Need some tech advice for home network and media server upgrade.

[Brian]

So from the short amount of time with this community I've realized two major facts, everyone really loves the community, and there are some really smart tech savvy people here. So I'm going to solicit some free advice since I'm way out of my league. A little background info, I'm capable of building machines and doing basic setup on my stuff but that's as far as I go. I'm not afraid to dive in as long as I can resource answers to my issues. I've just never had the need to dive way into configuring stuff and making it work seamlessly. I usually stick to basic stuff since that's what I'm exposed to.

I really want to upgrade my home network and media sharing. I'm thinking about buying or since it's cheaper building a home media server. I'm not sure where to start. Should I get a bare bones kit, buy the pieces and software separate, or just get a prefab machine.

My needs are mostly for sharing files and watching movies, listening to music. We have two laptops, currently mine is setup like a desktop and running a software based ps3 media server. We also have 2 tablets, an iPad and an Asus transformer, my ps3, two iPhones and at least one tv with a network port on it. We have the Motorola surfboard from crappy time warner and I have an older Linksys/Cisco router model number wrt610n. I feel that I need to replace that but not sure. I feel that our wireless speeds aren't what they should be. I'm thinking of the Asus RT-AC66U or 68U(I'm not sure the benefit of stepping up to the 68). Also adding a power line adapter to replace the 50 ft cat 5 cable running from my surfboard to play station.

Like most people I'm on as budget and I plan on spreading it out over a few months. Our government housing has Ethernet ran through it but the junction box is incomplete. I'll try and post a pic later to see if it's worth hooking anything up in their. Thanks for the advice guys, and sorry about the novel. Just want you to have all relevant info.

[Brian]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/13/apequjuq.jpg

A little hard to see but all the cables are just tied up and no ends installed on any of the Ethernet cables. Also how restrictive would the little metal box be to wifi? I do not have the crimpers or the ends for the cable. I doubt my S6 would lend me the crimpers.

[saviger]

Ill start with what I currently got setup in my apartment. (Its has taken two years and some salvage ops/careful budgeting to get here)

Low Profile "Server" chassis. Its built to be rack mounted. (Pulled out of a trash pile from a client site)

Media/File Server
Intel i5 and its mobo (savaged)
12gb RAM <--You will need at least 8gb RAM to stream 1080p without hickups
Also make sure the Mobo has a 1GB (10/100/1000) network card.
5 2TB 7200RPM SATA HDDs
1 250GB 7200RPM SATA HDD (OS Drive)
Running Server2012 Datacenter

I know this ^^^ will be overkill for most.

Network
Two 8port Dlink GB Switches
One comes off of the Uverse Modem/Router. (Try not use the built in switch, you will get better performance when your machines are plugged into the same switch)
The second is in the living room, for the Roku. Then two more lines going into the kids room for their Roku and PC.

Software
PLEX media server http://www.plexapp.com/
I dont subcribe to "PlexPass" it works just fine on the free version.

Install the Plex media server on your server box, open the ports in your router and your good to go on tablets, desktops and Rokus. I cant say enough good things about it, so much that I have created a subdomain on my own. I can get to my media from anywhere with an internet connection.
I was at the beach last week with the extended Fam, we were watching movies from my media server to the laptop connected to the TV.
plex.saviger.com

[saviger]

Thought I would continue in another thread to avoid a wall of text.....


Also, KEEP AWAY FROM POWERLINE ADAPTERS for this purpose. You will only get about 54mbs out of them..... You will be wanting 1000mbs or at least 100 to stream your media across the network. Ethernet is the way to go.
Powerline adapters are fine for general internet browsing, and maby some gaming. But you will be a lot of bandwidth to push the content.

From the pic, I would just leave it alone, and run your own cable. It will take time and effort, but you can get it in there between the wall the carpet. With it being Govt housing, and temporary, no reason to put it in the walls, or finish what they started. You can get a 1000ft roll of cat5e for about $70-100 at HomeDepo or Lowes. You wont use it all, but it will come in handy multiple times.
***Make sure its at least cat5e old Cat5 will only carry 100mbs.****

I can help you get everything setup, just give me hollar'

[CrzyChinook]

Ill start with what I currently got setup in my apartment. (Its has taken two years and some salvage ops/careful budgeting to get here)

Low Profile "Server" chassis. Its built to be rack mounted. (Pulled out of a trash pile from a client site)

Media/File Server
Intel i5 and its mobo (savaged)
12gb RAM <--You will need at least 8gb RAM to stream 1080p without hickups
Also make sure the Mobo has a 1GB (10/100/1000) network card.
5 2TB 7200RPM SATA HDDs
1 250GB 7200RPM SATA HDD (OS Drive)
Running Server2012 Datacenter

I know this ^^^ will be overkill for most.

Network
Two 8port Dlink GB Switches
One comes off of the Uverse Modem/Router. (Try not use the built in switch, you will get better performance when your machines are plugged into the same switch)
The second is in the living room, for the Roku. Then two more lines going into the kids room for their Roku and PC.

