Your Home Setup

[protocol77]

i used to own two of those ML03B cases from silverstone but i ended up having to give them away to family and friends everyone who saw them and wanted me to build them a HTPC as for the same case as it fit in their cabinets and blended well like a large dvd player

the store i bought them from sold out so had to give them mine and get myself something else from what i hear they sold very well and rightfully so a nice quality case with plenty of room for HTPC purposes

I just went out a managed to grab the Very last Asrock B75 Pro4-m that my local PC store had today by chance they said out of stock on their website but whilst i was there picking up some other stuff i asked what 1155 boards they had expecting them to say none but turns out they had one of these left so i grabbed it as it has 8 Sata ports and Two PCI ports so i can connect up around 12 Hard drives to it i was given a computer someone didn’t want anymore and it actually had a i5 3330 in it so i grabbed it and stripped the thing for parts along with other good pieces of equipment and i am using this board along with that i5 3330 for my new server was going to go with something more low power and may in the future but for now i can rebuild my server for like $73 as i have all the other parts already in my current server just might buy ssd for it i am liking the Samsung Evo series they are super quick i have only used the 120gb ones but cold boot to desktop in about 10 seconds cannot complain about that

kind makes the whole annoyance in having to reboot windows servers vs not having to with linux a moot point

[Spritzup]

My current home setup (I say current, as I’m always tweaking it) -->

Server
OS = ESXi 5.1
Mobo = Supermicro MBD-X9SCM-F-O
CPU = Intel Xeon 1230 v2
Ram = 24 GB Kingston ECC DDR3
Network = Quad Port Intel Server NIC
Storage Controller = IBM M1015 (passed through to unraid)
Port Expander = HP 24-Port SAS Expander (passed through to unraid)
Datastore #1 = Intel 335 240GB (I think)
Datastore #2 = Sandisk Extreme 240GB
Download Drive = Western Digital Black 750GB
Snapshot/VM Backup Drive = Seagate 7200.11 1TB
PSU = Corsair 750 Modular Gold
Case = Norco 4224

VM #1 - Router
OS = pfSense 2.1
1x Virtual Nic (lan side)
1x passthrough nic (onboard/wan side)

VM #2 - Storage
OS = unRaid 5
Cache Drive = Seagate 1TB (7200.14?)
Parity Drive = Seagate 3TB (7200.14?)
Data Drive(s) = Mix of 2 and 3TB drive (25 TB total)

VM #3 - Downloads
OS = Ubuntu 12.04 (LTS)
Software = SabNZBD 0.7.17
Software = Transmission

VM #4 - Kids Snatch Server
OS = Ubuntu 12.04 (LTS)
Software = Couchpotato
Software = Sickbeard (soon to be NZBD)

VM #5 - Adult Snatch Server
OS = Ubuntu 12.04 (LTS)
Software = Couchpotato
Software = NZBD

VM #6 - Plex Media Server
OS = Ubuntu 12.04 (LTS)
Software = Plex Media Server

VM #7 - Reverse Proxy Server
OS = Ubuntu 12.04 (LTS)
Software = Apache
Software = COPS

VM #8 - Crashplan Server
OS = Ubuntu 12.04 Desktop (LTS)
Software = Crashplan

VM #9 - SQL DB Server
OS = Ubuntu 12.04 (LTS)
Software = SQL (to centralize XBMC DB)

VM #10 - Print Server (Coming soon)
OS = Ubuntu 12.04 (LTS)
Software = Cups

VM #11 - UPS Monitor (Coming soon)
OS = Centos 6.4 Server
Software = UPS Tools

This is all sitting in my basement on a custom (aka ghetto) lack rack.

I then have 2 XMBC boxes setup. My main one is running an i3 with 4gb of ram and a 60gb SSD. This is packaged up in a mini-itx lian-li case. My second (and less often used) XBMC box is also a mini-itx board with a celeron 1007, 4gb ram and 60gb SSD. This one is packaged in an Antec case. Both systems are running OpenElec (XBMC 12.2).

My main PC (and my wife’s) are much less interesting and are in desperate need of an upgrade. We’ve hit the point where they both need full rebuilds, which is why I’ve been putting it off. Hopefully this summer we get some extra funds, but we’ll see how things go

Any questions feel free to ask

~Spritz

Apparently I’m daft, but I don’t see how to do proper formatting in these posts (eg - bold)… sorry for the wall of text.

[protocol77]

holy crap that is a massive setup

[sdjaime]

@Spritzup Damn nice setup. Seems like mine on steroids. Couple of questions, if you don’t mind…

Curious why you separated out so many of your tasks on different Ubuntu VMs (i.e., downloade, snatch, SQL server, etc.).

