Home Servers\Homelabs: NAS, Plex, & Everything Else

[Macallik86]

Dope thread. I'm in the early stages of learning about this. I don't really need the extra storage and don't have a lot of digital media, but I think it would be a fun project to keep myself entertained.

Current Devices & Storage

Spoiler: Perhaps unnecessary addtl info

Refurb Lenovo M81 Desktop

• 250 GB HDD
• 8 GB RAM
• 32 GB SD Card serving as backup media for underutilized desktop

HP x360 Chromebook

• Daily driver that I am on 99% of the time
• 64 GB eMMC storage
• 32 GB SD Card for backing up a Linux container I run on my Chromebook (aka Crostini)

Samsung Tablet

• 64 GB Storage
• 32 GB SD Card for storing media

Roku TV (with DVR+ attached)

• 128 GB USB stick for live recording capabilities
• I have connected a Chromecast
• 1TB external hard drive connected to DVR+. (It allows me to record free over-the-air TV but I haven't used this in months)

Current Situation

• My desktop shares all of its files on the LAN. I've connected via my Chromebook so far and it is noticeably slow for larger files.

Ideal Goals

• Ability to connect to my desktop or a NAS to save backups of Chromebook's Linux Container (~5GB but I technically could use the 'split' Linux package to break down tarballs into more manageable chunks)
• Rip my DVD collection and have them accessible through my Roku TV or tablet
• Convert over-the-air recordings to be accessible through Roku or another streaming media platform (Plex?) instead of my DVR+ which requires a separate TV input & remote control. I may decommission my DVR+ and use the external hard drive elsewhere.
• Ability to share raw eBook files across devices (might be do-able already thanks to the smaller size)

Questions

• Unsure if the slow speed has to do with desktop's HDD storage, my 25mpbs internet speed, the fact that my desktop doesn't have a wired connection or a combination of all of these factors?
• I've got my eye on buying a NAS Router and connecting my external drive (USB 3.0) to the router's USB 3.0 port but will that even make a difference at this point?

 

[bnew]

Dope thread. I'm in the early stages of learning about this. I don't really need the extra storage and don't have a lot of digital media, but I think it would be a fun project to keep myself entertained.

Current Devices & Storage

Spoiler: Perhaps unnecessary addtl info

Refurb Lenovo M81 Desktop

• 250 GB HDD
• 8 GB RAM
• 32 GB SD Card serving as backup media for underutilized desktop

HP x360 Chromebook

• Daily driver that I am on 99% of the time
• 64 GB eMMC storage
• 32 GB SD Card for backing up a Linux container I run on my Chromebook (aka Crostini)

Samsung Tablet

• 64 GB Storage
• 32 GB SD Card for storing media

Roku TV (with DVR+ attached)

• 128 GB USB stick for live recording capabilities
• I have connected a Chromecast
• 1TB external hard drive connected to DVR+. (It allows me to record free over-the-air TV but I haven't used this in months)

Current Situation

• My desktop shares all of its files on the LAN. I've connected via my Chromebook so far and it is noticeably slow for larger files.

Ideal Goals

• Ability to connect to my desktop or a NAS to save backups of Chromebook's Linux Container (~5GB but I technically could use the 'split' Linux package to break down tarballs into more manageable chunks)
• Rip my DVD collection and have them accessible through my Roku TV or tablet
• Convert over-the-air recordings to be accessible through Roku or another streaming media platform (Plex?) instead of my DVR+ which requires a separate TV input & remote control. I may decommission my DVR+ and use the external hard drive elsewhere.
• Ability to share raw eBook files across devices (might be do-able already thanks to the smaller size)

Questions

• Unsure if the slow speed has to do with desktop's HDD storage, my 25mpbs internet speed, the fact that my desktop doesn't have a wired connection or a combination of all of these factors?
• I've got my eye on buying a NAS Router and connecting my external drive (USB 3.0) to the router's USB 3.0 port but will that even make a difference at this point?

