SSODS Introduction

SqueezeCenter is the successor of SlimServer. It powers a number of network digital music player: the SqueezeBox, the Transporter, the Duet (Controller and Receiver) and the Boom. There is a software player, SoftSqueeze, too. The open source (GPL) SqueezeCenter manages common digital audio formats (.mp3, .flac, .ogg, etc.) and streams them to the players.

Usually one would install SqueezeCenter on a PC, which, obviously, must be running when one wants to listen to music. However, this is not the preferred option of many users for different reasons (to name a few: energy consumption, noise, uncoolness, not living in a data centre).

There are a number of sophisticated Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices, which run on Linux and are powerful enough to run the software. An excellent example of this are the DiskStations and CubeStations series of NAS devices manufactured by Synology, Inc. (see where to buy).

SlimServer On DiskStation (SSODS) is an add-on to the DiskStation’s firmware (operating system) which provides the environment to run SqueezeCenter on it. The package installs using the firmware upgrade routine and does not require special hacking skills (although basic understanding of computers are handy). SSODS provides a web interface which allows for an easy installation and upgrading of the actual SqueezeCenter programme as well as to monitor system status and to configure various features.

SSODS might run on other PowerPC and ARM (Marvell Orion) based devices with minor modifications. An example on how to do this for a TurboStation is included.

Read more about the hardware SSODS runs on.

Should you consider installing SSODS be sure to read and consider the warnings.