Any reason why you’re rolling both XBMC w/centralized SQL and PMS together?

[Spritzup]

Hey sdjaime,

The reason for so many VM’s was ease of troubleshooting/upgrades/rebuilds. Previously I had multiple apps running less VM’s, but their really is no benefit to that. This way I can make changes to a single system, without impacting the rest of the infrastructure.

As for SQL and PMS. I use PMS to stream to my devices when I’m not at home (I like the interface), but I don’t like home client for Plex (or Plexbmc), hence the SQL database. Quite honestly, both systems are very much set and forget… I don’t even remember the last time I logged into either of them…

~Spritz

[protocol77]

I gotta ask why you use so VM’s to begin with and have you found any benefit in using VM’s versus just having a Host OS apart from having to run all these functions on the same OS

the reason i ask is i am basically trying to give myself a reason to use VM machines for my server i currently have Windows 7x64 running on my server this is due to driver support for some of my hardware but i am waiting on some stuff to be delivered before i begin work on my new and improved server which i will most likely end up running Server 2012 or just Windows 8.1 I am a complete linux noob i have spent a fair amount of time trying to use it but i keep hitting roadblocks so i keep reverting back to windows so i will just stick to the microsoft universe where i am more comfortable

I notice you are most running Ubuntu servers is this because of cost or simply as i am comfortable with windows OS you feel the same about Linux and Ubuntu

apart from the ability to copy over a VM image to a secondary machine and run it in the case of a hardware issue on my server i could run that on my desktop to keep it operational whilst i fix the hardware issue then transition back when it has been fixed for that i think it would be a great idea then i think about resource usage and the issue where at least with virtualbox i cannot seem to get my hard drives to be visibile inside a VM so they appear as local drives

BTW as i mentioned above i am planning on retiring my current server and giving life to a new one this will probably happen sometime next week i am just waiting on a CPU Cooler and some Isopropyl alchocol to be delivered i purchased off ebay (Isopropyl to clean Thermal paste off new CPU that is coming from another PC build)

when i begin this i might make either a short video of before setup and after setup for my youtube channel or i might take some pictures i will post a link here when i do it so you guys can see my setup i have it is not on the same level as some others here but i know myself i enjoy seeing other people’s setup’s especially servers so perhaps some here may be interested

anyway will post that when it is done

[sdjaime]

I know this wasn’t directed at me, but I can chime in to some reasonings why one would use Ubuntu VMs over Windows…

An Ubuntu server without a desktop requires very few system resources. I have heard anecdotal evidence that Plex, for example, requires less memory and CPU cores on Ubuntu vs Windows with similar transcoding performance (I’m still guilty of running it on Windows, however). Linux memory management is superior, as is stability–Linux doesn’t require reboots all that often (really for kernel upgrades, in my experience).

But, if you’re more comfortable with Windows, then run Windows. Roll an Ubuntu VM to tinker with and learn more about Linux. I’ve been debating moving PMS to Ubuntu ever since Plex began supporting Linux, but I keep sticking with Windows because it has been a solid platform for me. Sometimes if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.

[protocol77]

@sdjaime

those are some good points but like you said if you’re more comfortable with windows the run windows

this is my thinking i have tried several different linux distros over the last year mostly in Virtualbox but sometimes on my spare testing computers and whilst they have worked solidly i just cannot justify the time and effort to get things up and running and configure when it is insanely so much easier on a windows system and i have had no major issues with windows since i started using it back with Windows 98 which i got on my first computer when i started high school Well apart from Win ME but we all know what that was like i swore to the heavens that once i could afford to buy a new computer i would take a sledgehammer to my PC after constant BSOD this was before i knew how to use and repair computers properly so i thought it was the computer not the OS

anyways Windows 8.1 which i am currently running on two of my machines (HTPC and Workstation) have been working fantastic not one issue or crash surprisingly stable so unless i start getting BSOD or some other major issue i don’t really have the need to switch people say about resources sure that may be an issue if you are running a really old piece of hardware but anything built in the last 5 years should run Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 without issue and with hardware fairly cheap nowadays i don’t see the lack of resources being a issue even with the Footprint Improvements with Windows 8.1 (definitely lighter than windows 7)

I have built 3 desktop computers for different people over the last couple weeks and all for around $600 and that is because of prices here in Australia and also they wanted specific things like 8GB DDR3 1600mhz ram and Samsung SSD’s and 2TB drives

if i went just barebones i could probably do it for like $300-$400 which is not a massive amount of money for something that can run the latest OS and even have one or more VM’s running as well.

