Personal Dilemma (server is underutilized)

[DLMJOSLIN]

Hello All,

I have a problem... I built a server mostly for using Plex Media Server, and storing all my media files. The server is always on that way if my family wants to utilize Plex they may do so, I also set up user shares so that my family can store whatever from their personal computers if need be.

My problem is I rarely have time to actually sit down and watch anything and my family hasn't used Plex or their shares in around 3 months. I feel like its a waste of a capable machine as well as electricity.

Does anyone have input on finding more ways to utilize the current server build or ideas on how to move forward and get the most use from this machine?

*Current server build details in signature.

 

[Chris Moore]

You have to work with your family to get them to access the media on the Plex. It takes some training and they have to be into it to some degree. My wife and daughters love being able to access the menu through the app on our smart TV and play what ever video they want on demand. My wife and I copy all our data onto the NAS for safekeeping and keep a subset of the data on our laptops so it is ready to go with at any time. It is just a matter of getting them and yourself to actually use it. Or, you could put it up on eBay and sell it.

 

[Stux]

Setup automated backups from your client machines to the server...

Install ESXi ;)

If you have iPhones/iPads/iEtc, install an OSX VM... then Mac OS X server and enable the software update cache...

Steam cache?

Audio server

Install pfSense and use that as a gateway...

Setup an Automated Ripping Machine

Setup home automation :)

Find some useful dockers...

Any other uses for an underutilized 24/7 server with enterprise grade storage?

 

[danb35]

If you have iPhones/iPads/iEtc, install an OSX VM... then Mac OS X server and enable the software update cache..

 

[Stux]

:)

Will show later

 

[danb35]

Will show later

So after some playing around (and a helpful blog post), I have El Capitan running under Proxmox, though I'd still be interested to see it run under bhyve just for comparison. Can't log into the App Store yet. Looks like Server is a $20 purchase, which is mildly annoying, but not too big of a deal. Working...

 

[Stux]

:)

Will show later

So after some playing around (and a helpful blog post), I have El Capitan running under Proxmox, though I'd still be interested to see it run under bhyve just for comparison. Can't log into the App Store yet. Looks like Server is a $20 purchase, which is mildly annoying, but not too big of a deal. Working...

Made a post...
Installing macOS Sierra under ESXi 6.5U1

 

[danb35]

Installing macOS Sierra under ESXi 6.5U1

Cool, and thanks, though I don't use ESXi--though I'm still wondering about installing it under bhyve/iohyve on FreeNAS. But I figured out my issue with the App Store--org.chameleon.Boot.plist needs to be in /Extra/ on the installed system. I'm now able to log in to the App Store, and the system automatically boots as well. Even got the screen resolution increased.

 

[garm]

Hear hear!

At the moment my primary workstation is in bad need of replacement. Only issue replacing the iMac with something like Librem 13 is the need of iTunes to manage my phone. This would be glorious if it was possible under bhyve

 

[danb35]

There's always the Hackintosh option--www.tonymacx86.com seems to have some good info on that. I'd think that, for it to really be usable as your primary workstation, you'd need to be able to pass through a video card to the VM--not sure if that's possible under bhyve yet.

 

[garm]

There's always the Hackintosh option--www.tonymacx86.com seems to have some good info on that. I'd think that, for it to really be usable as your primary workstation, you'd need to be able to pass through a video card to the VM--not sure if that's possible under bhyve yet.

No my main computer would then be the Librem. And the few things it would not be able to do (manage the iPhone for instance) would then be done by the VM.

 

[danb35]

OK, Sierra is running in the VM now, and Server is installed. Caching doesn't want to start, though; the logs show an error of INVALID DEVICE.

Edit: Generated a serial number and UUID using the Clover Configurator, and it seems to be working now. And I've probably threadjacked enough already.

 

[digity]

Hello All,

I have a problem... I built a server mostly for using Plex Media Server, and storing all my media files. The server is always on that way if my family wants to utilize Plex they may do so, I also set up user shares so that my family can store whatever from their personal computers if need be.

My problem is I rarely have time to actually sit down and watch anything and my family hasn't used Plex or their shares in around 3 months. I feel like its a waste of a capable machine as well as electricity.

Does anyone have input on finding more ways to utilize the current server build or ideas on how to move forward and get the most use from this machine?

