NAS & Gigabit Ethernet questions!

[aoommen]

Hi All,

I am planning on getting a NAS primarily with the intention of multimedia streaming between my PC that I built with help from guys on this forum, (specs in my profile) my laptop (Gateway Intel core i3, 8GB RAM) and my DLNA devices (PS3, X Box 360, Yamaha RX-V671 Network Receiver)!

I have a collection of over 200 DVD's (which I'm planning on ripping to the drive and around 50 Blu-Ray's which is also being ripped) , close to 20 GB of music and around 20 GB for photographs and some home video! This should be sufficient for some time! (I hope)

My router is the Netgear Rangemax N - it is a Gigabit router as advertised, the LAN port on my ASUS mother board is also Gigabit supported and is powered by Intel® Gigabit LAN.

First question I have is:

1) What do I need to to do to ensure I am effectively utilizing the Gigabit transfer speeds? Do I need any fancy equipment, a better router or cables???

2) What is the best NAS recommendation you guys have for my need, I would rather not have BYOD NAS systems, any NAS with built in storage would be great - Capacity wise the more the merrier considering all the digital media storage space this would take?

3) Do i really need a USB 3.0 port on my NAS device, I have a WD My Book Essential 3 TB external drive, which I might return depending on the NAS device capacity - do you recommend keeping to back up the NAS or should I just return it?

4) Does the ripped files have to be in a specific format for DLNA playaback, if so then what would be the best format for PS3 and XBox 360 playback?

Please help - I'm kinda confused researching the NAS systems?

Thanks in advance!

Abhi

 

[Zap]

Answers (maybe)...

1) It will work as long as devices on both ends (of a particular transfer) are gigabit, and the network cable works. You can play around with stuff like jumbo frames, but just for streaming videos even 100Mbps will work.

2) I don't have a particular recommendation. I'm personally a fan of either rolling my own (using something low power like an Atom or E-350) or buying one of the cheap tiny Windows Home Server boxes.

3) USB 3.0 would be nice for hooking up external drives. Yes, keep your drive for backups. "Being on the NAS" is not a backup. A backup is an extra copy (or two, or five, depending on how important the data is).

4) IDK. Maybe someone else can help.

 

[Geofram]

I've give one piece of advice for the network - if you are completely worried about speed, I'd probably use a separate switch, rather than a router/switch combo. Most routers suffer if you tax more than one part of them at a time (aka, someone downloading off the wireless while a file is transferred between two wired devices).

About the format for the files - that's a whole ball of wax. If you want ultimate compatibility, you'll need to sacrifice quality usually. Something like an MP4 will probably work on everything (depending on what codec you use). But before doing all your movies, do one, and play it on all devices to make sure it works right. Then do the rest in the same format.

I can't help much with a NAS itself - I use Windows Home Server to host all of my movies/music/etc and do basically the same thing you're talking about doing. It's cheap and works really well if you have an old computer laying around to install it on. It supports DLNA as well.

 

[aoommen]

Thank you for the quick response!

I don't have a particular recommendation. I'm personally a fan of either rolling my own (using something low power like an Atom or E-350) or buying one of the cheap tiny Windows Home Server boxes.

I use Windows Home Server to host all of my movies/music/etc and do basically the same thing you're talking about doing.

I considered the Windows Home Server but read that HP is discontinuing the product and Windows hasn't said anything about the support for the future! Also I did not see anything cheaper in the Home Server, everything was at least $300 or more, where as for the NAS devices you could get a 2-3 TB NAS server for less than $300 bucks.

Can you guys send me a link of where the Win Home Server is cheaply priced!

@ ZAP - i'm not averse to building a NAS Multimedia server myself, does this work out to be cheaper?

 

[Emulex]

yah technet or maps

 

[paperwastage]

getting videos to play correctly on DLNA devices can be a pain, because different DLNA devices support different formats

the post belows summarizes everything
http://gxben.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/why-do-i-hate-dlna-protocol-so-much/

good news for you is that you haven't ripped your DVDs yet...

xbox 360 compatible formats
http://www.foxreal.com/droidx-xbox-360-share-bd-dvd-hd-videos-via-dlna-connection/

PS3 video formats
http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/filetypes.html

pick one and rip one DVD to test

 

[Zap]

@ ZAP - i'm not averse to building a NAS Multimedia server myself, does this work out to be cheaper?

Maybe. Depends. Does it have to do anything special, or is it just a file server that happens to serve up multimedia files?

 

[aoommen]

Maybe. Depends. Does it have to do anything special, or is it just a file server that happens to serve up multimedia files?

Nothing special just a media server and storage. Would be nice if it is a trans-coding server for converting files into formats that can be played on various devices - is there something like that?