Let’s not forget it is quite obvious how much more stable NzbDrone runs on Windows there are constant posts from people who have been having issues with Mono and NzbDrone this is down to Nzbdrone being developed with .Net because as @markus101 has mentioned he was already a .Net Developer before NzbDrone project was started so it made sense as he could support it more if he used what he already knew.

Saying all this i hope this isn’t the beginning of a Linux Vs Windows flame war that is not my intention just putting my opinions forward and welcome others to do the same it all really comes down to use whatever you like as long as you are comfortable and you use NzbDrone that is a MANDATORY requirement Lol Jk

[flat4]

My experience.
I love macs and I’m a hardcore fan. However I was not a fan a long time ago (circa os 8.1) I was hardcore windows person but when I saw I could boot off a different Mac while connected via FireWire it was converted. Today I still love Mac but I know I need windows to do my job. But when I need a stable server I use Ubuntu because I know it’s stable and it’s free!
Now we need movies integrated because I like how nzbdrone downloads better quality versions of a show.

[protocol77]

haha if i remember correctly there is a feature request on trello for movies but maybe torrents support first with all this DMCA takedowns i think it is a little more urgent

as for Macs havent really used them i do however have an iphone and ipad and they are quality stuff but for productivity i think windows is still clearly king at least my opinion

[flat4]

I’m not a fan of torrents and maybe it’s because I havent use
Them since limewire. I did not get a letter from the mpaa but a lot of my friends did so I didn’t download anything until a friend told me about usenet.

[protocol77]

yeah there is that downside to torrents but that can be sorted by simply using a VPN Service

[protocol77]

Just a Quick Update guys i received the CPU Fan and Isopropyl Alcohol i ordered on eBay today i still have to buy a case for my server (i hate the old one) but i have started making short videos of some of the steps and plans i will try and upload them to YouTube asap it will probably be a several part series as i am doing this in steps but i get into what some of the parts are why i am doing it and show some of the things like installing CPU and first boot up

I have just updated the BIOS on it and then packed it back in the box until i get a case to keep it protected as soon as the videos are on YouTube i will post links not sure if anyone is even interested but if they are they will be available i personally enjoy watching videos like this and i have done a series before i my current server before i moved home and i posted them on YouTube as well got a surprising amount of views not massive but around a couple hundred people which is cool for me

[protocol77]

Ok here is the first couple parts had to split it up as my connection sucks so could not upload great big videos at once there is more parts to come i just need to buy a new Server case before i can continue

if you have any questions or comments either let me know here or on the YouTube comments itself there are links to each next video pop up during the last 10 or so seconds of each video so you can just press the first one and follow along like that if you wish

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

I will be doing a video on my current server probably over the weekend and i will post that too for those that interested although for now though here is a video i did on my server at my old house last year it hasn’t changed that much since then but i have changed a few things and attempted to clean up the cables (you’ll see what i mean)

[digitoxin]

I’m happy to answer any questions about my server setup.

Server

Hardware

AMD Athlon II X4 630 2.80 GHz
8 GB RAM
128 GB SSD for Boot
8.5 TB Storage for media (2 3TB, 1 2TB, and 1 500 GB)
18 TB Offline storage
2 Intel Gigabit Ethernet adapters (1 is dedicated to streaming)
8 Port Gigabit switch in server closet
3 5 Port Gigabit switches throughout the house
Cat-6 run to almost every room in the house

Software

Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard
NzbDrone (Of Course!)
SABnzbd
newznab (Run my own indexer)
CouchPotato
Serviio (For streaming around the house)

Clients

2 Samsung BD-C5500 Blu-Ray players
1 Roku 3
1 WD TV Live Streaming

[davlaw]

PowerEdge 1435 with 16 gig dual quad AMD 8360 (don’t recall speed)
Proxmox VE 3.3

Guest

Subsonic on ubuntu 14.04.1 server
Sabnzbd on ubuntu 14.04.1 server
transmission on ubuntu 14.04.1 server
mysql for all on ubuntu 14.04.1 server
Maraschino on ubuntu 14.04.1 server
Sonarr (nzbdrone) on ubuntu 14.04.01 server

File servers (built on some discarded hardware) one for TV and the other for cinema. Disk systems for the above VMs.

Freenas with 1.2 TB raid
Openmediavault 1.3 TB raid

Ubuntu based 1 TB raid for music storage

This feeds 3 raspberry pi running openelec, 2 for streaming to TVs and 1 as master for keeping xbmc database updated.

