FreeNAS & Plex - Foolproof instructions for Wake On LAN (WOL)?

[TheWoo]

I have to admit that I'm a Mac guy since 1989 and on there consider myself being a power user. However, I've never touched Windows unless inevitable (using it for certain 3d printing purposes and CAD) and only have some very basic Unix knowledge. So anything but a Linux or FreeBSD expert. Still I've managed to built my own FreeNAS, and happily use it as Plex Server and Time Machine Backup Server.

Could anyone explain me with some fool-proof instructions on how to enable Plex-specifical Wake On LAN (WOL), so that the FreeNAS powers up as soon as a Plex client in the local networks tries to contact the Plex Media Server and shuts down again if there hasn't been a streaming request for let's say 15 minutes?

My FreeNAS is using an ASRock E3C226D2I Server Motherboard which supports WOL, and which I can power up and down via the browser-based IPMI on the second Ethernet port. Software versions are FreeNAS-9.10-STABLE-201604261518 (881b70d) and Plex Media Server plugin 0.9.16.4.1911.

If the automated ON and OFF via WOL isn't possible, is there alternatively the option to power the ASRock E3C226D2I up and down using http-commands?

Thanks in advance!

 

[dlavigne]

Were you able to find the answer?

 

[pirateghost]

Powering your server off and on frequently is more wasteful than leaving it on 24/7. It's also more harmful on the hard drives and your server doesn't get an opportunity to run its maintenance tasks

 

[TheWoo]

@dlavigne Nope, no help/instruction yet. Also posted the question in the Plex Forums.

@pirateghost I use my FreeNAS really only occassionally to watch a movie or to run a backup. Total time of usage is perhaps 2-5% (4-8 hrs per week), so it really makes little sense to have the system running 24/7/365.

 

[raidflex]

You are better off storing the content on dedicated Plex server if your usage is so infrequent. I would just run a Plex server/client on PC that is connected to the TV. Or you might have better success with Kodi. I would check the Plex forums though for more information on the WOL feature.

 

[TheWoo]

Setting up another server is not an option. If WOL is not feasible, can anyone tell me if there is a proper (read: non-dangerous) shut-down HTTP command, which either talks to the FreeNAS server app or the ASRock IPMI? Same for power-on (again: I can already already power on the server through the browser-based ASRock IPMInterface).

 

[anodos]

Setting up another server is not an option. If WOL is not feasible, can anyone tell me if there is a proper (read: non-dangerous) shut-down HTTP command, which either talks to the FreeNAS server app or the ASRock IPMI? Same for power-on (again: I can already already power on the server through the browser-based ASRock IPMInterface).

http://api.freenas.org/resources/system.html#shutdown

 

[TheWoo]

I'm terribly sorry, but I have little to no coding knowledge. Basic HTML knowledge only. Can you explain me on how to turn that shutdown command into a URL? Do I put those command lines into an executable .html file which I then call? If so, exactly where to place that file!?

 

[pirateghost]

I'm terribly sorry, but I have little to no coding knowledge. Basic HTML knowledge only. Can you explain me on how to turn that shutdown command into a URL? Do I put those command lines into an executable .html file which I then call? If so, exactly where to place that file!?

You would probably use some JavaScript or (shudder) php to write it...

 

[anodos]

You would probably use some JavaScript or (shudder) php to write it...

I think the below python script would do it (I don't mess with the API personally):

Code:

import requests

print requests.post(
          'http://192.168.0.42/api/v1.0/system/shutdown/',
          auth=('root', 'password'),
)

Of course, plug in your own IP-address and password.

 

[TheWoo]

Thanks a lot @anados, but that python script is exactly stored where? Sorry, but I have really way too little knowledge about web programming...

 

[pirateghost]

Thanks a lot @anados, but that python script is exactly stored where? Sorry, but I have really way too little knowledge about web programming...

You would put it wherever you want to run it from. It doesn't need to be on the FreeNAS box....