View Full Version : My server, Not what i really wanted, What now?
Ok so you all know i built myself a server to hold media etc but after living with it for a few months, Its not what i really wanted.
What i wanted was a QUICK storage solution for media files so that where ever i was in the house i could turn the PC, PS3, TV on and access my media files straight away.
At the moment i cant due to the fact of i have to boot up a PC (30-60 seconds) Then use WOL to wake the server up (30-60 seconds). Log into the server (30 seconds)
So the whole process is about 3-5 mins before i get to play any music and i find myself not using it because i cant be bothered. The server is sitting under the stairs and not been booted for a month now.
So time to get rid. I can find another use for it fine..Might make a very small media PC from it, Not sure yet.
But I'm still stuck with the problem of media storage and access.
I'm after something like an external HDD that's quick to load and has a network interface. I know any network HDD will do that but I'm after a box that can take possibly 3-4 HDD's and run a basic OS that boots in less then 5 seconds without leaving it on standby, So 5 seconds from OFF.
Anyone help me out here?
Mat:sad:
I think the whole idea of such a machine is to keep it switched on and running 24/7 for quick access. You could do away with the passwords for the server so long as you've got a secured wireless network as well.
Other than that, my recommendation would simply be a NAS box to connect directly to your router. Perhaps a SATA ready ICY BOX Network Attached Storage box and a Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 or similar would do the trick. My recommendation would be the ICY BOX NAS4220
yeah i thought you were planning to leave it switched on 24/7? :O
Nooo. Dont want to do that for safety reasons. Also my dad doesnt like me leaving PC's on etc due to electric costs.
buy a 50" LCD, have it in one room, and keep all your media in that one room.
BINGO! :redface: :S :|
Nooo. Dont want to do that for safety reasons. Also my dad doesnt like me leaving PC's on etc due to electric costs.
Dude, with respect, that's a very niaive way to view having a pc/server working for you. They are designed to be on 24/7, when running in low power mode are not that expensive to use, and are only a safety hazzard if it isn't built correctly or is connected to dodgy circuitry.
If you insist on getting rid, then sell it and use the cash to buy a NAS box.
Dude, with respect, that's a very niaive way to view having a pc/server working for you. They are designed to be on 24/7, when running in low power mode are not that expensive to use, and are only a safety hazzard if it isn't built correctly or is connected to dodgy circuitry.
If you insist on getting rid, then sell it and use the cash to buy a NAS box.
Indeed, so long as you didn't skimp on the Power Supply Unit and your home's circuit breaker isn't prehistoric, there's little in the way of safety concern.
Not surprised you're not happy with it if you're not keeping it on 24/7.
I'd say a NAS Box is definitely for you as I mentioned above. ICY BOX NAS4220 + SATA II HDD.
I just dont want it to be on when im not using it. I hate all this global warming **** but at least i have to help in some way.
Im buying a 32" LCD at the moment that has an ethernet port built in so could have the problem solved already:P
so what you wanted to do is when you turn your pc on and when its loaded windows you want it to just start playing music right away?
if so i can make a program for you that will do that?
Why not use DSL? its tiny and loads so quick, had a media played bundled and will just play music, and only needs a tiny partition.
monkey56657
09-05-08, 22:00
Yes server is designed to be running 24/7. Obviously you do not listen to music enough then :P
So i can put an OS on that would boot so fast it would be like an external HDD?
I still have to go downstairs and press the button to turn it on though...
Im NOT leaving it on 24/7:P
Stick DSL on a pendrive and boot it off there if you want. You still need to press the button, but wont be waiting long.
Just had a look at DSL. It looks ok but complicated for what i need. I know you would think its basic but ive never tried linux:redface:
Does it still support things like multiple HDD's etc? How would a vista PC access files via it?:|
why not get a network storage device like someone else mensioned that run on a hell of a lot less power and r pretty cheap now
Yes i know. But im trying to find one that does all what i want..
Anyone used anything like FreeNAS before?
It looks like just what im looking for..
http://www.freenas.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=22
Yeah, FreeNAS is meant to be very good. That being said, it still doesn't get rid of the time lost in shutting down and starting up the server. You'll still need to run it 24/7
your sever os not got a stanby mode then it should only be seconds for the wol to get it up, and its using less power than being on.
what it sounds like you want is a nas that you can plug into your tv tho and use it as a media centre.
Correct marsey, My new TV should have a USB option and even an ethernet port but i still would like file storage for other PC's.
I think im going to give freeNAS a go. It looks so simple!
Im now running freeNAS. It was pretty simple to setup.
For some reason its pretty slow over my network though:|
yeah, cos its software driven via emulation. It won't match a properly built rig dedicated for NAS.
I supposed it depends on your budget but you can get media centre boxes (not a pc) that act like NAS but are optimized for media files to play whatever is plugged into it. They often come with a built-in LCD and a remote control. (look at the website owned by people in purple shirts, as Aria don't seem to stock such items)
Even though you've dismissed the idea, the server route would offer more than just storage, it offers network management (if you have more than one pc of course). I'm considering putting a server in over a nas, so i can apply security policies to the kids' pc's.