Use a SSD for your main OS and store files on a HDD. you'll see faster desktop performance. not sure i understand, your ISP package maxes out at 25mbps down or your desktop can only do 25mbps? If it's the latter than try using 5ghz connection or configure your router to use different channel on 2.4ghz . 2.4ghz is a crowded and it's common to experience terrible speeds when theres a ton of routers around configured similarly.

use wifi inspector to see what other channels routers are broadcasting on and set yours to the least used channel.

Wi-Fi Inspector Download thank you - Cambium Networks %

 

[Dat Migo]

dbl

 

[GoldenGlove]

I'm currently running a straight forward setup.

PC + Plex and just update the folder and play content to my TVs. Living room I use my ShieldTV, and in my studio I use my PS4's Plex app. Pleasantly surprised, that the PS4 no longer blocks my movies when I use Plex, years ago that used to be a problem.

 

[DrDoom]

I have two dell precision 7810s

Both with 2 xeon processors
32 and 48GB of ddr3 ecc ram
120gb ssds

Win10 file server
Has a 6TB and a 4TB hdd
Nvidia quadro k600

Win server 2019 - Media Server running Plex media server
Has 2 10TB hdd
Nvidia quadro p2000

 

[xXMASHERXx]

Questions

• Unsure if the slow speed has to do with desktop's HDD storage, my 25mpbs internet speed, the fact that my desktop doesn't have a wired connection or a combination of all of these factors?
• I've got my eye on buying a NAS Router and connecting my external drive (USB 3.0) to the router's USB 3.0 port but will that even make a difference at this point?

Are you serving the media using something like Plex/Emby or do you just access the files from a share? Your internet connection isn't the problem. Not having a wired connection and the system that is serving the files not running from a SSD is definitely going to contribute to slowdown. I would look into hardwiring the desktop. You could put it near the router and then setup remote access so you can manage it from your chromebook.

 

[shutterguy]

Glad I found this thread, I poster over in the PC thread but I feel things get buried with all the pages over there. I have 2 Drobo DAS and NAS units. The NAS unit, 5N2, just got a few days ago. Setup was fairly simple although a bit confusing as I new to NAS units. The Drobo desktop app has you setup a password for access and you can configure shares, I haven't setup any as I am the only one accessing the drive. The Drobo android app is ridicously slow even on my own home network. Ditched that and am using File Manager +, much faster.

Using this unit as a media server along with storage. I have some tv's, blu-ray players, and a reciever that can access the drive using DLNA, however I found that MKV files were not playable. A little research led me the PS3 Media Server app, ran it, it found my devices and now everything is playable through the devices and their own media players. I tried an Android TV box with Kodi, had trouble with stuttering/jumpy frames.

One of the things I can not for the life of me figure out is why there is 2 different locations in Windows for the Drobo box in Network Locations. The one with the Drobo icon I can't drag and drop anything to it, it just has libraries in it: Movies/Music/Docs etc. The Public one I can go in and create folders and drop data into it. If anyone knows, let me know, like I said this is new to me.

 

[Hersh]

anyone sharing there plex?

 

[xXMASHERXx]

One of the things I can not for the life of me figure out is why there is 2 different locations in Windows for the Drobo box in Network Locations. The one with the Drobo icon I can't drag and drop anything to it, it just has libraries in it: Movies/Music/Docs etc. The Public one I can go in and create folders and drop data into it. If anyone knows, let me know, like I said this is new to me.

It looks like you have Network Discovery turned on (feature in WIndows that allows computers/devices to find each other on a network) so the first icon is just your PC finding the 5N2. Which is why you can see the different folders but not move anything into them. The second location is an actual share on the 5N2.

As for the stuttering while playing files, it might be due to the android box not having enough power to transcode the files. I don't know if it possible but might want to look into installing Plex or EMBY on the 5N2.

 

[shutterguy]

It looks like you have Network Discovery turned on (feature in WIndows that allows computers/devices to find each other on a network) so the first icon is just your PC finding the 5N2. Which is why you can see the different folders but not move anything into them. The second location is an actual share on the 5N2.

