Need some help networking media device.

[adwilk]

Ok, I'll rep the bejeezus out of anybody that can help me with this. I know there are some IT guys here so I would greatly appreciate your help.

Here's what I want to do.

Our company keeps a lot of media files on a computer in one building. We would like to use a WD TV live to play said media files in another building.

I tried to set up a VPN but got lost before I got started. I'm willing to setup another box (server) if necessary. I was hoping that i could connect to a media share remotely to stream to WDTV or connect remotely to a folder to make a media share that WDTV can access...

Can this be done?

 

[sholling]

I'm a former IT guy and I'll take a swing at this. The WDTV Live is really designed for home so it doesn't really have a way to find a share on another subnet. There is no way to enter an IP address manually for the target share. But as long as you are on the same subnet as the server it should see a network share on the server with the music on it. But not knowing anything about your server I can't guaranty it. Not very helpful I know but I have no way of knowing how your network is configured.

If you're on different subnets then your only low budget choices are simple - an external drive hanging off the WD, add a drive to a PC that's on all the time and share it on the network, or setup a local network attached storage device.

Now for the legal disclaimer - I AM NOT A LAWYER. But as a former IT manager I can tell you that there are legal booby traps where you are going. You may not have any problems but disgruntled employees have reported employers for allowing the sharing of ripped music across their networks and companies have been sued. Those suits get people fired. In my LAYMAN's opinion there may be less legal risk to the company if you store legally obtained music on an external drive attached to the WD. Take my opinions for what they are worth (not much) and consult your own legal experts. Also be aware that youy company's IT guy may (probably will) come looking for your scalp for adding anything to the network.

 

[adwilk]

I'm a former IT guy and I'll take a swing at this. The WDTV Live is really designed for home so it doesn't really have a way to find a share on another subnet. There is no way to enter an IP address manually for the target share. But as long as you are on the same subnet as the server it should see a network share on the server with the music on it. But not knowing anything about your server I can't guaranty it. Not very helpful I know but I have no way of knowing how your network is configured.

If you're on different subnets then your only low budget choices are simple - an external drive hanging off the WD, add a drive to a PC that's on all the time and share it on the network, or setup a local network attached storage device.

Now for the legal disclaimer - I AM NOT A LAWYER. But as a former IT manager I can tell you that there are legal booby traps where you are going. You may not have any problems but disgruntled employees have reported employers for allowing the sharing of ripped music across their networks and companies have been sued. Those suits get people fired. In my LAYMAN's opinion there may be less legal risk to the company if you store legally obtained music on an external drive attached to the WD. Take my opinions for what they are worth (not much) and consult your own legal experts. Also be aware that youy company's IT guy may (probably will) come looking for your scalp for adding anything to the network.

Thanks... I have a couple questions but I'll address the legal part first. Its intended for our media. Video presentations, video slide shows, pictures, etc.

Is is possible to map a drive in the remote location, set up a separate VPN for a local computer to connect to and have it shared for the WD to find? We have another training center across the country and it would be great if they could do the same thing, ie: connect to our VPN and have their device access the constantly updated media. Thanks again....

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Hey adwilk,
Did you considered outside media hosting company? This will be much easier to setup, manage and scale to remote offices.

 

[sholling]

Is is possible to map a drive in the remote location, set up a separate VPN for a local computer to connect to and have it shared for the WD to find? We have another training center across the country and it would be great if they could do the same thing, ie: connect to our VPN and have their device access the constantly updated media. Thanks again....

Honestly having setup training rooms etc many times over the years in my opinion you'd be a lot better off using an inexpensive laptop or desktop PC instead of the WDTV. You'll have a lot more flexibility and you'll be storing the media locally. You can then map their drives on the network and keep the latest media synchronized from one location using low cost sync software like GoodSync. Just be careful when first setting up GoodSync. It's easy to accidentally tell it to erase a full folder. Always start by pushing (one-way sync) from the drive with the latest copies of the data.

 

[ivseenbetter]

Ok, I'll rep the bejeezus out of anybody that can help me with this.

Why does this sound dirty?

 

[fightinkraut]

Honestly having setup training rooms etc many times over the years in my opinion you'd be a lot better off using an inexpensive laptop or desktop PC instead of the WDTV. You'll have a lot more flexibility and you'll be storing the media locally. You can then map their drives on the network and keep the latest media synchronized from one location using low cost sync software like GoodSync. Just be careful when first setting up GoodSync. It's easy to accidentally tell it to erase a full folder. Always start by pushing (one-way sync) from the drive with the latest copies of the data.