 

[beginner99]

Nothing special just a media server and storage. Would be nice if it is a trans-coding server for converting files into formats that can be played on various devices - is there something like that?

Well as example TVersity can trans code on the fly but obviously that needs a pretty capable cpu. IMHO I would just check what your devices can play and convert to that format.

I would keep the WD drive and back up the most important stuff but I must admit that I don't back up all my media files. Would not be that big of a loss.

 

[Zap]

Nothing special just a media server and storage. Would be nice if it is a trans-coding server for converting files into formats that can be played on various devices - is there something like that?

Translation: File server. :sneaky: Does calling it "media serving" make it 120% more sexy or something? :hmm:

For transcoding AFAIK no off-the-shelf NAS will do.

For file serving you can get something like a $125 Asus E-350 ITX board (normal version, not "Deluxe" version) and get a CPU capable of file serving, plus gigabit Ethernet, plus a whopping six SATA 6G ports. Spend $15 on a single stick of 2GB DDR3. The bigger problem (besides deciding on how many terabytes of HDD) is a case. One choice is the Fractal Design Array, which is an ITX case with 300W 80Plus PSU and six HDD mounts with grommets, all cooled by one reasonably quiet 140mm fan, for just under $200. That puts budget (minus HDDs or OS) at just over $300. Not the best, but not the worst.

Adding transcoding to the mix means very likely going for some Sandy Bridge CPU/mobo, adding at least $50 to the expense and with (usually) fewer SATA ports.

 

[Geofram]

Can you guys send me a link of where the Win Home Server is cheaply priced!

Click http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832416443

This is an OEM copy of the OS for around $50. If you have older computer hardware around you can install it on that. I never bought a computer to use WHS on, I just had old hardware. I did end up buying HDDs for it though. It really doesn't take much, hardware wise, to run.

 

[Zap]

For basic file sharing, you don't actually need WHS. Pretty much any OS will work if you have a spare license. Heck, use Linux!

 

[snoturtle]

I have something similar that I use for file serving and transcoding with PS3 media server

e6600 with 4 gigs of memory and ~20TB of storage

Works fine so far but am looking to upgrade it to something a little faster and with more ram and storage

One of the things I have found so far has been it sometimes is better to reencode the video files to something native instead of trying to transcode everything
As of now most things I reencode to MP4 which has worked great

 

[aoommen]

Translation: File server. Does calling it "media serving" make it 120% more sexy or something?

- I don't know does it? , I have no idea what is the diff between those 2 is, called mine Media server, because that is what I intend to use it for - serving media to my TV's, and feeding my entertainment needs with it's Service !

I'm finally reaching the conclusion after much research and deliberation that building my own would be a cheaper and more flexible alternative. So I'm trying to get the specs together to build my own NAS, with room for expansion, planning on a FreeNAS build, and now the stumbling blocks are a little bit different, here they are, please help :

Objective: NAS for Media storage and streaming, primarily, and then some data storage as well. Make your own and make IT CHEAP, is what I've decided!

For parts: I have 3 old LAPTOPS lying around unused collecting dust, can I use any parts off of them for my build. I'm trying to save as much money as possible, so please help! I know laptop parts are not compatible with desktop builds, but hey when you are trying to be stingy then you might want to check every possible alternative!

What MoBo and CPU should I use, what MoBo form factor is best for NAS? -

you can get something like a $125 Asus E-350 ITX board (normal version, not "Deluxe" version) and get a CPU capable of file serving, plus gigabit Ethernet, plus a whopping six SATA 6G ports.

- I like that option, thank you Zap, does anyone else have any other recommendations?

I would like at least 6 SATA ports for HDD's? Cheap but reliable, no fancy stuff needed but a USB 3.0 would be nice, based on all the recommendations I've got here and in a few other places!

Hardware or software RAID on FreeNAS? What is the difference?

Depending on the MoBo, any case and PSU suggestions???

I would like to keep it within $300 is that a realistic budget for a 4TB NAS with some room for expansion?

Lastly, if I would want to combine my NAS and an HTPC together, is that a good idea?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[aoommen]

Hi All - had an urgent help request regarding this build:

Newegg Shell Shocker Deal - DIY Combo

Would this be a good combo for my NAS/HTPC combo build??? As this expires today, I would appreciate any help I can get quickly on deciding, please. Thank you!

Yes, I am thinking of combining my NAS build and an HTPC together so, first question I have is whether I can combine a NAS and HTPC (I would like to, even if it means stretching my budget a little bit). If you are aware of any reasons why these to should not be combined please do let me know!

I was planning on building an HTPC later, but since I'm doing this build now and as the objective states, this is mainly being done for media streaming and storage, why not combine both and save a few bucks???

