[CaptainKen]

I understand how to use the "-p" option for the portable install of XBMC, which solved the problem of allowing the all users accounts on the same PC to share it.

However, is it possible to centralize the setup configuration AND userdata so that multiple PC's can have XBMC installed, but the actual setup and userdata would be stored/shared centrally? This would allow for all PCs to always be in sync with settings changes and database updates.

[Ned Scott]

See MySQL (wiki) for the safe way to share XBMC's databases.

[CaptainKen]

Great thank you!

I also just uncovered this lifehacker guide just in case anyone else comes across this thread.
http://lifehacker.com/5634515/how-to-syn...-the-house

[Martijn]

but the actual setup and userdata would be stored/shared centrally? This would allow for all PCs to always be in sync with settings changes and database updates.

This isn't advisable and can cause issues.
Use at own risk

[Ned Scott]

The lifehacker one is actually outdated (we used to link to it all the time, but eventually had to make our own guide). There's also a couple of alternative guides linked at the last page of the wiki guide, too.

[CaptainKen]

The lifehacker one is actually outdated (we used to link to it all the time, but eventually had to make our own guide). There's also a couple of alternative guides linked at the last page of the wiki guide, too.

I assume you mean this guide?
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=HOW..._libraries

[drpizznock]

The lifehacker one is actually outdated (we used to link to it all the time, but eventually had to make our own guide). There's also a couple of alternative guides linked at the last page of the wiki guide, too.

I assume you mean this guide?
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=HOW..._libraries

I believe this one is the current one.

[assweepai]

but the actual setup and userdata would be stored/shared centrally? This would allow for all PCs to always be in sync with settings changes and database updates.

This isn't advisable and can cause issues.
Use at own risk

Can you explain why?

I spent ten hours yesterday setting up and trying to get Frodo RC2 to read the mySQL database, and it just cannot connect to the database. I can connect using the same credentials from a mySQL client on the same machine as Frodo.

At this point I'm frustrated and wondering if I can't just mount a centrally located userdata folder to share between machines.

[Ned Scott]

It will corrupt the database.

[Fry7]

It will corrupt the database.

Because sqllite is not capable of keeping the database consistent due to multiple commits of more than one potential user being online might trigger?

[BikerDude]

Hello all

i just solved (thank to the guys on the forum) centralising my music playlists. wow i am happy as a clam.

as part of my setup i have all my media on a freenas server (now including the playlists) and now my 2 htpcs and 3 laptops all are using the same information. all machines are using the same version of Kodi.

I am the only user of this solution and i will have all my window user on all machines call the same (me).

I would like to achieve that i have the same look, feel and information across all pcs

I do not understand how and what benefit would i achieve in using mysql or mariadb in such an environment. 

can some one provide guidance on this or tell me that this is a pipe dream


can i use pathsubstitution to move my kodi userdata to freenas in a kodi userdata folder. 

in this way when a pc dies or needs to be re built i only need to download and reinstall kodi on that machine. I would only need to map my network drives on the machines  and off to the races

Thank you in advance

[Klojum]

I would like to achieve that i have the same look, feel and information across all pcs

Skins and their settings is a one-time thing in my experience. Normally you won't have weekly changes in them.
The external SQL database will only contain metadata of videos and/or music. All other (addon) data is stored locally per Kodi device.

can i use pathsubstitution to move my kodi userdata to freenas in a kodi userdata folder. 

You can try, but certainly not every add-on is compatible with external storage.
There is no official support on this type of add-on handling as Kodi was never designed to do/support this.

in this way when a pc dies or needs to be re built i only need to download and reinstall kodi on that machine. I would only need to map my network drives on the machines  and off to the races

Just keep a copy of all the necessary files somewhere safe, including the thumbnails cache folder. Or in case of LibreELEC, use the built-in backup/restore tool.

[BikerDude]

I would like to achieve that i have the same look, feel and information across all pcs

Skins and their settings is a one-time thing in my experience. Normally you won't have weekly changes in them.
The external SQL database will only contain metadata of videos and/or music. All other (addon) data is stored locally per Kodi device.

can i use pathsubstitution to move my kodi userdata to freenas in a kodi userdata folder. 

You can try, but certainly not every add-on is compatible with external storage.
There is no official support on this type of add-on handling as Kodi was never designed to do/support this.

in this way when a pc dies or needs to be re built i only need to download and reinstall kodi on that machine. I would only need to map my network drives on the machines  and off to the races

Just keep a copy of all the necessary files somewhere safe, including the thumbnails cache folder. Or in case of LibreELEC, use the built-in backup/restore tool. 

many thanks for this guidance i am retired and have nothing to do but to push the envelop of my knowledge and my wishful thinking