Admin Interface - Mcaster1DNAS Documentation

Overview

The Mcaster1DNAS admin interface provides comprehensive control over your streaming server through a web-based interface. From managing listeners and sources to updating metadata and monitoring statistics, the admin interface gives you complete control over every aspect of your server.

Authentication Required: All admin functions require HTTP authentication. Use the admin username and password from your configuration file. Mount-specific functions can use either admin credentials or mount-specific credentials if configured.

Mount-Specific Admin Functions

These functions apply to specific mountpoints. Access them by specifying the mountpoint in the URL. The examples use 192.168.1.10:8000 as the server address.

Metadata Update

Update the metadata (song information) for a mountpoint. Supports all audio formats with ICY-META v2.1+ protocol enhancements in Mcaster1DNAS v2.5.1-rc1.

http://192.168.1.10:8000/admin/metadata?mount=/stream&mode=updinfo&song=Artist+-+Title

Parameters:

mount - The mountpoint to update (e.g., /stream, /live.ogg)
mode - Update mode (updinfo for song updates)
song - Song information (URL-encoded, use + for spaces)

Fallback Update

Configure or update the fallback mountpoint for automatic listener transfer when a source disconnects.

http://192.168.1.10:8000/admin/fallbacks?mount=/stream.ogg&fallback=/backup.ogg

Use Case: Prevent dead air by automatically moving listeners to a backup stream when the main source disconnects.

List Clients

Display all listeners currently connected to a specific mountpoint. Returns detailed XML data including IP addresses, connection times, and user agents.

http://192.168.1.10:8000/admin/listclients?mount=/stream

Kill Client

Disconnect a specific listener from a mountpoint. Useful for managing problem connections or enforcing listener limits.

http://192.168.1.10:8000/admin/killclient?mount=/stream&id=12345

Note: Get the client ID from the listclients output.

Move Clients

Transfer all listeners from one mountpoint to another without disconnection.

http://192.168.1.10:8000/admin/moveclients?mount=/old&destination=/new

Use Case: Switch between different quality streams or migrate listeners during server maintenance.

Kill Source

Disconnect a source client from a mountpoint.

http://192.168.1.10:8000/admin/killsource?mount=/stream

Warning: This will terminate the source connection immediately. All listeners will be moved to the fallback mountpoint if configured.

Server-Wide Admin Functions

These functions affect the entire server and require admin credentials (not mount-specific credentials).

Server Statistics

Retrieve comprehensive server statistics in XML format.

http://192.168.1.10:8000/admin/stats.xml

Includes connection counts, source information, listener counts, and mountpoint details. See Server Statistics for details.

List Mounts

Display all currently active mountpoints with their statistics.

http://192.168.1.10:8000/admin/listmounts

Reload Configuration

Reload the YAML configuration file without restarting the server (v2.5.1-rc1 feature).

http://192.168.1.10:8000/admin/reloadconfig

Note: Some settings require a full server restart. Configuration errors will be logged.

Web-Based Admin Interface

Mcaster1DNAS includes a web-based admin interface built with XSLT transformations. Access it at:

http://yourserver:8000/admin/stats.xsl

Features of the Web Interface

Real-time Statistics: Live server and mountpoint statistics
Listener Management: View and disconnect individual listeners
Source Management: Monitor and control source connections
Authentication Management: Manage listener authentication (htpasswd users)
Metadata Updates: Update song information through web forms
Custom Styling: Modify XSLT files in the admin/ directory to customize appearance

Programmatic Access

The admin interface can be accessed programmatically using HTTP requests. This enables:

Automated metadata updates from playout systems
Custom monitoring and alerting scripts
Integration with broadcasting automation software
RESTful API development using the XML endpoints
Custom dashboards and status pages

Example: Automated Metadata Update

#!/bin/bash
SONG="$(nowplaying-script)"
curl -u admin:password \
  "http://localhost:8000/admin/metadata?mount=/stream&mode=updinfo&song=${SONG}"

Security Considerations

HTTPS Recommended: Use SSL/TLS for admin interface access in production
Strong Passwords: Use complex passwords for admin accounts
IP Restrictions: Consider firewall rules to limit admin access
Audit Logs: Monitor access.log for admin activity
Mount Passwords: Use different passwords for each mountpoint

Next Steps: Learn about Server Statistics or explore Listener Authentication.