Using B2 as a NAS with Sonos. Android app.

[Chris Donnelly]

I'm trying to use the b2 as a NAS with new sonos speakers. I can see the music on the web ui and the speakers 'Kitchen' appear on the Web UI. However I cant seem to work out how to add the brennan b2 to my music library. I put in the IP address, type root, then brennanb2 in the next 2 boxes, but the OK box remains greyed out.

Possibly as a rsult of this(?) no tracks will play through the sonos.

[Russell...@hotmail.com]

Hi Chris - I think you may need to put the password on as "brennan" without quotes not "brennanb2" - Cheers Russ

[Chris Donnelly]

Thanks for the reply Russell. I tried that too. It might be to do with the fact it is an SD card b2 rather than a hard drive B2??

[Russell...@hotmail.com]

Hi Chris - below is a very detailed but good step by step guide from fellow user Peter Lowham - see if this helps with your personal set up - it is taking things right from the start to establish NAS properly so some steps you may have already done. Cheers Russ

To enable NAS on B2 and PC, if you can follow the steps below you should be able to get NAS running between your PC and the B2.  I have included three images ('Snips') of the Windows 'Map Network Drive' process to hopefully make it easier to see what should be happening.

1. On the B2 -- 'Main menu' check the scrolling display for 'IP Address' and note this down (something like '192.168.1.56').

2. On the B2, check your current version of software; on the B2 Remote, press 'Info' twice - good if your version is 09 Jan 2020 or newer. 

3. On the B2, go to  'Settings->Maintenance->Start NAS' (you only have to do it once). This is to enable NAS on B2.

4.  On your PC, open Windows Explorer as shown in Snip-1 attachment.

    In the left side panel, locate the icon 'This PC' (or could be your PC name as in the example in the attached snips (in my case 'PL-Laptop').

5. Right-click on this icon and select 'Map network drive'.

6. In the 'Map Network Drive' panel, fill out the fields as shown in Snip-2 attachment. Use the IP address that you noted in step 2 above.

7. In the 'Folder' field, enter '\\192.168.1.56\music' without the quotes but substitute your IP address for the one shown here.

8. Tick box 'Reconnect at Sign In'.

9. DO NOT select 'Browse'; select 'Finish'.

10. A Windows Security panel 'Enter Network Credentials will open up.  Enter 'root' for User and 'brennan' for the password (without the quotes) as shown in Snip-3 attachment.

11. Tick box 'Remember my credentials' and click on 'OK'.

An Explorer window should open up showing your B2 'music' files on your PC..

You now have a NAS connection running between your B2 and your PC.  You can manipulate, move, copy music (and other files) to and from your B2.

Good luck!  If you have any problems, let us know here and we'll try to assist.

Regards,

Peter.

[Chris Donnelly]

This was helpful. When I add music, I can at least press the ok button. Nothing happens, but it feels like progress. Still need to work out how to get it to read sd card. It might not be possible...

[Russell...@hotmail.com]

Hi Chris - Just to be sure, are you set up with your B2 as a NAS and can see it on Windows explorer - or your relevant operating system. I am just not too sure why you mention the SD card,  as that only holds the B2 operating system and if the B2 is booting up OK then all should be well with that. Once the B2 is on your home network as NAS then Sonos and B2 should be able to see each other - however maybe I have misunderstood your issue and am confusing the matter. Cheers Russ

[Chris Donnelly]

thanks Russell. I have an unusual b2. It has no hard drive, only a removable SD card. It is set up as a NAS. i can see it from my phone in the browser. They can see each other. My theory is that

 Im putting in the wrong folder name in the box shown above, but I may be way off.

[Chris Donnelly]

Also, this error comes up...

[Russell...@hotmail.com]

Hi Chris - Just a thought on your previous comment - is the folder structure naming within Windows as follows

Network\BrennanB2\Music\Artist\Album\Tracks - using backslash and not forward slash, as I think sometimes folks have entered the slash the wrong way around. Cheers Russ

[PMB]

Hi Chris,

If you download the latest software you can play music from the B2 directly to Sonos speakers without all the 'add a library' stuff. The B2 is control of what's played and you can still use the B2's web UI.

More details here.

Paul

Brennan Support.