I use Roon in two different locations. I know that I can use the same library at both places. But I think I forgot how to do this.
What I did this time (and I believe before too): I copied the library to a hard disk, took it with me to the other location, synchronized the files and restored the backup I made at the first place.
I believe, this was how it worked before. This time it didn’t. The first problem is that tha library backup didn’t contain the backups of the last 4 weeks. (At the other loication I checked this, and all were in place). The second problem: The backup location is now the same here as there, but this is wrong because I have different user names and so fifferent directory names. And the restore messed up the library.
There is on the help pages a text whioch descrobes how it wortks. I found it once an all was OK. Now I tried to find it to see, if I make a mistake, but the help pages being as they are, I can’t find anytjing.
So my question is: Can do, what I believe, I did before some times: use Roon on two places (not at the same time) and use the same library? And if this is possible, how?
A backup is just a “special” copy of your Roon database. This means that restoring that copy to another server will restore the exact same copy of the data. If paths differ between the two servers, then you have to correct them manually after the restore (every time). Same goes for other stuff like play-back zones, server name, server settings, … . You also have to make sure to copy new audio files between the two servers, they are not contained in a Roon Backup.
As of what you wrote above, you don’t want to have the same Roon database to begin with because your setup is not the same because paths (and probably other things too) differ. You can use a copy (backup) to start with, but then have to modify that copy to accommodate for the differences between the two servers. Depending on the amount of differences between the two servers, this is probably not something you want to do regularly. If the amount of additional work isn’t to much, then follow the outlined steps: Transfer audio files if necessary, restore a recent backup, reapply the needed changes.
If I was doing this, I would copy all my local music files to a USB SSD to be taken back and forth from one location to the other. Plug this into the Roon server in use and make it the watched drive.
In addition, do a Roon database backup from the most recently used server to a USB HHD. Plug that drive into the second server and do a database restore.
Finally, as posted above, make any necessary changes to the Roon endpoints for the current location.
Many thanks for the answer. If I have understood correctly, I only need to change the path to the music library directory to the backup directory after the restore. In this case, I think I have a simple solution: a symbolic link in the /home directory pointing to the root directory of the music library, where the backup directory is also located, and named the same as the corresponding directory on the other server, should do the trick. I’ll test this tomorrow.
It’s not really what you described, but your words have shown me the way to the solution. Thank you very much!
I’m not sure what you mean, but never mix a backup directory with a watched music file directory. Only use a Roon database backup to restore a Roon database.
You are right. The directories are also separated. That’s quite all right. It now works as desired, apart from the fact that the restore does not work because none of the backups from the last month are displayed. However, the files are there and the last date on the hard drive is 27 September. When I call up the restore, however, the last date is 24 August.
There’s more: an automatic backup was created tonight, which is available on the hard drive. Roon also shows that it has been executed, but when I try to call it up in the restore, it is not there, only one that I created yesterday afternoon on a trial basis. Of course, there’s no point in creating backups if I can’t use them for the restore. But it seems that’s just the way it is.
I don’t understand what you’re complaining about with the backups. The backups themself aren’t part of the backup. Restoring a backup will therefor not restore the backups, like it will not restore your music files. You have to take care of properly copying backups between the two servers if needed.
As a general note: It seems to be easy to mess-up Roon’s backups by not paying (enough) attention to path (folder level). If you messed-up your backup folder, it may be best you delete it and the automatic backup job in Roon. Start over again from a fresh state. If you want to setup the backup job to use the same backup folder (a network share for example), please create and use separate sub-folders per server. Here again the hint that a backup is an exact copy but your two running servers are not. Please don’t try to mix the backup creation for the two by using the very same backup folder. Using a backup from one server to restore on the should work but this is a one-time task. The backup you restored from is no longer needed after the restore has finished and should be removed from the restored to server – it belongs to your other server after all.
I know. Only the music library is restored, not the files. And that’s what I want. The files are there, but I want my edits to the music library to be transferred. But this is not possible if the backup cannot be found. And in my case, it looks like most of the backups cannot be restored. I can see the corresponding directories and they also have the correct date, but only a small part of these backups appear in Roon. The last one is from 25 August, which means that the whole of September is missing, and tonight an automatic backup was made, which also cannot be found. I find that problematic.
You have not given any detailed information about the setup of your backup job, the folder paths involved, their contents or screenshots of what you see. So no hard facts given and helpers can therefor only give general advice.
Again, start over anew. Create a new automatic backup job pointed to a folder that does not contain previous backups (fresh or emptied folder). If you need more help, please post more details.
Roon database backup and restore works perfectly if you use them as intended.
Plug a USB HDD into the Roon server you are trying to backup. Do a backup of that Roon database to the USB HDD. You can do forced backups or scheduled backups.
When desired, move the USB HDD to your other Roon server. Do a Roon database restore. You can restore your most recent backup or a previous one if something is wrong with the most recent.
These Roon backups and restores are the Roon database only. This has nothing to do with your local music files.
Migrating RoonServer and migrating your local library are two separate processes, but you can prepare them at the same time.
Migrating involves the following steps:
Backup Roon database to an external drive
Uninstall RoonServer from computer 1
Install RoonServer on computer 2 and authorize RoonServer
Restore Backup from external drive on computer 2
See here:
This is a separate process from transferring your local library from one location to another, which involves copying/pasting your local library to a separate external storage location, deleting storage, and then re-adding it on the new RoonServer.
See here:
You will need to interlace these processes if you want to migrate frequently between databases without causing disruption.