Software
PLEX media server http://www.plexapp.com/
I dont subcribe to "PlexPass" it works just fine on the free version.

Install the Plex media server on your server box, open the ports in your router and your good to go on tablets, desktops and Rokus. I cant say enough good things about it, so much that I have created a subdomain on my own. I can get to my media from anywhere with an internet connection.
I was at the beach last week with the extended Fam, we were watching movies from my media server to the laptop connected to the TV.
plex.saviger.com


is Plex like XBMC??? im using XBMC but not really happy with it..

[saviger]

is Plex like XBMC??? im using XBMC but not really happy with it..

PLEX was originally based on the open source code of XBMC, but has gone way beyond it.

I use it for its simplicity, and mobile apps. Just create a PLEX account on their websites, tie your media server to it, and your ready to go with any device that has a PLEX app (iOS android, windows, OSX, windows phone).

It will also share out your media over DLNA for devices that dont have a PLEX app (PS3,360)

[Brian]

Thanks for the advice. What are the best places to start sourcing this stuff?


Sent from my Honey Badger of an iPhone

[ssandersjr]

Ok. You teased with the descriptions, so now pics are a must of the setups.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk now Free ('http://tapatalk.com/m?id=10')

[saviger]

Ok. You teased with the descriptions, so now pics are a must of the setups.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk now Free (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=10)

The top server is a Dell 2950, currently not being used. But was setup as a ESX host with 4VMs. (You can install the ESX host OS on the thumb drive, and use you entire raid array as your datastore, or a NAS if you got it.
Good thing to have when you are studying for Microsoft server certs.

Has about 500gb of SCSI diskspace in a RAID, Two QuadCore Xeon's, 8gb of ECC-RAM, two GB NICs, and the icing on the cake a DRAC4
bottom line....Its loud, and puts out a lot of heat.

The bottom server is the one in the description, it uses a normal low profile PSU. So its quiet and doesn't put out much heat. (You can ignore the AMD sticker, I'm a funny guy)

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/18498113/2013-10-13%2009.29.25.jpg

[smoke]

I've actually got a repurposed dell dimension desktop with server on it. I too have been looking to upgrade as this machine is now 11 years old.
I've been looking at a Synology nas which I have heard nothing but raving reviews on, and best yet, are less then the cost of a full blown desktop PC. And you can hotswap drives.

[Brian]

So since your guys setups are a little out of my budget I was wondering if any of these would be an acceptable stating platform.

Dell Inspiron asking $150
Intel Core 2 quad core CPU Q8200 @ 2.33 GHz
Memory = 8 gigs (4 sticks) Ram
AMD Radeon HD3450 PCI-Express X16 With DVI/DP/HDMI connections
1 TB Hard drive
64 bit operating system windows vista

LIGHTNING-FAST ASUS M5A78 PHENOM II X4 QUAD CORE 8GB WIFI ATX TOWER - $450 (BRAND NEW *SPECIAL PRICE!*)
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/syd/4117320925.html(seems to good to be true but would be my first choice)


Dell Rack Mounted Servers (Maili)
I have two Dell 1650 servers and 1 Dell 1850 server for sale $125 a piece or all 3 for $300 firm. Serious inquires only. HDDs available at a larger cost. http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/sys/4113691214.html

Brand New Drobo 5N 5-Bay NAS Storage Array DRDS4A21 - $429 http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/sys/4082346839.html




Sent from my Honey Badger of an iPhone

[saviger]

So since your guys setups are a little out of my budget I was wondering if any of these would be an acceptable stating platform.

Dell Inspiron asking $150
Intel Core 2 quad core CPU Q8200 @ 2.33 GHz
Memory = 8 gigs (4 sticks) Ram
AMD Radeon HD3450 PCI-Express X16 With DVI/DP/HDMI connections
1 TB Hard drive
64 bit operating system windows vista

LIGHTNING-FAST ASUS M5A78 PHENOM II X4 QUAD CORE 8GB WIFI ATX TOWER - $450 (BRAND NEW *SPECIAL PRICE!*)
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/syd/4117320925.html(seems to good to be true but would be my first choice)


Dell Rack Mounted Servers (Maili)
I have two Dell 1650 servers and 1 Dell 1850 server for sale $125 a piece or all 3 for $300 firm. Serious inquires only. HDDs available at a larger cost. http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/sys/4113691214.html

Brand New Drobo 5N 5-Bay NAS Storage Array DRDS4A21 - $429 http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/sys/4082346839.html




Sent from my Honey Badger of an iPhone

The Dell with the Core2 Quad will work nicely.

You shouldn't need a dedicated NAS for a bit, just add couple of drives to the Dell. Stay away from the 1650s, they are old as dirt and wont be much use. Unless you are setting up a lab.


Once you get your hands on a machine that you are happy with, let me know. I have a licence available for Windows Server 2012 Essentials (New Home Server offering from MS).