I'd imagine the rj-45 port in the tv is either for future connectivity or its just for firmware updates. I doubt its directly attachable to your network (yet)
No. It really is for the network. It connects to the router and can access files over it or Video_TS files etc.
Its a 32" Philips and im paying about £850 for it:|
Its a 32" Philips and im paying about £850 for it:|
your paying £850 for a 32" tv :O wanna post a link??
linux to linux, nfs :) but Getting wimblows to see linux is a pain in the a
you can get nfs for windoze but it is very slow, i have never bothered getting a crack let alone buying it, apparently vista ult has services for unix built in, but i don't use vista so couldn't comment on it,
many years ago i used samba to share files and printers between linux and win98, it worked but was a little limited i.e 2gb file limit
things may have changed since then
i think linux would be the way forward, you could have it up in 10 to 30 seconds providing you had it taylored to your pc, dsl will work but it will take longer as it probes hw
take a look at busybox, this is often used in embeded systems (dvd,mp3,routers etc) uglibc option is what you need
linux to linux, nfs :) but Getting wimblows to see linux is a pain in the a
you can get nfs for windoze but it is very slow, i have never bothered getting a crack let alone buying it, apparently vista ult has services for unix built in, but i don't use vista so couldn't comment on it,
many years ago i used samba to share files and printers between linux and win98, it worked but was a little limited i.e 2gb file limit
things may have changed since then
i think linux would be the way forward, you could have it up in 10 to 30 seconds providing you had it taylored to your pc, dsl will work but it will take longer as it probes hw
take a look at busybox, this is often used in embeded systems (dvd,mp3,routers etc) uglibc option is what you need
http://www.eskimo.com/%7Elo/linux/tuxqqmerge.jpg
http://www.eskimo.com/%7Elo/linux/tuxqqmerge.jpg
LOL
Maybe the beer and sun has kicked in
+ mobile aint easy to read/post from
might have to sort wifi out with a local near the pub and bring my laptop out
your paying £850 for a 32" tv :O wanna post a link??
ditto. Would like to see this.
wonderlust
12-05-08, 17:10
could be something like this?
oops competitor link :D
Philips sell a 32" pctv
wonderlust
12-05-08, 17:17
Ok Perhaps not!
Philips 32PFL7403D/10 Flat Screen TV
USB for fantastic photo and music playback
http://www.consumer.philips.com/catalog/feature/logo/F400008524.jpg
The USB connector allows access to jpeg photos and mp3 music of most USB-sticks (USB memory-class device). Plug the USB into the slot at the side of the TV and access your photos or music files. You can easily view and share your photos and music.
http://www.shop.philips.co.uk/katalog/ctl3590/cp36390/si3167021/cl/?s_kwcid=philips%2032pfl9603d|1320048848 (http://www.shop.philips.co.uk/katalog/ctl3590/cp36390/si3167021/cl/?s_kwcid=philips%2032pfl9603d%7C1320048848)
Philips 32PFL9603D/10
It was USB and an ethernet port for network hookup, (Wireless with a bridge)
Full 1080P and ambilight. In a word, The dog's Nuts!:mrgreen:
FreeNAS is still slow to load pages though.
Im running it off an old IDE HDD but i dont think that would have much to do with it:question:
Still having trouble with the slow NAS..
Im going to plug my laptop direct into the server and see if that is faster...Then i know if its a network problem or not:|
I cant see hardware slowing it down...Although it has install problems when installing from a Sata CD drive. Apperently the BSD(?) doesnt support sata drive properly...but it still works:S
cant you set the bios to see as an ide drive?
I didnt know you could do that untill after i had installed it.
I will save my config file and try to reinstall it that way.
Woo, Fixed it!
Had to buy another LAN card but its now fast. Not really fast cuse im running it over wireless but i can copy albums of music in 1 min and play them over the connection from the server with no jumps or anything:mrgreen:
Now i think i might buy 2 1TB drives and run them in a Raid 1:twisted:
http://www.shop.philips.co.uk/katalog/ctl3590/cp36390/si3167021/cl/?s_kwcid=philips%2032pfl9603d|1320048848 (http://www.shop.philips.co.uk/katalog/ctl3590/cp36390/si3167021/cl/?s_kwcid=philips%2032pfl9603d%7C1320048848)
Philips 32PFL9603D/10
It was USB and an ethernet port for network hookup, (Wireless with a bridge)
Full 1080P and ambilight. In a word, The dog's Nuts!:mrgreen:
FreeNAS is still slow to load pages though.
Im running it off an old IDE HDD but i dont think that would have much to do with it:question:
I nearly put my **** through the TV last night. It has to be the worst firmware i have come accross.
There are updates every month but they seem to get worse!
I thought they had it sorted a few updates agao and it was an awesome TV but after about 2 months it just suddenly clicked and went to pot again. Not been good since.
A few problems are:
Mute works for about 10 secs
EPG doesnt update
Turns itself on and off
Now and next EPG flashes up
Doesnt respond to the remote
Doesnt switch to HDMI inputs, You have to turn it off by the plug and back on again.
Its terrible! Luckily i have a 5 year warrenty and it would have gone back a while agao if there was somthing out there to upgrade to!:thumbsdn::evil:
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