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

[xXMASHERXx]

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

What did you replace it with?

 

[TripleAgent]

What did you replace it with?

DS1821+
Dual 1TB NvME Cache Drives
64GB RAM
8x 14TB Seagate EXOS X16
COMPLETE TOTAL OVERKILL

 

[xXMASHERXx]

DS1821+
Dual 1TB NvME Cache Drives
64GB RAM
8x 14TB Seagate EXOS X16
COMPLETE TOTAL OVERKILL

Maybe but it's lovely when you can say that

 

[Rev Leon Lonnie Love]

Im a linux user who still accesses my media collection via the old fashioned way of plugging the external drive on the TV when i want to watch stuff.

Put me on to the new shyt so I can be hip and savvy too

 

[xXMASHERXx]

Im a linux user who still accesses my media collection via the old fashioned way of plugging the external drive on the TV when i want to watch stuff.

Put me on to the new shyt so I can be hip and savvy too

Well before we can even begin, good, cheap, fast. Which of those two are most important to you and what are you trying to do?

 

[Rev Leon Lonnie Love]

Well before we can even begin, good, cheap, fast. Which of those two are most important to you and what are you trying to do?

I have about 3TB of stuff scattered across 3 hardrives i've had for the past 14 years or so. I got movies, music, tv shows i downloaded during the glory days of DC++ file share and scene rip downloading. I really just want something fast and cheap. It does not have to look sexy and cool, just functional and extensible. If I can get something working easily that I can later tinker with to get the optimal setup.

Also how cheap is "cheap" here?

 

[xXMASHERXx]

I have about 3TB of stuff scattered across 3 hardrives i've had for the past 14 years or so. I got movies, music, tv shows i downloaded during the glory days of DC++ file share and scene rip downloading. I really just want something fast and cheap. It does not have to look sexy and cool, just functional and extensible. If I can get something working easily that I can later tinker with to get the optimal setup.

Also how cheap is "cheap" here?

I would recommend you hit @TripleAgent up to see about his DS416play but that might be out of your price range. I would go with a Synology DS220+ ($300). I know it's not exactly cheap (cheap in terms of this type of hobby) but I don't think you are going to find anything cheaper that works out of the box as good as that. And it's a good entry level device that holds value so when you decide you want to invest in something fancier, you won't have a tough time selling it.

 

[TripleAgent]

I have about 3TB of stuff scattered across 3 hardrives i've had for the past 14 years or so. I got movies, music, tv shows i downloaded during the glory days of DC++ file share and scene rip downloading. I really just want something fast and cheap. It does not have to look sexy and cool, just functional and extensible. If I can get something working easily that I can later tinker with to get the optimal setup.

Also how cheap is "cheap" here?

Not "cheap" to most, but that NAS I'm selling is easy, plentiful storage you can do a ton with. After formatting and RAID for data protecton, it's around 24TB. Tons of utility, and access from anywhere. I'm letting it go for 475, which is around half of what it would cost for the equivalent new model NAS and drives, not counting the RAM upgrade.

 

[Macallik86]

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

Appreciate the advice. Yeah I'm definitely learning as I go and stumbling over all of the hurdles lol:

1. You're going to use your desktop as a server, what OS is it running: My desktop runs Windows 10. Within it (via WSL1) it runs Debian and that is where I will have docker running ideally. I think that my initial install was within WSL but on top of Debian as opposed to 'within Debian', so it might be fighting for resources perhaps? That could explain why the Docker Engine never launches when I try to load the app. I know that Docker plays better using WSL2, but that breaks SSH capabilities so I'm wary on going that direction.
2. Are you planning to have the desktop server media to multiple systems: Yup. Technically it does that over LAN already thanks to the stock Windows Sharing settings but I'm looking to locally host a media app for a cleaner UI relative to my devices' file explorers.
3. Are you going to be using ADGuard DNS or just regular ADGuard: No idea lol. My (uneducated) guess is that what you're getting at here is that the AdGuard DNS requires me to route all of my traffic through my server before it hits other devices, while regular AdGuard just protects one device? If that's the case, I'll just settle for AdGuard until I potentially get a standalone server.

I haven't tried to install anything outside of Docker. I have a shorthand list of apps to try and when I'm ready, I'll likely jump into documentation on GitHub. Here's my current thought process. Let me know if I'm off base with anything:

1. Docker is the equivalent of the App Store for many self-hosted tools, so I should focus on getting that up and running first.
   1. Since I am using a unique install (Docker within WSL1), I need to find & follow a guide that spells out the steps required for this.
2. After installed, my next step would be to get a feel for Docker. The higher priority projects would be replacements for Google Photos & Google Drive... the others are just additional side projects I will potentially delve into.
3. When I start building a Google Drive/Google Photos replacement, I may need to reformat some of my storage to make it Linux friendly.
4. The main (only?) drawbacks to using my PC as a server are that processes will be running in the background permanently & files are unavailable whenever my computer is off due to Windows updates/power outages/etc.

 

[xXMASHERXx]

Appreciate the advice. Yeah I'm definitely learning as I go and stumbling over all of the hurdles lol:

1. You're going to use your desktop as a server, what OS is it running: My desktop runs Windows 10. Within it (via WSL1) it runs Debian and that is where I will have docker running ideally. I think that my initial install was within WSL but on top of Debian as opposed to 'within Debian', so it might be fighting for resources perhaps? That could explain why the Docker Engine never launches when I try to load the app. I know that Docker plays better using WSL2, but that breaks SSH capabilities so I'm wary on going that direction.
2. Are you planning to have the desktop server media to multiple systems: Yup. Technically it does that over LAN already thanks to the stock Windows Sharing settings but I'm looking to locally host a media app for a cleaner UI relative to my devices' file explorers.
3. Are you going to be using ADGuard DNS or just regular ADGuard: No idea lol. My (uneducated) guess is that what you're getting at here is that the AdGuard DNS requires me to route all of my traffic through my server before it hits other devices, while regular AdGuard just protects one device? If that's the case, I'll just settle for AdGuard until I potentially get a standalone server.