There is a lot of other axillary components that glue all this together to much to list here in any detail. But this is the meat and potatoes of the system.

The raspberry units always surprise me with how well they do and seem to hold up great. But support will move on to better and cheaper platforms at some point I sure. They will play about anything I throw at them.

Proxmox is a great open-source solution. Great for home and works great in business too, I use it in both places.

Oh yea, couple of Roku boxes, Chromecast etc… like I said, alot of other junk tied on the edges.

[SK360]

Media Server is:
Coolermaster CM690 II Advanced case
Some Gigabyte Motherboard
Some Core 2 Duo (Don’t remember CPU/Mobo combo as a friend gave me parts she didn’t want anymore and I threw them in a closet until I decided to replace my old Intel DG965RY mobo and Pentium D 820 I had running this server)
4GB ram
Monoprice SATAII PCI-e card
3x2TB WD Green drives
1x2TB WD Red drive
1x80GB Seagate drive used for applications, logs and SAB temp download location
OS is XPEnology (Hacked Synology for generic hardware) DSM 5.1
Sonarr, Couchpotato & SABNZBD run as services in DSM

Media client is:
Intel NUC DCCP847DYE w/ 2GB RAM running Openelec 5.0.1/Kodi 14.1, works perfect for bitstreaming DTS-MA & Dolby TrueHD to my receiver.
Using a FLIRC for IR w/ a Harmony 650 to control it.

[silk186]

i5 2500k @ 4.5GHz :: hyper 212+ :: GA-Z68-UD3H-B3 :: MSI 280x 3GB :: Corsair Vengance
2x4GB:: Samsung 830 256GB :: 2x Toshiba 3TB :: Corsair RM650 :: CM Storm
Enforcer :: ASUS VE247H :: LG 42LB5500 :: Microlabs Fc360

[JSKershaw]

Here’s my setup. It took sometime to create over the years. The NAS/Server is new (about 6 months old) used to have a QNAP219P+ with 2 x 3TB WD Red drives in RAID. If you have any questions about my setup, please let me know.
Enjoy!

NAS File Server: Running OpenMediaVault NAS software - Sonarr (with Mono), SABnzbd and Couchpotato
Case:
Fractal Design Node 304 - White
Motherboard:
ASUS H87I-PLUS Socket 1150 Intel H87 Chipset
CPU:
Intel Pentium G3420 Dual-Core Processor
Memory/RAM:
ADATA XPG V1 Series Black 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz
Power Supply:
Antec VP450 450W Continuous Power Supply
Hard Drives:
3 x 3TB WD Red (running in RAID) Main Media Storage
2 x 1.5TB Seagate Barracuda (running in RAID) Backup Files
1 x 300GB Seagate Barracuda - System Drive
Network:
Gigabit LAN Cat5e
UPS:
CyberPower - CP685AVR

Home Theatre PC: Running Windows 7 Home 64bit with Plex Media Server and Plex Home Theatre
Running an Intel Core i3 with 4GB of RAM, Gigabit Lan, and a 300GB WD Hard Drive. Hard wired with CAT5e cable to home network.
Connected directly to a 46" Sharp Aquos LCD TV and Sony 7.1 Home Theatre Sound System via HDMI
Controlled with Logitech Harmony Ultimate remote (via BT and some hackery )

With Plex and its app ecosystem I’m able to connect my multiple Android phones, tablets, laptops, 2 Google Chromecasts and Roku2 throughout the house over wifi and/or LTE. As well as share my media with friends and family all over the world. In the future I would like to migrate my Plex Media Server install over to my NAS and just have my Home Theatre PC run Plex Home Theatre software.

Network Infrastructure:
D-Link DIR-826L N600 (wireless disabled connected directly to cable modem and using routers DHCP)
ASUS RT-AC68U Wireless Router (AP Mode - Wireless N 2.4GHz and 5GHz) with guest mode activated
D-Link DIR-655 (AP Mode - Wireless G 2.4GHz)

[osmack]

hey Spritz, i can’t find a way to PM, so I’m hoping you’ll get the thread notifcation…

I’m in the midst of migrating my aging hardware setup over to an HP DL385 hypervisor, and separating all the same apps into dedicated VMs (almost exactly) as you outlined. Serendipitously, I just stumbled on your post today and wondering if you wouldn’t mind sharing:

(1) your system experience from the last year of use, including wife acceptance factor, kid ease of use, remote family stream-leaching, etc.
(2) the actual system specs for each dedicated VM (how many sockets+cores/RAM/storage/vLAN ports)
(3) any changes/setup tweaks you’ve ironed out while streamlining your environment.

Many thanks!
-osmack