I second the recommendation for Goodsync, I use it in conjunction with Roboform for passwords and it works very well.

Adwilk you didn't state just how much stuff you're storing, but you could considering using something like Dropbox to keep everything synchronized. 2GB free, $10 for 50GB, $20 for 100GB. It's much pricier than using an external, but it's bloody brilliant for keeping things synced.

 

[jinjuku]

What are the average file sizes?

How do you envision this working?

What is the data rate between the sites? Do both the sites simply have a DSL or Cable connection?

BTW, the WD TV isn't a net-workable device. It relies on local storage (this if from briefly going through the use guide).

 

[adwilk]

What are the average file sizes?

How do you envision this working?

What is the data rate between the sites? Do both the sites simply have a DSL or Cable connection?

BTW, the WD TV isn't a net-workable device. It relies on local storage (this if from briefly going through the use guide).

Files are anywhere from 1mb-1gb. I was hoping to have a WDTVL constantly hooked up to our projector in our conference room, hard-wire networked to a computer elsewhere in the building. I want that computer to talk to a "server" in our other location. We have a dedicated T1 in the first building, DSL in the other. The WDTV is networkable and uses DLNA/UpNp certification or something like that.

 

[jinjuku]

Files are anywhere from 1mb-1gb. I was hoping to have a WDTVL constantly hooked up to our projector in our conference room, hard-wire networked to a computer elsewhere in the building. I want that computer to talk to a "server" in our other location. We have a dedicated T1 in the first building, DSL in the other. The WDTV is networkable and uses DLNA/UpNp certification or something like that.

The WDTV Live has network support. The WDTV does not... Exactly which product do you have (model # if you could)?

NM you just said WDTVL (L for live) gotcha...

 

[adwilk]

The WDTV Live has network support. The WDTV does not... Exactly which product do you have (model # if you could)?

NM you just said WDTVL (L for live) gotcha...

basically, the boss man has been using the WDTVL in his house and is really comfortable using it... He wants to implement it into our training. If it can't be done, it can't be done.... But, it seems as if this is the solution he's after.

 

[jinjuku]

Yep with 1GB you will need to use GoodSync (I use that and RoboForm). Great product.

Is the DSL static or dynamic? What is the router/firewall at both locations? Is this something managed in house?

What firewalls were you trying to VPN with? I could have your VPN up and running in most likely 30 minutes...

PM me if interested with a ph# to call you at.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

One more option on the cheap is to use OrbCast Server and connect a laptop in second building/remote location.
OrbCast will automatically adjust it's video quality based on available bandwidth.

Syncing files imo is really not the best solution...

 

[jinjuku]

One more option on the cheap is to use OrbCast Server and connect a laptop in second building/remote location.
OrbCast will automatically adjust it's video quality based on available bandwidth.

Syncing files imo is really not the best solution...

Syncing is not a problem especially if you don't want to compromise on the video quality.

With Goodsync you can option to run it after hours. The problem with variance in a real time data connection could mean a stalled stream. Something that I hate everytime.

Now if you have it local, well then no worries.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'm not saying syncing will not work, but its just not elegant solution.
One more option they could have secured wifi bridge with directional antenna.
WPA2-AES hasn't been cracked yet...

Is it 100% secure? Nope, but It's cheap and fast

 

[jinjuku]

I'm not saying syncing will not work, but its just not elegant solution.
One more option they could have secured wifi bridge with directional antenna.
WPA2-AES hasn't been cracked yet...

Is it 100% secure? Nope, but It's cheap and fast

We will have to disagree on the elegance of syncing vs streaming. It's a question of 'how mission critical' is it.

I was also going to suggest a site to site directional antenna.

What are the distances? Do you have clear line of site?

 

[sholling]

Files are anywhere from 1mb-1gb. I was hoping to have a WDTVL constantly hooked up to our projector in our conference room, hard-wire networked to a computer elsewhere in the building. I want that computer to talk to a "server" in our other location. We have a dedicated T1 in the first building, DSL in the other. The WDTV is networkable and uses DLNA/UpNp certification or something like that.

Ok that's all doable with dedicated storage at each site. You can't play much across a T1 (1.5mbps) but you could setup a local server or a share on a PC that's left on all the time. The WD won't recognize a domain but it should be able to access an unsecured share on a local server. I've always just put idiot proof shortcuts on a conference room PC or laptop but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I'd just save the really large file transfers for evenings or weekends or snailmail update CDs. I push files from my main PC to the external drives on the WD.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

well, i guess with such bad pipes syncing might your best solution, however i still wont generally recommend it if pipes where bigger