*Current server build details in signature.

Just get a dual NIC, Intel CPU Synology NAS or equivalent. It does file sharing, syncing of Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, etc., Plex Media Server, Bittorent, Sonarr, Couch Potato, ESXi datastores, Docker, CrashPlan (RIP) and so on. Smaller in size, eats way less energy and they're constantly adding nerd/geek friendly features. I've had Synologys for 7 years now, had a ESXi box for 5 years and built my first FreeNAS earlier this year... then realized a month ago if I add more RAM to the Synology it can do 95% of what I'm trying to do with the ESXi and FreeNAS servers. W?BIC! obviously won't let me do that, but the power consumption and annoying-ness of supporting various technologies and boxes is wearing on me.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Ericloewe]

Just get a dual NIC, Intel CPU Synology NAS or equivalent. It does file sharing, syncing of Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, etc., Plex Media Server, Bittorent, Sonarr, Couch Potato, ESXi datastores, Docker, CrashPlan (RIP) and so on. Smaller in size, eats way less energy and they're constantly adding nerd/geek friendly features. I've had Synologys for 7 years now, had a ESXi box for 5 years and built my first FreeNAS earlier this year... then realized a month ago if I add more RAM to the Synology it can do 95% of what I'm trying to do with the ESXi and FreeNAS servers. W?BIC! obviously won't let me do that, but the power consumption and annoying-ness of supporting various technologies and boxes is wearing on me.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

It doesn't make the least bit of sense to replace a working FreeNAS server with an absurdly-expensive off-the-shelf NAS box that is, at best, as good as the current server. Energy usage is also not going to be magically lower.

and they're constantly adding nerd/geek friendly features.

Too bad they're wasting time with secondary stuff instead of getting a reliable filesystem.

 

[digity]

It doesn't make the least bit of sense to replace a working FreeNAS server with an absurdly-expensive off-the-shelf NAS box that is, at best, as good as the current server. Energy usage is also not going to be magically lower.


Too bad they're wasting time with secondary stuff instead of getting a reliable filesystem.

True, it doesn't make sense if he's going to continue messing with FreeNAS, but it looks like he's sunsetting. He still needs basic storage functions so dump the lifted off-road SUV and pick up a CRV

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Stux]

Hear hear!

At the moment my primary workstation is in bad need of replacement. Only issue replacing the iMac with something like Librem 13 is the need of iTunes to manage my phone. This would be glorious if it was possible under bhyve

The same technique I documented works with Free VMWare workstation.

I run a lot of different macOS instances for dev testing.

 

[nightshade00013]

Another thing to add to the list is Syncthing, install it in the server and then set the app up on the phones so they can automatically backup pictures. Setting the server so that it has a file versioning so even if someone deletes a picture on their phone it can be recovered from the server for a couple weeks is a nice feature. Adding the folders into Plex will also allow the kids and/or wife to pull plex up and show off their photography skills, though for you and the wife I would suggest syncing only when plugged in so you can move the "private" pictures and keep them off the server or make sure that only you and her can see them in Plex.

I also use it for ringtones when I had to setup a new phone and then worry about either backing them up or copying them over again I decided to set the server in read only mode for my ringtones. Then just add new ones to the folder on the server and anything new is added to all the devices set to receive them.

Game servers for the kids, install a VM with a linux server os and grab something like GamePanelX and setup some small private servers for the kids to use. They can invite their friends to play online games together.

Small in home website. Install a webserver in a jail along with Drupal and give the wife and kids a place to put discussion and household announcements.

Web server in a VM for an extended family website. Something a little more hardened for web serving to protect your FreeNAS if you are going to forward a port in. Why rely on facebook among other things to keep your pictures and posts safe while making them money.

Build another server for a family member and use Syncthing to keep their movies updated with yours. If they can borrow a movie why can't you sync them one? So far including mine I have built out three servers.... One of these days I should actually find out if iXsystems accepts bitcoin donations.

As far as getting them trained to use plex, turn off the cable and disconnect the antenna after 30 minutes they will be bored and fire up plex. I don't have cable and had an issue where the antenna amp was acting up while I was not home. Didn't take too long before the wife and the mother in law learned how to make plex work. I still catch my wife watching some of the same stuff on broadcast that is on Plex but when I say "You realise I have that on Plex" she often switches over.