Unitiserve demoting music store to share intermittently, so ripping impossible and software alternatives

Posted by: StanTheMan on 19 July 2018

Hi All

I have a Unitiserve SSD. So far, I seem to have spent more time attempting to deal with network problems than actually listening to music...! (at least the device plays cds). I started this as a beginner on networks and IT more generally. 
 
I have Virgin Superhub 3 and QNAP TS-412 NAS, with a TP-Link switch connecting the Unitiserve to the router.
 
I now have an intermittent error message on the NAS re DNS name resolution not working. In fact, previously, name resolution to the networked stores/shares did not work at one time and IP addresses had to be fixed in the names of each to achieve connection for the Naim software.   Access to network shares is being lost intermittently, stopping me from being able to rip cds to the NAS-what is causing this please? There must be simple diagnostic tests to tell me if the problem is the ISP provider, the Unitiserve, or the NAS?
The default gateway is set to come from the Virgin router and identical to the LAN IP. I don't know how to tell if there is an intermittent wired connection to the internet, but have not had such errors visible from my networked PC?
Also, the implications of incorrect or failing name resolution on DNS across my other networked devices is unclear to me? It is possible to run netview-type commands within Windows 10 and I am not aware of any such issues-assuming my PC is the default "master browser" on my network?
Something is also stopping access to the NAS music shares intermittently. It may or may not be the NAS causing this too. The NAS is networked. I therefore need someone who understands networking via Windows 10 please?

I need someone who understands domestic networks to help please-I only have a router and Windows 10 laptop otherwise on my basic network. I need to know which device(s) are causing these problems and be able to prove it to the manufacturer(s).
Also, the software packaged with the Unitiserve is sub-par. I rarely manage to have any cd rip with full metadata. Is there any other software that can fill in the gaps-in particular, I just had one cd on a Louis Prima box set that did not return results. All the others did and the album art etc is in AMG. As there is no way to force a return and pre-populate track information, surely some software must save starting with a blank entry? The Naim software only uses basic metadata anyhow?
 
Is there a hi-fi music player/receiver that just allows connection of an external hard drive and track selection, which would allow the problematic NAS communication to be taken out of the music replay process?
 
Finally, does anyone know of any software that reliably embeds the .XML files so that the cover art and metadata can be more widely read please? If there is nothing else out there that works well, perhaps we could pool resources and commission a developer to do this-it is apparently relatively straightforward?
 
Best wishes
 
Stephen
 
 

 

Posted on: 19 July 2018 by Phil Harris

Hi Stephen,

We have been in contact with each other at length for several years over this issue and it does seem that you have intermittent network connectivity issues that are causing the QNAP NAS to become unavailable on your network. We have seen this when I have been logged in remotely to you as the NAS has been inaccessible from both the UnitiServe and your PC.

We have repeatedly over that time offered to have your UnitiServe and NAS back here to confirm that they are working correctly and I would strongly urge you to do so so that we may progress your issue - unfortunately you so far have declined to do so.

Best Regards

Phil Harris