on Roon

[tahsu]

I am not a network expert, or at least enough of one. I used to use managed switches at home, thinking that I knew enough of what everything needed and that my experience building data centres around the world would be sufficient, but I couldn’t find the exact right set of controls / firmware / blah blah to make it work well. Hubris is a master teacher.

The best thing I did at home recently was to rip out every piece of cable (I found a Cat5 from the late 90s!), replacing everything with new cat6a (a few cat7 for some longer runs runs). And, only use wifi for control devices (eg iPads, Surfaces etc). And, I went flat, dumb, name brand, new switches. And now everything is under a millisecond on average (yes, I use rrdtool to keep track).

So, I tend to agree with Roon on this one – networking is actually hard, and even if you understand what is happening on the wire that that doesn’t enable everyone to create a config that works well (YMMV – some people can, but alas not me).

To someone starting out, without deep networking skills, I would suggest something like:

• Buy only name brand, un-managed switches. Buy twice the capacity that you think you need.
• Buy a set of new cat6a cables from a reliable source for every connection (all the same, all new). Use Blue Jeans Cable if you want something tested for spec.
• If you can’t run ethernet in the walls, run them on the wall (white cables in corners or low to the ground can work in many situations.)
• Don’t use wifi for audio endpoints if at all possible, only for control devices.
• Don’t use ethernet over power.
• Test using ping from a wired device: everything should be within a millisecond or two within a normal home wired network most of the time. If not, resolve (remove a link at a time until you isolate the problem).

A man after my own heart!

I dispensed with ethernet over power last summer (mostly - still got wifi via it), installing new cat 6a cabling around my house, like an exoskeleton really. I do wish I had gone the whole hog and got Cat 7 but it had to be external grade for some runs and I could only get 6a.

I use a series of Netgear switches (3 at current count) and I am also upgrading the rest of the Ethernet cabling away from generic to Pearl or Cinnamon Audioquest cabling. I had some off issues, I think to do with interference with unshielded cabling - there is an awful lot behind my TV.

I am now thinking about running more Ethernet to my kitchen to enable my sonos play one to be wired and not wireless.

I currently use Develo 1200 wireless plugs for my wifi which I need to change, but to be fair to them, they have been faultless but they must be putting noise into the electrical system. I was wondering about Orbi to replace them.

It does seem to be never-ending sometimes, but its my choice to upgrade.

[villageworker]

I am now thinking about running more Ethernet to my kitchen to enable my sonos play one to be wired and not wireless.

If you wire your sonos devices turn the wireless off using their app. You can see the mesh network that sonos creates by running the following command from your browser:

http://AnySonosIPonYourNetwork:1400/support/review

Takes a few minutes and the returned page will show list of all sonos devices and network matrix. Click on the network matrix link.

Make sure you have no red cellls in this matrix. If all your sonos devices are wired with wireless turned off the cells will be blank.

Enjoy a better network experience

[tahsu]

I am still having issues with my RPI. I took delivery of a digione board today. Its been a faff to install it, basically because the metal case is v.tight and my power connector’s plastic housing was in the way, I ended up taking a knife to the connector so now at least I can get power to it.

I have then tried a number of OS, ropieee first, but couldnt find the digone as an endpoint on Roon. So I tried Volumio, and got it set up, but couldnt actually produce a sound. So I tried diet-pie, I already have a usbridge and I can still see that on Roon, but can’t see the new digione. I then can’t seem to find the IP for the new digione to SSH in. hmm, I am not sure how to proceed. Any thoughts??

UPDATE: I think I had the wrong version of Dietpi, e.g. non-roon version. I have the right version now and its working!! Nothing to see here…