Objective (redefined): NAS for Media storage and streaming and transcoding, primarily, and then some data storage as well. HTPC for all that an HTPC does

 

[Zap]

Yes, you can combine HTPC functions with file serving.

Do not get that combo deal. Here are my thoughts on the parts.

The motherboard is fine and the CPU is a great choice. Actually, ANY of the AMD APUs (A4/A6/A8) would be great for an HTPC.

The memory is a single stick. Not a total show stopper, but a VERY strange choice for the platform. It may not make a difference in playing back media, but the AMD APUs benefit greatly from higher memory bandwidth - dual channel at 1600MHz or higher.

The PSU is crap. Seriously. Crap. I don't say that lightly, because I'm not the type to obsess over quality. However, it is crap.

The case is okay. Pretty typical cheap case.

The HDD is fine... except it isn't that big. Nice 1TB drives start at only $10-15 more, so it isn't very cost effective for a file server to do small HDDs.

Here are some recommendations.

ASRock A75M-HVS $70
Better choice than the Gigabyte board because it has the higher end chipset with SATA 6G, plus has HDMI for your HDTV.

AMD A4-3400 CPU $80
You don't need quad cores for playing back media, so this dual core is sufficient.

4GB dual channel DDR3-1600 1.5v $30
Really doesn't matter what brand, just the type.

1TB version of the HDD in the Shell Shocker $55
See, only $10 more for double the capacity! Other good choices are the Samsung F3 and the Hitachi 7K1000.D. This will be the boot drive, and any additional drives for storage can be 5400RPM models.

Seasonic 300W 80Plus Bronze PSU $38
This PSU is around 100X better quality than that Logisys.

Case... gotta think about that one. Maybe you want one that fits in with your home theater stuff?

 

[LokutusofBorg]

That combo looks fine for an HTPC or your combined HTPC/NAS plans, though some of the parts do look cheap (I would never use that PSU in any build I put together) but I'm a bit of a computer parts snob.

I think the main drawback from combining the two is that the NAS necessarily has a lot of hard drives in it. If you have your HTPC/NAS near your TV then you're going to hear it.

 

[Zap]

That combo looks fine for an HTPC or your combined HTPC/NAS plans, though some of the parts do look cheap (I would never use that PSU in any build I put together) but I'm a bit of a computer parts snob.

It isn't being a computer snob. That PSU is just plain terrible. It can't even do what it claims to on the label.

I think the main drawback from combining the two is that the NAS necessarily has a lot of hard drives in it. If you have your HTPC/NAS near your TV then you're going to hear it.

That's why the case choice is important, as are HDD choices. Except for boot drive, gotta get "green" drives. Also, case needs to have grommets for HDD mounts. My own HTPC has maybe three or so HDDs in it, and it is very quiet.

 

[aoommen]

Yes, you can combine HTPC functions with file serving.

Do not get that combo deal. Here are my thoughts on the parts.


Here are some recommendations.

ASRock A75M-HVS $70
Better choice than the Gigabyte board because it has the higher end chipset with SATA 6G, plus has HDMI for your HDTV.

AMD A4-3400 CPU $80
You don't need quad cores for playing back media, so this dual core is sufficient.

4GB dual channel DDR3-1600 1.5v $30
Really doesn't matter what brand, just the type.

1TB version of the HDD in the Shell Shocker $55
See, only $10 more for double the capacity! Other good choices are the Samsung F3 and the Hitachi 7K1000.D. This will be the boot drive, and any additional drives for storage can be 5400RPM models.

Seasonic 300W 80Plus Bronze PSU $38
This PSU is around 100X better quality than that Logisys.

Case... gotta think about that one. Maybe you want one that fits in with your home theater stuff?

Thanks Zap! I did not get that deal - even though I read your post only today, your list of recommendations looks great and is a great starting point!

I have decided to got that way and build an HTPC for now and maybe expand storage later to get the NAS capabilities, anything special I need to do - software wise - to make it a NAS??

I have a few parts I can use for the new build, I have a 3TB Hitachi Deskstar HDD for storage, I have been doing some research and I'm thoroughly confused about the CPU and Case choice now!

I posted about that build here - hope that I won't get booted for cross posting - did not want to post a long post under this same heading and confuse anyone reading it! But if it is supposed to be posted here then please feel free to move it!

But please post your reply & suggestions wherever it is supposed to be!

Thanks again!

 

[Old Hippie]

Click http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832416443

This is an OEM copy of the OS for around $50. If you have older computer hardware around you can install it on that. I never bought a computer to use WHS on, I just had old hardware. I did end up buying HDDs for it though. It really doesn't take much, hardware wise, to run.

This is the 2011 version.

Just make sure your cheapo/second-hand stuff can do 64bit.