kunalraiker Posted August 6, 2014 Share #1 Posted August 6, 2014 I'am new here, and looking to build a mini computer to be able to transcode files using plex. I would like to install the XPEnology OS but need information on where to start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesjfa Posted August 6, 2014 Share #2 Posted August 6, 2014 Hey I've just completed the same thing. I had a DS412 but this just couldn't cut it so built my own. Was going to install OMV (Open Media Vault) until I came across Xpenology. Anyway here is what I used Fractal Designs Node 304 case i3 4150 Gigabyte H97 board 4 x 3TB HDD's Corsair bronze 500w PSU 8GB Kingston Memory Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesjfa Posted August 6, 2014 Share #3 Posted August 6, 2014 Sorry should have added, plex runs great. Also have plexconnect running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kunalraiker Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted August 6, 2014 Hey I've just completed the same thing. I had a DS412 but this just couldn't cut it so built my own. Was going to install OMV (Open Media Vault) until I came across Xpenology. Anyway here is what I used Fractal Designs Node 304 case i3 4150 Gigabyte H97 board 4 x 3TB HDD's Corsair bronze 500w PSU 8GB Kingston Memory Hope this helps Thanks, But Could you point me to instructions on installation from scratch ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesjfa Posted August 6, 2014 Share #5 Posted August 6, 2014 Have you put together a machine? Are you just looking for OS install instructions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kunalraiker Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted August 6, 2014 Have you put together a machine? Are you just looking for OS install instructions? I have not put together the machine yet, but yes I'am looking for the OS install instructions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koolvn Posted August 6, 2014 Share #7 Posted August 6, 2014 There is at least 2 ways as far as I know: bare metal vs virtual machine, and here are some basic differences: * Bare Metal: - Install DSM directly on your drive - Good enough for older or weak hardware - Might not able to take out HDDs and put in other machines * ESXi (Virtual Machine): - Install DSM on Virtual Machine - Require newer or stronger hardware (requirements to run VM) - Able to take out HDDs and put in another VMs Since my hardware are follows: - MB: old Intel mITX - CPU: old Intel Atom 1.6GHz (2 cores / 4 threats) - RAM: 4GB DDR3 (max supported) - HDD: 1TB 7200rpm x 1 - SSD: 16GB (but not implemented yet, would use it for ESXi later) - USB: 64MB - PSU: 450W - Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced Since my hw is old and weak and I've got them all Free After Rebates except the case and 1TB HDD I've paid 20 bucks each after rebates and coupons, so I've only paid 40 bucks plus tax for the whole system, I'm using them to experiment and to familiar myself with DSM first, and note that don't use 32MB or smaller size USB since it will be formatted as FAT not FAT32 so use at least 64MB USB. Here is the Bare Metal guide that I've used: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3462 Then before I build a strong hw for real activities, I would use this same setup to experiment ESXi with these guides: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3564 viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3132 Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berwhale Posted August 6, 2014 Share #8 Posted August 6, 2014 Quick question - why do you need to transcode files and not play them with DirectPlay? You may be better off upgrading your client(s) and spending less on the NAS, the electricity it uses and minimizing the heat and noise it generates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnapps Posted August 11, 2014 Share #9 Posted August 11, 2014 There is at least 2 ways as far as I know: bare metal vs virtual machine, and here are some basic differences: * Bare Metal: - Install DSM directly on your drive - Good enough for older or weak hardware - Might not able to take out HDDs and put in other machines * ESXi (Virtual Machine): - Install DSM on Virtual Machine - Require newer or stronger hardware (requirements to run VM) - Able to take out HDDs and put in another VMs Since my hardware are follows: - MB: old Intel mITX - CPU: old Intel Atom 1.6GHz (2 cores / 4 threats) - RAM: 4GB DDR3 (max supported) - HDD: 1TB 7200rpm x 1 - SSD: 16GB (but not implemented yet, would use it for ESXi later) - USB: 64MB - PSU: 450W - Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced Since my hw is old and weak and I've got them all Free After Rebates except the case and 1TB HDD I've paid 20 bucks each after rebates and coupons, so I've only paid 40 bucks plus tax for the whole system, I'm using them to experiment and to familiar myself with DSM first, and note that don't use 32MB or smaller size USB since it will be formatted as FAT not FAT32 so use at least 64MB USB. Here is the Bare Metal guide that I've used: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3462 Then before I build a strong hw for real activities, I would use this same setup to experiment ESXi with these guides: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3564 viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3132 Hope this helps You can definitively move the HDDs to a different physical environment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kunalraiker Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted August 11, 2014 Quick question - why do you need to transcode files and not play them with DirectPlay? You may be better off upgrading your client(s) and spending less on the NAS, the electricity it uses and minimizing the heat and noise it generates. The client used is Roku 3 and there are a few movies it cannot direct play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koolvn Posted August 12, 2014 Share #11 Posted August 12, 2014 There is at least 2 ways as far as I know: bare metal vs virtual machine, and here are some basic differences: * Bare Metal: - Install DSM directly on your drive - Good enough for older or weak hardware - Might not able to take out HDDs and put in other machines * ESXi (Virtual Machine): - Install DSM on Virtual Machine - Require newer or stronger hardware (requirements to run VM) - Able to take out HDDs and put in another VMs Since my hardware are follows: - MB: old Intel mITX - CPU: old Intel Atom 1.6GHz (2 cores / 4 threats) - RAM: 4GB DDR3 (max supported) - HDD: 1TB 7200rpm x 1 - SSD: 16GB (but not implemented yet, would use it for ESXi later) - USB: 64MB - PSU: 450W - Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced Since my hw is old and weak and I've got them all Free After Rebates except the case and 1TB HDD I've paid 20 bucks each after rebates and coupons, so I've only paid 40 bucks plus tax for the whole system, I'm using them to experiment and to familiar myself with DSM first, and note that don't use 32MB or smaller size USB since it will be formatted as FAT not FAT32 so use at least 64MB USB. Here is the Bare Metal guide that I've used: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3462 Then before I build a strong hw for real activities, I would use this same setup to experiment ESXi with these guides: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3564 viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3132 Hope this helps You can definitively move the HDDs to a different physical environment! So might be I should edit it as follows: "On bare metal, when moving HDDs to different system, you have to rebuild same version of DSM and then upgrade DSM to the latest version if interested while on ESXi, you can plug HDDs in other VMs and access data on those HDDs right away" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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