Moving Roon server to a different computer across operating systems

[Joe_Strain]

Apologies if these answers should be self-evident, but, I’ve looked around in the posts and haven’t seen direct reference to a core migration from MacOS to Windows. I greatly appreciate any assistance…thank you!

For background: I’ve had my Roon Server on my trusty M1 Mac Mini for a little over three years now and, while the experience has been rock-solid, for the most part, I’ve begun noticing over the past few weeks that things have started to become a bit dicey; ie. losing the audio device, the occasional spinning circle while the remote looks for the core, etc.

In the interest of full-disclosure, the Mac is also my primary computer (I know, I know…I’m sorry! LOL)

Anyhow, in looking at my activity monitor, I’ve come to think that I’m butting up pretty dang hard against the 16GB of RAM. Between Chrome, Roon, and, whatever else , my 'lil champ is just about getting choked into submission!

Fortunately, I’m lucky enough to have a second machine. An Intel Core i7 11th gen with 32 GB of RAM running Windows 11.

A couple of questions:

Is the migration process the same, independent of OS? Will my MacOS-generated back-up travel intact to Windows 11?

Also, I have my entire library on an external 4TB SSD, connected directly to the Mac mini. I haven’t the slightest technical knowledge on how I could share this with the Windows machine over my network, assuming the SSD stays connected to the Mac. Is this achievable?

Sorry for the long-winded post, and, again, I appreciate the help.

[Jim_F]

Backup the Roon database to an attached USB drive. Download and install Roon on your Windows computer. Move your music drive to the Windows machine. Move the database backup drive to the Windows machine and restore your Roon database.

Somewhere in this process you will need to authorize your new Roon server and unauthorize your old Roon server. It will be evident when and where.

On the Windows machine, go to Roon - Settings - Storage and point it to the USB music drive.

On the Windows machine, go to Roon - Settings - Audio and enable your endpoints and do the setup for each.

Make sure you follow proper procedures for removing a USB drive from a Mac Mini, whatever they are.

Moving Roon to a new Server

[Joe_Strain]

Hello @Jim_F and thanks so much for reaching out.

All of that sounds easy enough. I currently have database back-ups on two separate external hard drives, which I update weekly. My only real issue here is when you say “move your music library to your Windows machine.”

My library is on an external 4TB SSD connected to the Mac mini, but, the filesystem is native to MacOS and is not, to my knowledge, anyway, readable via Windows. I’m open to suggestions, but, right now, at least, barring a solution of which I am currently unaware, I will likely need to leave the SSD attached to the mini and share the library over the network.

[Jim_F]

That should work as long as you can make the Windows machine see the Mac Mini, but that will be a cumbersome way to do it. It that case, I would install an empty USB drive on the Windows machine and format it properly as part of the Roon Server install process. Then copy the music files from the Mac Mini attached drive to the Windows attached drive across your network.

[Joe_Strain]

Great info, Jim…thank you!

Another question, if I might. Don’t mean to be a pest.

Let’s say I do get another SSD…Will the fact that the music library now consists of copies of the original library negatively affect, in any way, how Roon sees the database?

I’m not even sure that makes any sense…do you know what I mean? LOL

[Jim_F]

I’m pretty sure it won’t. If that’s a concern, copy them from your original location, ie. before Roon. Roon does not modify your music files in any way, so they should be good to go.

[Joe_Strain]

Awesome, Jim…thanks for your patience!

[Jim_F]

You ever play baseball?

[Joe_Strain]

Jim, that’s really funny. Had to think about that for a second. Thought I missed an inside joke for a second! LOL. No, but, I am aware that there was a player who has my name.