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[crazygambit]

The movie playback is always fine. But it takes forever for me to just sync a movie in the library and changing a poster, which goes much faster on my desktop I see.

Everything in Plex Home Theater is fine. No stutter and sound has always been fine.

I only had trouble with the Media Server because it had become extremely slow to load things on the NAS.

[edit]
Now that I remember. The thing is, that my desktop computer always loses the connection to my Plex library on the NAS. Because I have it set up as a P://Plex folder, but because it loses the connection, I have to log in every time. Very inconvenient.

I've always used SMB shares and never had lost connection issues, though both my desktop and NAS are on 24/7.

 

[Pachimari]

I've always used SMB shares and never had lost connection issues, though both my desktop and NAS are on 24/7.

SMB shares?

I just map a folder on my NAS to a drive. And my NAS and desktop are on 24/7 as well, but it loses the connection sometimes. Anything I can do about this?

 

[crazygambit]

SMB shares?

I just map a folder on my NAS to a drive. And my NAS and desktop are on 24/7 as well, but it loses the connection sometimes. Anything I can do about this?

On Plex, when you add stuff to your library add your NAS as an SMB share (scroll through the options). For example I have a folder called Movies on my NAS, I just add it as an SMB share and set it to scan as movies. The same for TV Shows and Anime (so that would be 3 SMB shares, instead of just 1 for the whole NAS). It's better than assigning a drive letter, you should have no lost connection issues with that.

Though you will probably need to rescan your whole library. Not sure what would happen to your watched/unwatched status. I know in Kodi you can save that to a file, I'm not sure how it works on Plex.

 

[Pachimari]

On Plex, when you add stuff to your library add your NAS as an SMB share (scroll through the options). For example I have a folder called Movies on my NAS, I just add it as an SMB share and set it to scan as movies. The same for TV Shows and Anime (so that would be 3 SMB shares, instead of just 1 for the whole NAS). It's better than assigning a drive letter, you should have no lost connection issues with that.

Though you will probably need to rescan your whole library. Not sure what would happen to your watched/unwatched status. I know in Kodi you can save that to a file, I'm not sure how it works on Plex.

Is this in the Media Server or Home Theater? I'm not sure I understand how to add a SMB share. I'm in the Media Server right now and it have just finished scanning my whole library, but I added Movies and TV Shows as folders (I don't think there were any other option). =/

 

[crazygambit]

Is this in the Media Server or Home Theater? I'm not sure I understand how to add a SMB share. I'm in the Media Server right now and it have just finished scanning my whole library, but I added Movies and TV Shows as folders (I don't think there were any other option). =/

On the media server on your desktop. Add a new source, it should give you a bunch of options and one of them should be SMB shares. I haven't used Plex in a while, but it should be there. If your desktop is running Windows it's by far the best option.

If the server is on your NAS that might be different though, since the shares would be local.

 

[Pachimari]

I'm using the media server on Windows but it will only let me add a drive or folder.

 

[crazygambit]

I'm using the media server on Windows but it will only let me add a drive or folder.

I think you're right. I was sure I used SMBs on Plex, maybe it was on Plex 9. I'm sure Kodi (formerly known as XBMC) supports it since it's what I currently use. I'm also certain the disconnection issues you experience would be solved by using SMBs.

Here is a potential workaround:

https://forums.plex.tv/index.php/topic/108801-why-no-direct-samba-share-access/

 

[Pachimari]

Thanks for the link! I will try this:

you can use UNC paths instead of mapped drives in your library definition, you just need to type it in, you cannot point and click

eg \\mediaserver\M\TVShows\

But I don't know what my drive is named, ugh. The server name is "DiskStation" maybe that's what I'll use?

[edit]
"DiskStation" didn't work.

 

[runningjoke]

I used to have connection problems to my nas, when it happened I could still access it by IP. So what I did was add the name of the nas and the IP to the hosts file in Windows and this fixed the problem.

 

[Pachimari]

To the hosts' file? Phew, I'm sorry but I really need a step-by-step guide.

My desktop just lost connection to the mapped drive on my NAS again. And I'm trying to add as UNC path like above but none of my paths work.

 

[TarpitCarnivore]

To the hosts' file? Phew, I'm sorry but I really need a step-by-step guide.

My desktop just lost connection to the mapped drive on my NAS again.

Are you using OSX or Windows?
How did you map the drive? Did you just browse for the name of the NAS?

 

[runningjoke]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_(file)

in my case I added

192.168.1.150 CH3SNAS
192.168.1.150 nas

so I could access it by navigating to \\nas\ or \\CH3SNAS\

 

[Pachimari]

Are you using OSX or Windows?
How did you map the drive? Did you just browse for the name of the NAS?

I'm on Windows 7.

I'm using the Synology Assistant, and then I map the drive through that.

