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Post by Tim on Mar 21, 2024 18:43:40 GMT
I've been having a right bunch of fun on my Linux journey, I've descended into the murky depths of writing my own software install scripts and automated backup scripts. After a fresh install of Debian 12 (or whatever other distribution I like) I just run the script and off it goes to download and install all the programs and games I like to use, deletes a bunch I don't want, installs and sets up my VPN performs a full system update and upgrade, all while I'm off making a cup of coffee, which by the time I come back is normally all done. After that I just run the restore script for my system backup and all my personal data, pictures, music and films are copied over . . proper nerdy  I'm now also able to do a bare minimum Debian install on my Intel NUC music server, with just the kernel & system utilities - no desktop environment/GUI or extra software packages. When it's finished I end up with a black screen and a blinking cursor at the top saying Debian GNU/Linux Debian 12 debian login: In this state the install is under 2GB on disk and uses less than 400 mb of RAM to run. What's the point in that your'e probably thinking, well the next task is to see if I can find a way to run JRiver Media Center without anything other than a very basic window manager just for JRiver, with nothing else installed or running. It would be great if I didn't need anything other than that and to access JRiver from a web browser or the JRemote app (like Volumio or a Rendu does) . . . . I'm not sure if it's possible, but we'll see? |
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Post by Tim on Mar 23, 2024 20:28:44 GMT
This might be of some interest to stellabagpuss as I've made 'some' progress into getting a very lightweight Linux based JRiver MC31 music server running . . still work to do though!
I've worked out that Debian 11 is a lighter install than Debian 12 and as MC31 was coded for Debian 11 (Bullseye), it makes sense to use that. A baseline Debian 11 install on my test hardware is just over 1.2 GB and uses 349MB of RAM with basic system utilities.
Today I installed the i3 Window Manager which is the first window manager I've used. It's not simple for a new user as there's nothing there to start with apart from a thin ribbon panel at the bottom with time, date, IP address and a system resource usage summary. You then have to install individual elements on top of that as it's bare bones, totally bare bones, not even a terminal. I think I'll also need to write some config files to get everything playing nicely, but it's all new to me at the moment. I might even need to read the manual!
So far I've installed LightDM as the front-end to log me in, a File Manager (Thunar) to administer the FLAC music library, a Terminal, a text editor and a test install of JRiver MC31, which has indexed a small music library - that's it, just those individual elements on top of the kernel and a minimal Debian 11 install - no desktop environment.
I now have to work out a way to get JRiver to auto-start when the system boots, plus install a Network Manager and configure some sort of power management profile, so I can shut it down by using the power button, rather than a hard forced shutdown. At the moment I have to use the Terminal and type sudo shutdown now
If I'm thinking the right way, once I've got those bits sorted, that should be it? In it's current state it uses 540MB running - headless it might be less as there won't be a display, mouse or keyboard attached. Adding a Network Manager and some sort of power control will no doubt up that, but not by much - might be as low as 300MB without a display, but that's a guess as I don't know if a Ryzen APU still pools system RAM if there isn't a monitor attached.
Whether it'll make any difference to the sound quality is questionable, but it certainly can't harm it
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 23, 2024 21:25:12 GMT
Well...Well Tim... You couldn't leave it alone 🤣.
Will be interesting to find out if there is an audio improvement 🤔
For myself, it would be a step too far. l mainly use Jriver headless, however l don't leave the server on, and also occasionally use a monitor to drag files across from my other server.
Let us know any update,and there any audio improvements.
Damien
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Post by Tim on Mar 23, 2024 22:50:40 GMT
Well...Well Tim... You couldn't leave it alone 🤣. Ha, yes indeed.
It wasn't actually intentional as my JRiver server is working fine and as you probably know I leave it running 24/7. It's got Debian 12 with Xfce on it right now and it's never once let me down. I always seem to defer to Xfce for the server as it's minimal, but it still isn't minimal enough. It's always bothered me installing a full desktop environment just to run JRiver as there are so many other services running in the background, about 800MB RAM at idle, just under a gig with JRiver running. Still significantly lighter than a Windows install, but a lot for Linux IMO.
As I continue to learn about stuff for my main PC, I thought I could use that knowledge to scratch my itch regarding the music server. I'm currently switching everything over to Debian now from LMDE6 . . . which for me is the perfect fit. Debian allows you to do so much if you want to. It's been a long time since I've actually enjoyed using my PC, it just used to piss me off with Windows - felt more like a leased terminal someone else was controlling rather than 'my computer'. Probably doesn't bother most people, but it did me!
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Post by Tim on Mar 23, 2024 23:37:05 GMT
This is what you are presented with when you boot into the i3 Window Manager for the first time Damien;  Had me scratching my head for awhile as nothing happens, left clicking or right clicking the mouse does nothing, you don't even get that bar up the top until you hit the Super (Windows) key + D on the keyboard . . . I really should try reading the manual!
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Post by Tim on Mar 25, 2024 13:00:18 GMT
For myself, it would be a step too far. I'm starting to think that myself too actually! I have managed to get a basic setup configured (just for a test), no power management or auto-start of JRiver, just a manually controlled example for a trial and to be honest I can't actually discern any difference. It's not a great test as I can't switch back and forth quickly, I have to shut everything down, change over the SSD and boot it all up again, so there's quite a time gap between listening - so not a very good trial. But nothing jumps out as being different, so I think I'll probably stick with a very bare bones Debian 11 and minimal Xfce desktop installation, which is much easier to manage. It's a leaner setup that I had with Debian 12 anyway, so I've certainly not lost anything by doing it and learnt a fair bit more along the way. An interesting experiment but it'd be more work maintaining it going forward for what seems like zero gain . . . on my system at any rate, which is pretty low rent compared to other forum members. |
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 25, 2024 13:30:21 GMT
Well Tim, l know what it's like, but hey ...you tried and got it out of your system. Personally I think you get to a point on PC or NUCs that it's more of challenging to reduce RF noise than the operating system. But it all counts, chalk it down to an educational day.
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Post by Tim on Mar 25, 2024 13:55:18 GMT
I think with a network bridge the computer and OS is much less important than if you plug it straight into a DAC - I can definitely hear that, even with my cloth ears. Like you say, what else is in the chain becomes more relevant. Still I scratched the itch and it's gone, so job done |
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Post by MartinT on Apr 5, 2024 6:46:17 GMT
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