Browse for files that aren't in import directories

[dinki]

I have a NAS that I use for movies and music. I also have a directory on this drive for files that I would like to watch but I do not want these imported.

I would like to be able to browse these via Search ->Browse File System->Browse files on the SageTV Server(Local)

I cannot figure out how to do this. I've mapped the NAS as a drive on the server but it doesn't show up. Is there a way to add it? Is there any way to browse a UNC path from within the GUI?

[graywolf]

Try Browse File System->Browse files on the Network
and drill down from there
Or you can use ADM http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56395 plugin to map a Menu Item to that specific location

[dinki]

Originally Posted by graywolf

Try Browse File System->Browse files on the Network
and drill down from there

I don't see that option. I tried it on the sage server gui and on the hd200.

[graywolf]

When I do, Search ->Browse File System i get the following screen



Then I would Browse the local Network and drill down from there.

[dinki]

I definitely do not have the 'Browse the local Network' option on mine. I'm running the last release with the stock ui. What gives?

[graywolf]

Is Sage running as a Service? If so, as a User or LocalSystem?
LocalSystem will not see the network

From the Sage manual

Run Service as User: LocalSystem/UserName – By default, a service runs only on the
local system, so it does not have access to any network drives. If you wish to have
SageTV access a drive on another computer on your network, you will have to select
Change User in order to enter the name of a user account on your computer and the
user’s password – the user account must have a password in order for the service to be
able to use that account. See below for details regarding accessing network drives while
using the service.

Accessing Network Drives with the SageTV Service
If you wish to have SageTV access any network drives, keep in mind that a service cannot
access mapped drives, therefore network drives must be configured in SageTV as UNC Paths.
See Detailed Setup: General Settings regarding configuring video and media center import
directories.
UNC paths use a format of: \\ServerName\ShareName\DirectoryName, where ServerName is
the network name of the PC to be accessed, ShareName is the name of the shared path on the
networked PC, and DirectoryName is the name of the subdirectory below the shared location.

So, it has to be UNC, not Mapped in order for a Service to see network drives, AND Sage Service has to run as a UserID, not Local System.

Bet you are running as LocalSystem (default) most likely

[dinki]

That's probably it. I'll have to give it a look when I get home. Thanks for the help!

[graywolf]

Originally Posted by dinki

That's probably it. I'll have to give it a look when I get home. Thanks for the help!

Be sure to post back if that DID or DID NOT resolve it for you.

[dinki]

Nope. Didn't work. I changed it to log in as my user/pass and restarted the service. I'm still not seeing the browse network button. Any other ideas?

[graywolf]

Hmmmm, not sure but some troubleshooting thoughts would be:
(assuming the Sage Server is a Windows box)

1. Open Windows Explorer on Sage Server
2. Go to My Network....can you see/find your NAS? Can you see anything on your network?
3. Is the Sage Server in the same Workgroup as your NAS or other machines on your home network?
4. Are you on the same network submask?
5. Does your UserID have access to Network computers?
6. Is your NAS Shared?

[dinki]

Originally Posted by graywolf

Hmmmm, not sure but some troubleshooting thoughts would be:
(assuming the Sage Server is a Windows box)

1. Open Windows Explorer on Sage Server
2. Go to My Network....can you see/find your NAS? Can you see anything on your network?

I'm using win7 and I see my Buffalo LinkStation NAS under Media Devices

3. Is the Sage Server in the same Workgroup as your NAS or other machines on your home network?

Yes. Both members of WORKGROUP.

4. Are you on the same network submask?

yes

5. Does your UserID have access to Network computers?

I don't know if this is needed to connect to the NAS

6. Is your NAS Shared?

I guess so. I can see it on all my computers including Sage server.

Thanks for helping.. I appreciate it.

[graywolf]

Hmmm...not sure where to go from here.

Maybe check out the Sage V7 manual, or send in a support request to Sage.
http://www.sagetv.com/request.html

Would be interested in finding out what the solution is/was once you get it.

[farscapesg1]

Hmm.. I've noticed the same problem since moving to v7. Under version 6 while using the SageMC STV I could browse network shares on the server or the extenders. Under v7, the browse network option is not available for either the server or the extenders.. but it is available a system running the client version. To me that shows it is a problem related to the SageTVService.

I'm currently using a user account for the SageTV Service on the server (not localservice) that I use to log into the Windows 7 box it is running on.

When I get a chance I may try disabling the service and see if it works when starting up just with the GUI....

[dinki]

That'd be great. I sent a support request so I guess it's just a waiting game now.

[darcilicious]

Strangely enough, I can browse the network from the system with the server installed (running as a service and as a specific user) but not on a Windows 7 client (running as the same user) Something goofy is going on...

[jusjoken]

I am no expert on this but I checked the STV code that determines if the network option should display or not. The line of code is...

NetworkRoots = jcifs_smb_SmbFile_listFiles(new_jcifs_smb_SmbFile("smb://"))

It also sends the results to the log so you can turn debug logging on and check the client log and look for the text... "File Browser -- NetworkRoots" to see what the result is.

and hopefully given that info someone else will know what it means as I am sure I won't.

Hope that helps.

k

[Fuzzy]

windows 7 added some extra security options that I'm not sure samba/jcifs has fully handled. If you are wanting to use these older api's (like what sage uses) you are most likely going to have to disable those newer security features.

in Win7's Network and Sharing Center, choose Change Advanced Sharing Settings. In your Home or Work network policy, make sure Network Discovery is turned ON. Also choose Enable file sharing for devices that use 40- or 56-bit encryption. Finally, you can try turning off password protected sharing, and see if that gets the list.

[graywolf]

Ah...I'm still Win XP which could explain why I'm not seeing the issue.
What Fuzzy said makes sense.

[ranger]

If it is Windows 7 related, it is a particular use case. I have Windows 7 64 bit and can browse the network without any problems from Sage.

[dinki]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

windows 7 added some extra security options that I'm not sure samba/jcifs has fully handled. If you are wanting to use these older api's (like what sage uses) you are most likely going to have to disable those newer security features.

in Win7's Network and Sharing Center, choose Change Advanced Sharing Settings. In your Home or Work network policy, make sure Network Discovery is turned ON. Also choose Enable file sharing for devices that use 40- or 56-bit encryption. Finally, you can try turning off password protected sharing, and see if that gets the list.

Thanks for the tips. I had everything set like you mentioned with the exception of the 40- or 56-bit encryption. I changed that and still no go ...