HTPC to NAS setup question

[fallout1]

I've got an AMD A6-5400K, 8GB RAM, Earthwatts 380 with a couple of TB storage HTPC at the moment.
After vacillating between OOTB NAS and a custom I'm leaning toward converting my HTPC to a NAS in one. Any concerns or thoughts on the following? :

1) Add an SSD for Ubuntu + plex media server for transcoding, etc.
2) Adding a couple of WD Reds for storage with FREENAS.

Will that setup work?

Thanks!

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I've got an AMD A6-5400K, 8GB RAM, Earthwatts 380 with a couple of TB storage HTPC at the moment.
After vacillating between OOTB NAS and a custom I'm leaning toward converting my HTPC to a NAS in one. Any concerns or thoughts on the following? :

1) Add an SSD for Ubuntu + plex media server for transcoding, etc.
2) Adding a couple of WD Reds for storage with FREENAS.

Will that setup work?

Thanks!

Do you mean you want to continue using it as both HTPC and NAS? I would guess then you would call that a "media server."

I've never resolved the question as to how a server OS would work performing HTPC functions. The topic has been raised in these forums here and there and recently.

On the other hand, if your HTPC OS is Win 7 or 8 (it only seems 8 is more preferable), you could have it do double-duty as media and file server.

But there are the HDCP issues. What you record on the system cannot be played on other machines accessing it. Of course, the PC would continue in its HTPC role.

IN my case, my "flagship" OC'd (sig) rig doubles with HTPC functions with Media Center. My home server (WHS-2011) allows me to archive captured (and encrypted or protected) content to the server. When I want to play it back, it plays through the sig rig, so there aren't any HDCP issues with it. And -- I don't need HDD space on the sig-rig greater than 500GB for DVR.

 

[fallout1]

I suppose so, yes.

Do you mean you want to continue using it as both HTPC and NAS? I would guess then you would call that a "media server."

In a way it's two..having a flash drive with FreeNAS would control the HDDs and then Linux (or Win7 even) could be installed on the SSD for the transcoding. Or is that like double dipping? 🙂

I've never resolved the question as to how a server OS would work performing HTPC functions. The topic has been raised in these forums here and there and recently.

I don't follow..What would be recorded? No DVR..just file server for storing movies, music, photos, backups, etc.

But there are the HDCP issues. What you record on the system cannot be played on other machines accessing it. Of course, the PC would continue in its HTPC role.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

In a way it's two..having a flash drive with FreeNAS would control the HDDs and then Linux (or Win7 even) could be installed on the SSD for the transcoding. Or is that like double dipping? 🙂

Doesn't work that way.

Your best bet if you're comfortable with Linux is to install Ubuntu Desktop on it, then either:

1) Configure Ubuntu as both a file server, PLEX server, etc., and leave those services running in the background while you use the desktop environment as an HTPC.

2) Install FreeNAS in a VM and pass the HDDs through to it directly.

Some people like running FreeNAS in a VM, but although I run FreeNAS at home, I'm not dissatisfied with Ubuntu as a server OS. I'd probably do #1.

You can do the same thing with Windows but you'd have to have a license if you didn't already, and non-Server versions of Windows are missing enough of the server features to be inconvenient.

 

[fallout1]

Hmm, ok. I'm a novice with Linux at best. Doesn't mean I'm not open to learning but if it's going to be a pain in the ass just to get up and running..(suppose that's relative).

I do have a W7 home prem. license but it's OEM so not sure it would xfer..(gray area I realize as well).

3) Alternative is to get an NUC for HTPC, convert the HTPC as is to a dedicated NAS w/ FreeNAS. Hate to have the AMD A6 just be relegated to keeping some HDDs going but suppose its an option.

Doesn't work that way.

Your best bet if you're comfortable with Linux is to install Ubuntu Desktop on it, then either:

1) Configure Ubuntu as both a file server, PLEX server, etc., and leave those services running in the background while you use the desktop environment as an HTPC.

2) Install FreeNAS in a VM and pass the HDDs through to it directly.

Some people like running FreeNAS in a VM, but although I run FreeNAS at home, I'm not dissatisfied with Ubuntu as a server OS. I'd probably do #1.

You can do the same thing with Windows but you'd have to have a license if you didn't already, and non-Server versions of Windows are missing enough of the server features to be inconvenient.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

. . . .
I don't follow..What would be recorded? No DVR..just file server for storing movies, music, photos, backups, etc.

When you say "HTPC," I immediately assume there would be a source for "Live TV" in "Media Center." I honestly never thought of any HTPC configured with Linux or Ubuntu, but now to think of it -- I'd come across the idea through a web-site on Myth-TV or some similar alternative. Didn't pay much attention.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Hmm, ok. I'm a novice with Linux at best. Doesn't mean I'm not open to learning but if it's going to be a pain in the ass just to get up and running..(suppose that's relative).

I do have a W7 home prem. license but it's OEM so not sure it would xfer..(gray area I realize as well).

3) Alternative is to get an NUC for HTPC, convert the HTPC as is to a dedicated NAS w/ FreeNAS. Hate to have the AMD A6 just be relegated to keeping some HDDs going but suppose its an option.

3 could also work. The A6 would actually get good use there - FreeNAS has a PLEX server plugin, so that box would be handling the transcoding for the target device. Your HTPC could even be a Chromecast of Amazon FireTV if you were so inclined.

I have a FoxConn NanoPC as an HTPC in the workout room. Windows 8, PLEX Home Theater, Netflix App, etc. It works great.