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Using simple network

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Rjunke
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I am having zero success in setting up simple network using the documentation provided (SimpleNet_UG.pdf). I have tried using a web server on the internet and I have tried using IIS on my workstation (windows 7). Before you ask, I have verified that the device is able to see the network AND the internet. In an earlier test I assigned it a static IP from our network, loaded a playlist that references a RSS feed from my FrameChannel account and that works just fine. These are the steps I took, from the documentation, for first time setup. 1. Loaded Sync Spec Creator 2. Defined the URL for the web folder 3. Set the Sync Spec Type to 'Setup' 4. Loaded the saved current-sync.xml file to the SD card 5. Loaded the autorun-setup.brs (renamed to autorun.brs) file to the SD card 6. Created a directory named 'Pool' observing the text case on the SD card 7. Created the web folder with correct permissions and verified it in a web browser 8. Inserted the SD card in the slot on the Brightsign 9. Applied power 10. Waited for at least a half hour but NEVER saw any messages displayed to the screen which seems odd. The documentation makes absolutely no mention of what I should be seeing on the screen. So I continued on the assumption that the setup was successful These are the steps I took, from the documentation, to display one of the demos I grabbed from the Brightsign.biz site, specifically, the 'TransitionDemo_VGA_1024x768' demo 1. Loaded Sync Spec Creator 2. Defined the URL for the web folder 3. Set the Sync Spec Type to 'Data' 4. Added the files for the display to the Sync Spec 5. Made sure all files from the demo were loaded to the web folder including the autorun.brs 6. Uploaded the saved current-sync.xml file to the web folder 7. Loaded the saved current-sync.xml file to the SD card 8. Inserted the SD card into the Brightsign 9. Applied power 10. Again waited for at least a half hour but NEVER saw any messages displayed to the screen and never saw the demo. I did ping the Brightsign's IP address successfully. As I stated earlier, I verified that the Brightsign connects to the internet since I was able to have it display a RSS from my FrameChannel account. So, I then removed power, plugged the SD card into my PC to view the contents of the 'Pool' folder. The 'Pool' folder was empty which tells me the files were not downloaded from the web folder. So, now what could I be doing wrong and what should I be checking? <!-- s:x --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_mad.gif" alt=":x" title="Mad" /><!-- s:x -->    
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  • 0
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    RokuLyndon


    Are you using a compact unit? When's the best time to call you? Send me a message at <!-- e --><a href="mailto:support@brightsign.biz">support@brightsign.biz</a><!-- e -->.


    Unless you are using an HD2000, you should be using BrightAuthor to set this up. For BrightAuthor 1.2.0.13, here's a quick video that covers the topic:

    Simple Network with BrightAuthor 1.2.x
  • 0
    Avatar
    Rjunke


    We purchased a HD210 to evaluate.  The documents indicate that Simple Network can be used to set this up but if BrightAuthor can be used and is more intuitive and flexible I'd rather use that.

    I'm in the office now.  You can call me anytime.  Actually I have your direct email address as you have been part of a conversation to get us set up with Network Manager.    I'll send you an email with my direct number.   <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->
     
     
  • 0
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    Rjunke


    I viewed the video.  I hope I can interpret the meaning behind all the circular mouse cursor motions.  You really need audio with a video of this scope.  This could also be done with a technical document with screen shots and detailed instructions.    Don't mean to be critical but part of my background is technical instruction with curriculum development and its hard to pull in the thoughts of the presenter when as many senses as possible are not used.

    I'll give it a try.   <!-- s:
    --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_neutral.gif" alt=":
    " title="Neutral" /><!-- s:
    -->
     
     
  • 0
    Avatar
    RokuLyndon


    I'm very sorry, but I did record that with audio. Please send me an email at <!-- e --><a href="mailto:support@brightsign.biz">support@brightsign.biz</a><!-- e -->, and we can do a webex to get this covered.

    I'll redo the video.
  • 0
    Avatar
    Rjunke


    Lyndon,  as I mentioned I viewed the video and tried setting up a networked display with my HD210.  Well, I got the exact same issue, nothing happened after a very long time.

    So I then decided to search the forums for similar issues and saw this thread http://forums.roku.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=26011

    In the thread the user stated that there was a double forward slash before the file name that needed to be removed.  You stated "Mike, That error must have been caused by something else. The extra slash isn't a problem. It's always been there and is there in the 2.x beta. If I copy and paste the url with the xtra slash into my browser, it works fine."

    You are wrong.  I manually edited the SD files and the Network files removing that extra slash.  I updated the files on the server and the SD card, put the SD card back in the device and turned it on.  This time I saw a lot more Bsy light activity which I assume was the device downloading the files from the server, then it stated playing.

    I See this as conclusive proof that the the BrightAuthor and the SyncSpecCreator applications need to be corrected to show "no trailing slash".

    In my over 15 years experience as a web applications developer, double slashes like this are unpredictable not to mention non-standard and will cause problems in one browser and not another.  Yes, the device IS NOT a web browser but it DOES use the HTTP protocol which requires following W3C standards to reduce these unpredictable behaviors.  This is my opinion so take it for what it is worth.  <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->
     
     
  • 0
    Avatar
    Rjunke


    Just to followup.

    In BrightAuthor if you define the sign properties with a trailing slash this is what you get in the XML files:

    current-sync.xml
          <base>http://someserver.com/files/</base>
          <next>http://someserver.com/files//current-sync.xml</next>
          <link>http://someserver.com/files//Attract.mpg</link>
          <link>....any additional files....</link>

    autoplay.xml
          <serverURL>http://someserver.com/files/</serverURL>

    If you omit the trailing slash:

    current-sync.xml
          <base>http://someserver.com/files</base>
          <next>http://someserver.com/files/current-sync.xml</next>
          <link>http://someserver.com/files/Attract.mpg</link>
          <link>....any additional files....</link>

    autoplay.xml
          <serverURL>http://someserver.com/files</serverURL>

    In any case this is how these tags need to be formatted:
    current-sync.xml
          <base>http://someserver.com/files/</base>
          <next>http://someserver.com/files/current-sync.xml</next>
          <link>http://someserver.com/files/Attract.mpg</link>
          <link>....any additional files....</link>

    autoplay.xml
          <serverURL>http://someserver.com/files/</serverURL>
     
    The <base> and <server> tags need to show the trailing slash, but the <link> tags need to eliminate any double slashes before the file name.  As it is, after publishing the files, the XML must always be edited manually when networking the sign.
     
     
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