Chapter 6 Networking

The SB comes in a wired-only model and wired+wireless model. It is generally more convenient to use wireless Ethernet and locate the server PC away from the listening area to eliminate fan and drive noise.

You might be able to use 802.11b. 802.11g is preferred since it has 5 times the network bandwidth as 802.11b. Some people have reported latency problems using 802.11b and FLAC while others have not. If you have an existing 802.11b network, it is worth an attempt to see if works. If you will be buying new hardware anyway to create your wireless network, 802.11g is a no-brainer (related link).

A wireless access point provides wireless connectivity to wireless clients such as the SB. A wireless router encompasses an access point while routing traffic between wired and wireless network segments. A wireless router usually handles the network connection to your Internet Service Provider as well.

• Linksys WRT54G Ver.4 and below

  Warning: Do not use the Linksys WRT54G Ver.5. It is flaky.

• Netgear 614

• Netgear MIMO

• SMC Barricade

• D-Link DGL-4300 Wireless Gaming Router

  Warning: Do not use the D-Link DI-624 Rev.C. It is very flaky.

Use a static IP address for your squeezebox and slimserver versus DHCP.

Put the wireless router as high as possible in your home (not in the basement).

You and your neighbor could be sharing the same wireless frequency (channel), causing interference and poor connectivity. Use Netstumbler or Macstumbler to detect neighboring networks and adjust the channel on your wireless router to avoid the conflict.

2.4 GHz cordless phones can interfere with 802.11 networks. Channel 11 reportedly conflicts with 2.4 GHz phones less often. Do not place the base station near your wireless router. Consider using 900 MHz phones. Newer 5.8 GHz phones still use the 2.4 GHz frequency for signaling, so they are not a panacea.

Microwave ovens use the same unlicensed spectrum as 802.11. Try channels 1 or 2 on your wireless router as they tend to interfere with microwave ovens less often.

Users have reported problems with the SB3 and 802.11g “double speed” technology that purports to transfer data at 108 Mbps. Turn off that option in your router if you are having problems.

No. Signal strength affects latency and throughput, not audio quality. If your music is not skipping or stuttering, your SB is getting all the bits.

Use WPA to secure your wireless network. WEP is easy to defeat. MAC address filtering and SSID cloaking are not effective against determined crackers. If you use WPA, the latter two options are moot. WPA isn't bulletproof, but it is probably adequate for most consumers.

It is most likely a networking problem. Ensure slimserver is running and that your server is not under duress. Check your firewall to see if it is blocking the connection. Try using an Ethernet cable instead of wireless to isolate the problem. Do not use homemade Ethernet cables. Check your wireless signal strength using the slimserver HTML interface under "Player Settings".