I haven't tried to install anything outside of Docker. I have a shorthand list of apps to try and when I'm ready, I'll likely jump into documentation on GitHub. Here's my current thought process. Let me know if I'm off base with anything:

1. Docker is the equivalent of the App Store for many self-hosted tools, so I should focus on getting that up and running first.
   1. Since I am using a unique install (Docker within WSL1), I need to find & follow a guide that spells out the steps required for this.
2. After installed, my next step would be to get a feel for Docker. The higher priority projects would be replacements for Google Photos & Google Drive... the others are just additional side projects I will potentially delve into.
3. When I start building a Google Drive/Google Photos replacement, I may need to reformat some of my storage to make it Linux friendly.
4. The main (only?) drawbacks to using my PC as a server are that processes will be running in the background permanently & files are unavailable whenever my computer is off due to Windows updates/power outages/etc.

You know more than I thought, you're pretty spot on with what I was thinking,
1. Windows is a resource hog so with 8 GB RAM I just don't think you'll have a fun time. Especially if the system is going to serve files and transcode them as well. I mentioned to another user how was having stuttering issues that it was probably due to his Android box not having enough resources. Any reason why you are running Windows and not a nix server distro? Personally that the route I would go and then spin up docker containers on that.

2. I should have been more specific. Will it be sharing files(mainly video) to none computer devices? If so it might need to transcode(depends on the device and it has an app/software to do it) them which will put additional load on your desktop.

3. Spot on. Never fun losing internet access because something caused your desktop to crash/reboot. So yeah the application would work better for your current situation and then when you have a more suitable system to act as a DNS server, ADGuard DNS would be great(also look into Pi-Hole which I run in a container and love).

You have a solid plan going forward. The only potential issue I see is with you running Windows on the desktop which might cause issues with resources which you are aware of. You can disable services and any processes that you might not need but with Windows updates you might have to repeat the process constantly. And yeah sometimes when you do these things you might have to reference multiple guides, forums posts, kb articles, etc to get it working for your environment which is never fun. Just easier to install something like Debian as the OS and build out the docker containers there imo. But yeah it sounds like you're on a good track. Good luck and be sure to keep us updated

 

[Macallik86]

You know more than I thought, you're pretty spot on with what I was thinking,
1. Windows is a resource hog so with 8 GB RAM I just don't think you'll have a fun time. Especially if the system is going to serve files and transcode them as well. I mentioned to another user how was having stuttering issues that it was probably due to his Android box not having enough resources. Any reason why you are running Windows and not a nix server distro? Personally that the route I would go and then spin up docker containers on that.

2. I should have been more specific. Will it be sharing files(mainly video) to none computer devices? If so it might need to transcode(depends on the device and it has an app/software to do it) them which will put additional load on your desktop.

3. Spot on. Never fun losing internet access because something caused your desktop to crash/reboot. So yeah the application would work better for your current situation and then when you have a more suitable system to act as a DNS server, ADGuard DNS would be great(also look into Pi-Hole which I run in a container and love).

You have a solid plan going forward. The only potential issue I see is with you running Windows on the desktop which might cause issues with resources which you are aware of. You can disable services and any processes that you might not need but with Windows updates you might have to repeat the process constantly. And yeah sometimes when you do these things you might have to reference multiple guides, forums posts, kb articles, etc to get it working for your environment which is never fun. Just easier to install something like Debian as the OS and build out the docker containers there imo. But yeah it sounds like you're on a good track. Good luck and be sure to keep us updated

Appreciate it

I'll be sharing videos to my Chromebook & tablet. I have a TV as well, but it's hooked up to my desktop. I'll likely follow your suggestion and get some more RAM to boost my processing power.


OAN, in this month, I've gone back and forth on what to do about my computing power. It went from "Buy a Windows 11 computer ASAP" -> "Wait until the recession hits and prices go through the floor" -> "I don't need any computer until Windows 10 stops being supported in 2025/2029" -> "Buy a very powerful computer so that I can run the open-sourced version of ChatGPT locally" -> "Buy a server as a side project" -> "Turns out the best bang for my buck re: servers is going to be a desktop-turned-server which I don't have room for, so sit on my hands until I figure out a gameplan".

As it stands now, I'll probably drop a lot of $$$ on my next desktop and turn my existing one into a server but that could be months/years down the road.

 

[FatherSimp]

Good thread

Currently using a older pc as a Proxmox host which runs a bunch of vms and services such as DNS, AD-blocking, Active Directory, and a Jellyfin media server.

Thinking about building a PC as a NAS using TrueNAS Scale

 

[TripleAgent]

Good thread

Currently using a older pc as a Proxmox host which runs a bunch of vms and services such as DNS, AD-blocking, Active Directory, and a Jellyfin media server.

Thinking about building a PC as a NAS using TrueNAS Scale

Is AD at home worth the trouble? Do you have family that have no clue what they're doing?

 

[FatherSimp]

Is AD at home worth the trouble? Do you have family that have no clue what they're doing?

Yes to both questions. Being able to remotely administer the PC's while giving the illusion of control has kept the ayo the Internet is down or I can't print questions down to nothing.

 

[TripleAgent]

Yes to both questions. Being able to remotely administer the PC's while giving the illusion of control has kept the ayo the Internet is down or I can't print questions down to nothing.