Possible to disable wireless?

[Senninha]

A question I have about the Sonos system is whether it is possible to run purely wired (i.e., not only "is it operable" (which I believe it is) but whether the wireless can be disabled altogether)?

I prefer to minimise EMF whenever possible, and in the case of Sonos hoped that it could run wired, with the Wi-Fi aspect off. Controller is likely to need to be on, (and therefore wireless) but at least that could be powered down when not listening to music?

Appreciate any advice.

Thanks

[buzz]

Senninha,

It's not possible to disable the RF. A fully wired system will minimize the number of transmissions. While the handheld controller sleeps, its RF section is disabled, but the ZonePlayers will still poll for controllers.

You'll be interested in this thread.

[Senninha]

Originally Posted by buzz

Senninha,

It's not possible to disable the RF. A fully wired system will minimize the number of transmissions. While the handheld controller sleeps, its RF section is disabled, but the ZonePlayers will still poll for controllers.

You'll be interested in this thread.

Thanks Buzz. The thread was interesting, although I wasn't looking for arguments for or against - I'm decided on the "minimise EMF" approach, just wondering how a SONOS fits with that.

In the event that the Sonos is switched off when not in use, does it re-index when switched on, or is it pretty much ready for use? In my house I have everything suspended to disk, with only the NAS on and spun-down, so I was hoping I could flick on a Sonos and be ready to go pretty quickly. That way 99% of the convenience is there, and cutting out 99% of the EMF.

Thanks very much for the pointers.

[buzz]

Originally Posted by Senninha

In the event that the Sonos is switched off when not in use, does it re-index when switched on, or is it pretty much ready for use? In my house I have everything suspended to disk, with only the NAS on and spun-down, so I was hoping I could flick on a Sonos and be ready to go pretty quickly. That way 99% of the convenience is there, and cutting out 99% of the EMF.

The music index, user options, playlists, and custom Internet Radio stations will survive accidental or intentional power cycles.

Since the SONOS intention was that ZonePlayers be left on 24/7, fast booting was not a design goal. I never timed things exactly, but it will require about a minute for a ZonePlayer to boot.

Usually, the SONOS system will reboot just fine, but if there are any fundamental problems with your network, they tend to be discovered at boot time. If you are powering down your modem and router, take care to restart the modem first, then the router, then the SONOS system. Plus, if you shut down the network, I'm wary of leaving the NAS running without a network. In my experience, NAS drives don't always pickup a new IP address when the network comes back up.

[Reno]

Originally Posted by buzz

Usually, the SONOS system will reboot just fine, but if there are any fundamental problems with your network, they tend to be discovered at boot time. If you are powering down your modem and router, take care to restart the modem first, then the router, then the SONOS system. Plus, if you shut down the network, I'm wary of leaving the NAS running without a network. In my experience, NAS drives don't always pickup a new IP address when the network comes back up.

Good info, especially considering the fact I will be moving into a new home very soon.

[Senninha]

Thanks buzz, appreciate the info.

[Richardo]

Originally Posted by buzz

Senninha,

It's not possible to disable the RF. A fully wired system will minimize the number of transmissions. While the handheld controller sleeps, its RF section is disabled, but the ZonePlayers will still poll for controllers.

You'll be interested in this thread.

Could this be implemented in a software upgrade? Would like to run it 100% cable.

RM

[easybe]

Personally I would also really really love the possibility to disable wireless as an option!

My new home will be equipped with GigBit-LAN in every corner and I see no point to have wifi-mesh-hotspots in every corner. The advantages of disabling are for me:
1) less power usage
2) more secure (at least felt )
3) no/less emissions
4) no/less interference with other wireless channels (e.g. wifi dect, gsm, etc...)

My only wireless data access in the house shall be an n-router (Fritz!) placed centrally in the building that follows a scripted on/off schedule for wifi and can optionally be enabled/diasabled via button or command from the DECT-Phone.

I see no drawback in going this way and using iPhone/ipod to control the system via wifi.

Still, if i want to use the sonos-controler, I can leave one ZP in the middle of the house with mesh-wifi activated, but still keep the ones in my bedrooms and bathrooms, etc disabled...


SO PLEASE...
Me and my wife would really love this option!!!

PS: My workaround of putting the ZPs, at least the ones in the bedroom behind a timer-equipped-power-outlet should work but surely is no great solution for such a great product.

PPS: Timers for deep-sleep/wake (with wifi off) would also be a little step in a good direction...


THX for reading...

[caliban]

With stuff like this:

http://www.lessemf.com/magnetic_shielding.html#273

I'd like to disable my wifi, too. I may just crack 'em open and disable the antennae, but another thought is to place them in a shielded container.

Wish we could just disable it.

[mark.carline]

I agree - Having the option to disable would be good.