Advice on a home server solution needed.

Munkyman

Munkyman

Munkyman

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Hey, I'm looking at getting a home server solution to be used as storage, media streaming and possibly backup from various devices. I've been looking at the various units Synology sell and I have no idea which one to go for.

It has to be able to stream 1080p content, able to store and backup files from other devices. A 2-bay unit would be enough I think and under £200. Drives aren't a problem since I've got 2 4Tb NAS drives anyway.
 
Munkyman said:
Hey, I'm looking at getting a home server solution to be used as storage, media streaming and possibly backup from various devices. I've been looking at the various units Synology sell and I have no idea which one to go for.
It has to be able to stream 1080p content, able to store and backup files from other devices. A 2-bay unit would be enough I think and under £200. Drives aren't a problem since I've got 2 4Tb NAS drives anyway.
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Is power consumption an issue and will you be streaming to any devices that can take a direct video stream e.g. Now TV boxes, iPhones etc. Also how many devices will you be streaming to at one time ? :)
 
HP microserver if they have the cashback available. Even if you pick one up for around £150 they're very good value.

Linux OS FOC and you're good to go.
 
Power comsumption isn't really an issue but it would be nice to have a pretty efficient unit. Most devices I'll be streaming to should be able to take a direct video stream...Roku, pc's and Andriod devices. Only a couple at a time will be used though.

I'd rather have something that's easy to set up and have an easy to use gui interface. I've been playing around with a FreeNAS setup recently and while I'm reasonably ok with it, my Dad isn't. That's why I was looking at the Synology stuff. Diskstation Manager looks easy to use and should be ok for someone like my Dad
 
Steveocee said:
HP microserver if they have the cashback available. Even if you pick one up for around £150 they're very good value.

Linux OS FOC and you're good to go.
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The Dell T20 Pentium server would be a better option at the moment as after cashback it comes in at around £85 so then you just load FreeNAS/Windows 8 something else onto it and job done :)

Munkyman said:
Power comsumption isn't really an issue but it would be nice to have a pretty efficient unit. Most devices I'll be streaming to should be able to take a direct video stream...Roku, pc's and Andriod devices. Only a couple at a time will be used though.

I'd rather have something that's easy to set up and have an easy to use gui interface. I've been playing around with a FreeNAS setup recently and while I'm reasonably ok with it, my Dad isn't. That's why I was looking at the Synology stuff. Diskstation Manager looks easy to use and should be ok for someone like my Dad
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In that case I would recommend something like the Dell T20 or the HP Microserver. The T20 is definitely better for the tasks as it has the ability to transcode 1-2 streams if necesary :)
 
TechMinerUK said:
The Dell T20 Pentium server would be a better option at the moment as after cashback it comes in at around £85 so then you just load FreeNAS/Windows 8 something else onto it and job done :)


In that case I would recommend something like the Dell T20 or the HP Microserver. The T20 is definitely better for the tasks as it has the ability to transcode 1-2 streams if necesary :)
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That Dell is brilliant!
 
So if I buy either the Dell or the HP, plug in my already setup FreeNAS USB stick and install my 2 4Tb drives with all my data on, will it work?
 
Munkyman said:
So if I buy either the Dell or the HP, plug in my already setup FreeNAS USB stick and install my 2 4Tb drives with all my data on, will it work?
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I'm not the most "au fait" with FreeNAS but from my research on FreeNAS it appears to be very hardware relaxed in that you can change stuff out easily so moving a pre-configured USB onto a new server with the same drives should work theoretically:)
 
I found Xpenology much easier to use than freenas. I got WOL working on my n54l which I wasn't able to do in freenas either. Really great interface and also supports cctv cameras etc too.
 
Adam said:
I found Xpenology much easier to use than freenas. I got WOL working on my n54l which I wasn't able to do in freenas either. Really great interface and also supports cctv cameras etc too.
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The biggest "gripe" with Xpenology though is that its bodged into working with non Synology hardware, any upgrade you want to make normally ends in tears. At least Freenas is designed to be used on anything.

I do envy the Synology Hybrid Raid though as that looks brilliant and would solve so many issues in the world for scaling up.
 
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