As for the stuttering while playing files, it might be due to the android box not having enough power to transcode the files. I don't know if it possible but might want to look into installing Plex or EMBY on the 5N2.

Yea, doing some research in setting it up, I had to turn on Network Discovery, I think Win 10 has it off by default. Makes sense with the icon now that you explained it, when I turn on the tv for example and pick a source the Drobo Icon shows and I can browse it. In setting up the 5N2 none of my a/v devices could see it until I installed the DLNA app on it. I wasn't sure why, an IT friend explained to me that the a/v devices aren't like a pc, no IP to plug in and access the 5N2, the DLNA make its so they can see each other and share content. Again, I'm in the NAS learning stages.

I think you might be right about the Android box. I have Plex, haven't used it in forever. I will look into Emby. Much appreciated on the info.

 

[xXMASHERXx]

Yea, doing some research in setting it up, I had to turn on Network Discovery, I think Win 10 has it off by default. Makes sense with the icon now that you explained it, when I turn on the tv for example and pick a source the Drobo Icon shows and I can browse it. In setting up the 5N2 none of my a/v devices could see it until I installed the DLNA app on it. I wasn't sure why, an IT friend explained to me that the a/v devices aren't like a pc, no IP to plug in and access the 5N2, the DLNA make its so they can see each other and share content. Again, I'm in the NAS learning stages.

I think you might be right about the Android box. I have Plex, haven't used it in forever. I will look into Emby. Much appreciated on the info.

Yeah when it comes to a NAS, non-computer devices can't see the files unless there is a share of some sort.
I don't know anything about Drobo but QNAP and Synology have a Plex app that you can install so they can act as media servers. Drobo might havr something similar.

 

[Macallik86]

Dope thread. I'm in the early stages of learning about this. I don't really need the extra storage and don't have a lot of digital media, but I think it would be a fun project to keep myself entertained.

Current Devices & Storage

Spoiler: Perhaps unnecessary addtl info

Refurb Lenovo M81 Desktop

• 250 GB HDD
• 8 GB RAM
• 32 GB SD Card serving as backup media for underutilized desktop

HP x360 Chromebook

• Daily driver that I am on 99% of the time
• 64 GB eMMC storage
• 32 GB SD Card for backing up a Linux container I run on my Chromebook (aka Crostini)

Samsung Tablet

• 64 GB Storage
• 32 GB SD Card for storing media

Roku TV (with DVR+ attached)

• 128 GB USB stick for live recording capabilities
• I have connected a Chromecast
• 1TB external hard drive connected to DVR+. (It allows me to record free over-the-air TV but I haven't used this in months)

Current Situation

• My desktop shares all of its files on the LAN. I've connected via my Chromebook so far and it is noticeably slow for larger files.

Ideal Goals

• Ability to connect to my desktop or a NAS to save backups of Chromebook's Linux Container (~5GB but I technically could use the 'split' Linux package to break down tarballs into more manageable chunks)
• Rip my DVD collection and have them accessible through my Roku TV or tablet
• Convert over-the-air recordings to be accessible through Roku or another streaming media platform (Plex?) instead of my DVR+ which requires a separate TV input & remote control. I may decommission my DVR+ and use the external hard drive elsewhere.
• Ability to share raw eBook files across devices (might be do-able already thanks to the smaller size)

Questions

• Unsure if the slow speed has to do with desktop's HDD storage, my 25mpbs internet speed, the fact that my desktop doesn't have a wired connection or a combination of all of these factors?
• I've got my eye on buying a NAS Router and connecting my external drive (USB 3.0) to the router's USB 3.0 port but will that even make a difference at this point?

So... I did none of that lol.

