Win 10 home 64 bit , HP Pavilion, Intel i7 7700 3.6 GHZ 16GB DDR3
Networking Gear & Setup Details
Wireless router no VPN
Connected Audio Devices
Stack Audio Link II bridge hard wired via ethernet cable to wireless router
Number of Tracks in Library
None
Description of Issue
I am trying to set up my desktop PC as a Roon core using your 1 month trial. I can log into my account, but your software flags up that I have a network issue some wont allow me to set up the core. I had a Roon Core set up on this PC back in 2021, and it worked fine. I also know that my network and wireless router are working fine and able to sutain data rates of ~ 70MBPs…
Roon recommends connecting your core via Ethernet cable.
Having the core on wifi is the usual cause of network issues in Roon.
Is it possible to wire your core to the router, even if temporarily, for setup/testing?
It’s important to keep in mind that for Roon it’s often your intranet (LAN), not internet, speed that matters.
When running a speed test or considering your internet plan speed this is the speed between your home and the outside world not the speed within your home.
Also, wifi is what’s referred to as half-duplex: Meaning data can only travel in one direction at once whereas Ethernet is full duplex.
Ie. Wifi is a one way street. Ethernet is a two way street. For Roon the distinction can be important.
Generally having your endpoints on wifi is ok but if at all possible the Core should be on Ethernet.
Can I set up my Roon Core on my macbook as I can then easily hard wire it via an ehernet cable?
The desktop PC is more awkward as I don’t have an ethernet port close to it, so would need around 30ft of ethernet cable to connect it to the router, so pesume that might be an issue in terms of signal strength/quality?.The macbook would be easier.
Can I run the core wirelessly once its set up?
I ran my core on a MacBook Air for a year or two.
It really depends on the laptop’s specs, the size of your library and what DSP, if any, you’re using.
Whether your core will work on wifi or not is dependent on the specifics of your wifi setup.
But it’s counter to Roon guidelines.
In my case Core on wifi worked fine for months then for no apparent reason it didn’t.
After much troubleshooting it turned out my neighbour installed a mesh network and it was interfering with mine… there are so many variables that wifi can introduce hence the recommendation from Roon the Core be on Ethernet.
30ft of Ethernet cable shouldn’t be a problem other than maybe being unsightly and awkward.
I’ve run my core on more than that before.
Its an M1 macbook pro, so I assume that’s fine and the DSP is generally fairly stable at the moment on wireless.
I’ll hard wire the router to the desktop to see if that allows me to set up the core, and if that doesn’t work I’ll re post.
The message is ‘Network error. Please check you internet connection’
Had a rsposnse form Your Customer Success Team before I first posted on the forum and they told me that ‘The network error message is generic, but it usually points to technical issues’, so maybe this isn’t an internet issue??
Yes its a great laptop, and as you say more than enough to run as a Roon core,
Sadly, I haven’t yet had the time to set up the Core on the laptop, but will let you know when I do. Fingers crossed it works when its hardwired with an ethernet cable. Heres hoping
Oh, on your other Q. On the desktop, I’ll either relocate it next to the router so I can hardwire it, or run around 30ft of ethernet cable (I’ll have to purchase this). I only plan to use the hardwire option to setup the Core and would then run it wirelessly - its less messy with wiring runs - and then hope the Core continues to work wirelessly. So first stage is to try to set the Core up on my laptop and see if that works (this requires minimal cabling). If it does then I’ll set up a Core on my desktop (again hardwired). So fingers crossed,and will keep you posted.
No luck even with the desktop connected directly to the router via ethernet cable. Moved the desktop to the router in the end, so I could have a short run of ethernet cable (<4ft), a bit of a pain as it hasnt made the slightets difference, as I still get the same error message ‘Network error. Please check you internet connection’.My broadband has no connection or speed issues, and is running at ~75MBPs download and ~19MBPs upload. I’m stumped, so look forward to your comments.
The Roon Core set up was straightorward on the laptop using wireless access, but I haven’t yet used tried any streaming, but I’m sure it’ll work noe the Core is set up.
Your Qs on the PC network connection and firewall were a good prompt, as I recalled that I had issues with my virus and/or windows firewall on the PC when I set up the original Roon core on the PC back in 2021, and had to switch off some of the antivirus or firewall protection temporarily to set up and use the Roon Core. I’ll do some adjustments to the settings and see if I can set up the Core. Looks like I might have a way forward now. I’ll keep you posted on progress.
One final thought …
Can I set up a core on both the laptop and P,C and just use one or the other, if for example, the laptop is not available for sone reason or has a flat battery etc… or vice versa?
Yes, Roon allows you to have as many Cores as you want, but only one can be running per active Roon license. You will have to manage the music libraries (or access to a common library), as well as determine if you want each Core to use the same backup (it is straightforward to restore between Cores). The main issue is having to de-authorize and authorize the old and new Core each time you want to switch between them, and then restore and connect to the music library.
Breaking news !
Have managed to setup the Roon Core on my PC, but had to turn off my AV firewall to do it. so not ideal, as I then have no firewall protection when I’m streaming, and have to remember to reinstate the firewall when I’ve finished streaming. I assume I’m not the only one with ths issue, so I wonder is there a better fix?
Can you create exceptions in your firewall software for roon.exe and raatserver.exe? Most firewalls allow for exceptions.
If you have another AV application other than Windows’ native FW and AV tools, you can turn these on (with the exceptions noted in #1 above) to ensure you have some security on your PC Core when you run Roon.
Glad you’re making progress and sorry Firewall settings didn’t occur to me right away.
Noticing all the variables except the one that matters is my super-power.
Thanks to both of you.
Have checked my AV firewall, and have had to allow access to ‘launch network apps’ and ‘access to network resources’ for both on.exe and raatserver.exe to get the Core.to laod on the desktop.Is this wise from a security point of view?
