2019-03-12, 16:06
I am back to say thank you once again.
And once again Kodi has pushed me to move in new directions, I never imagined.
Thanks for that.
My Mac Mini (late 2009) was getting to slow to use as my media server.
I was running dosdude’s High Sierra for older macs, it was slow but it worked.
I ran Emby Server and HDHR Record (DVR) server and Airplay/iTunes on the mini.
I even installed a new SSD. The mac worked, but was way too slow.
SMB/Samba was very slow.
So I needed a new Media Server that fit my Kool-aid budget.
I asked for some advice and ideas here.
1. Raspberry pi media server? (Was hoping for an upgrade over the mac)
2. wipe the macOS and install Lubuntu? (Want to keep a MacOS system for now.)
3. NUC media server? (Maybe?)
New Server on the cheap. All the research got me thinking. I had an old ASUS laptop that was unusable do to a dodgy power port (overheating).
My Solution: permanently attach the power supply to the laptop. Defeats the portability but works great just sitting on a shelf. I added a new SSD installed Kubuntu (because I like it and use it on my thinkpad) Tested it for few days and it was working well and no over heating!
My wife always wonders why I keep old broken or unused computer parts/junk, this is why!
Now that I had a computer, The next issue was getting my media (19TB) moved from HFS+ drives to EXT4 drives. So I had to learn that adding new external drives to a Linux system is way different than it is on a Mac. Formatting, assigning mount points and assigning permissions was a brain frying experience. It is actually simple and easy once you understand the process. Until then my brain was turned to a jello like substance for a few days.
The next step was networking - After more research and advice I went with NFS. This too was a challenge, but was well worth it. I am amazed how fast my file sharing is now. Not sure how much that is due to the Mac, SMB or both.
Media transfer – So after learning more about assigning permissions for clients, I mounted my new Linux drives via NFS on the mac. Then I used Carbon Copy Cloner to transfer the media. This was a very slow process but worked very well.
I now have a Kubuntu based Kodi Media Server running Emby Server and HDHR Record.
I could not be happier. It is fast and very stable. It took about 6 weeks to accomplish but was well worth it.
This would not have been possible without the Wiki, the help and advice I got here, as well as the Kubuntu forum and the Emby forum.
To anyone considering a similar move I am happy to help in any way I can.
A big thank you to all here!
And once again Kodi has pushed me to move in new directions, I never imagined.
Thanks for that.
My Mac Mini (late 2009) was getting to slow to use as my media server.
I was running dosdude’s High Sierra for older macs, it was slow but it worked.
I ran Emby Server and HDHR Record (DVR) server and Airplay/iTunes on the mini.
I even installed a new SSD. The mac worked, but was way too slow.
SMB/Samba was very slow.
So I needed a new Media Server that fit my Kool-aid budget.
I asked for some advice and ideas here.
1. Raspberry pi media server? (Was hoping for an upgrade over the mac)
2. wipe the macOS and install Lubuntu? (Want to keep a MacOS system for now.)
3. NUC media server? (Maybe?)
New Server on the cheap. All the research got me thinking. I had an old ASUS laptop that was unusable do to a dodgy power port (overheating).
My Solution: permanently attach the power supply to the laptop. Defeats the portability but works great just sitting on a shelf. I added a new SSD installed Kubuntu (because I like it and use it on my thinkpad) Tested it for few days and it was working well and no over heating!
My wife always wonders why I keep old broken or unused computer parts/junk, this is why!
Now that I had a computer, The next issue was getting my media (19TB) moved from HFS+ drives to EXT4 drives. So I had to learn that adding new external drives to a Linux system is way different than it is on a Mac. Formatting, assigning mount points and assigning permissions was a brain frying experience. It is actually simple and easy once you understand the process. Until then my brain was turned to a jello like substance for a few days.
The next step was networking - After more research and advice I went with NFS. This too was a challenge, but was well worth it. I am amazed how fast my file sharing is now. Not sure how much that is due to the Mac, SMB or both.
Media transfer – So after learning more about assigning permissions for clients, I mounted my new Linux drives via NFS on the mac. Then I used Carbon Copy Cloner to transfer the media. This was a very slow process but worked very well.
I now have a Kubuntu based Kodi Media Server running Emby Server and HDHR Record.
I could not be happier. It is fast and very stable. It took about 6 weeks to accomplish but was well worth it.
This would not have been possible without the Wiki, the help and advice I got here, as well as the Kubuntu forum and the Emby forum.
To anyone considering a similar move I am happy to help in any way I can.
A big thank you to all here!