I have an external hard drive connected to my desktop and I added it as a discoverable network in Windows, and so I have mpv across my devices and use that to stream videos across LAN. I also use SSH, SSHFS & SMB to share files across my Chromebook/Desktop (don't ask me to set that shyt up again tho)

With that said, I am looking to dip my toes in this again and create more of a home server. I can't be bothered to buy another computer tho, so I'm thinking I'll just use my current desktop as a server, and just suck it up when it has to reboot. Here's what I plan to download:

1. Google Photos Replacement
1. Immich
2. Organize yt-dlp downloaded videos w/ a better UI
1. Jellyfin
3. Audiobook/Podcast Server
1. It's either going to be audiobookshelf or this other podcast service that has functionality to create multiple RSS feeds which I liked
4. Nextcloud to replace Google Drive
5. AdGuard to remove popups permanently
6. RSS Reader to replace Feedly

I've tried to load docker on my chromebook (failed) and my desktop (failed). The desktop is the one I'm willing to troubleshoot. I have a feeling it has to do with the daemon on the backend not working, likely due to a conflict w/ the wsl1 container so I'll have to do some google searching and tinkering there.

It's always a lot more effort than they mention online lol but fwiw, that's the only thing keeping me from digging deeper at this point. I managed to fit most of what I need on a regular basis on either my Chromebook or my desktop's 250GB SSD, so I have ~1TB of space between two HDDs available to put to use and this seems like the perfect project

 

[TripleAgent]

Finally replaced my NAS. Seeing if any Coli brehs would be interested before I put it on CL/Ebay.

Synology DS416play
8GB RAM upgrade
4x 8TB WD Red NAS HDD

 

[shutterguy]

Just sold my Drobo 5C, 5N2 was sold earlier since the company is now out of business. Been rocking this Synology DS920+ since last year, rock solid and fast.

 

[xXMASHERXx]

So... I did none of that lol.

I have an external hard drive connected to my desktop and I added it as a discoverable network in Windows, and so I have mpv across my devices and use that to stream videos across LAN. I also use SSH, SSHFS & SMB to share files across my Chromebook/Desktop (don't ask me to set that shyt up again tho)

With that said, I am looking to dip my toes in this again and create more of a home server. I can't be bothered to buy another computer tho, so I'm thinking I'll just use my current desktop as a server, and just suck it up when it has to reboot. Here's what I plan to download:

1. Google Photos Replacement
1. Immich
2. Organize yt-dlp downloaded videos w/ a better UI
1. Jellyfin
3. Audiobook/Podcast Server
1. It's either going to be audiobookshelf or this other podcast service that has functionality to create multiple RSS feeds which I liked
4. Nextcloud to replace Google Drive
5. AdGuard to remove popups permanently
6. RSS Reader to replace Feedly

I've tried to load docker on my chromebook (failed) and my desktop (failed). The desktop is the one I'm willing to troubleshoot. I have a feeling it has to do with the daemon on the backend not working, likely due to a conflict w/ the wsl1 container so I'll have to do some google searching and tinkering there.

It's always a lot more effort than they mention online lol but fwiw, that's the only thing keeping me from digging deeper at this point. I managed to fit most of what I need on a regular basis on either my Chromebook or my desktop's 250GB SSD, so I have ~1TB of space between two HDDs available to put to use and this seems like the perfect project

Just a word of advice, if you really want to go down this route, do it properly. The reason why it's more effort than they mention online is because you don't have a proper understanding of what you are trying to do. Not taking a shot at you just trying to help you understand. You say you're going to use your desktop as a server, what OS is it running? Are you planning to have the desktop server media to multiple systems? Are you going to be using ADGuard DNS or just regular ADGuard? Sounds like an fun project but you might want to do some more research. Not trying to discourage you, these types of projects are really fun and anyone who likes learning and technology should definitely try it at least once. Good luck with your project. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I'm sure there are multiple people on this forum who can help



I don't think I ever posted my setup but currently I have a Dell T5610 with Dual Xeon E5-2650, 128 gigs of RAM and 10 TB of storage. I run Proxmox on it to host Pi-Hole, pfSense, backups and a number of VMs for various cybersecurity activities. I almost have a WD Mybook with 16 TB of space for storing my media and misc items. I always have my personal PC, 3 other PCs, and a Mac Book