My file system looks like this:

"DiskStation\Plex\Movies"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_(file)

in my case I added

192.168.1.150 CH3SNAS
192.168.1.150 nas

so I could access it by navigating to \\nas\ or \\CH3SNAS\

I just don't know how to find the IP address of my NAS.

 

[whatsinaname]

Ooh, hadn't noticed this thread before.

Is anyone here using their NAS just as onsite backup (Windows machines)? Do you just use Windows backup or something like rsync?

 

[crazygambit]

I'm on Windows 7.

I'm using the Synology Assistant, and then I map the drive through that.

My file system looks like this:

"DiskStation\Plex\Movies"



I just don't know how to find the IP address of my NAS.

At this point I think it might be better for you to try out Kodi. See if you like it (I use the Aeon Nox skin, the default one is a bit meh). It's pretty similar to Plex and does some things better, others worse. If you don't then try the workarounds, 'cause it sounds like you would have a hard time getting them to work.

 

[runningjoke]

I just don't know how to find the IP address of my NAS.

You could try to type 'nslookup nasname' in command prompt

 

[TarpitCarnivore]

I'm on Windows 7.

I'm using the Synology Assistant, and then I map the drive through that.

My file system looks like this:

"DiskStation\Plex\Movies"



I just don't know how to find the IP address of my NAS.

Edit: Removing what I wrote below because it's going to confuse you further.

I just realized you're running Plex off the Diskstation. The DSj411 has a really weak CPU and it could be taking a long time to process the metadata. I would recommend moving Plex Media Server off the Diskstation and onto your PC. Once you do that map the drives like we've been describing.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Edit: Before you go through this I just realized you're running Plex off the Diskstation. The DSj411 has a really weak CPU and it could be taking a long time to process the metadata. I would recommend moving Plex Media Server off the Diskstation and onto your PC. Once you do that map the drives like we've been describing.


Ok so what is likely happening is the computer's name is being lost in the network. When a machine joins the network and gets a DHCP address from the server/router the name of the new device is stored. Sometimes though the network can hiccup and the name is dropped. (I'm being super generic here).

The best thing to do would be set a static IP address for the Synology server through Diskstation. First thing to do would be get proper IP information and then find an open IP. Open up a command prompt (Start>run>cmd) and type in ipconfig

You'll see your computers IP address, subnet and DNS information. It should read something like: IP: 192.0.X.X Subnet: 255.255.X.X DNS: 192.0.X.X (X is a variable based on the router you're using. Some use 0.0 and some use 1.1) Gateway should be in there too

Pick an address far out from the last digit IP. So if your IP is 192.168.1.12 pick 192.168.1.100

Verify it's open by typing 'ping 192.168.1.100' in the command prompt (minus the ' )

If it says no host/response you're good. If it responds then pick another one (101 or 99) until one is open.

Leave that window open.

Log into DSM (FYI I'm using the live demo from Synology as I don't have a Synology product)

Go to Control Panel > Network > Network Interface

Click the one that is Blue (active) and hit Edit

You'll see the boxes for manually setting an IP address. Enter in the information based on the previous info gathered. IP == the one you picked (192.168.1.100 for example). Subnet mask, DNS and Gateway should all be in the command prompt from when you did ipconfig. If you don't see it type 'ipconfig /all' (minus the ' )

Save it when you're done.

If done properly you should have a static IP address for your Diskstation. This means no matter how many times you restart it or whatever it will always be that IP address.

So now when you do a UNC path in a mapped drive instead of doing //diskstation you can //192.168.1.100

If you'd like to still use Disktation for a name with mapping you'll have to edit your Hosts file. This will tell the computer that whenever you type 'Diskstation' into any explorer window it will route to 192.168.1.100.

See this for a quick tutorial on how to do that: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1821155/edit-hosts-file-windows.html

If you edit the host file just map the drive with that new name.

As an owner of a synology, a lot of that s already taken care of by the server at setup. It even has an alias so you can navigate to it by name instead of ip. I'm on my phone t the moment so I can't access how to make it easier to find for him. He probably can just see it under Network in Windows though.

 

[Pachimari]

At this point I think it might be better for you to try out Kodi. See if you like it (I use the Aeon Nox skin, the default one is a bit meh). It's pretty similar to Plex and does some things better, others worse. If you don't then try the workarounds, 'cause it sounds like you would have a hard time getting them to work.

Nah, I think it can work with what I got.

You could try to type 'nslookup nasname' in command prompt

Did this and got the address. So I'll just use that when I add a folder in Plex Media Server?

Edit: Removing what I wrote below because it's going to confuse you further.

I just realized you're running Plex off the Diskstation. The DSj411 has a really weak CPU and it could be taking a long time to process the metadata. I would recommend moving Plex Media Server off the Diskstation and onto your PC. Once you do that map the drives like we've been describing.

No. I'm running Plex off my computer since last night.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_(file)

in my case I added

192.168.1.150 CH3SNAS
192.168.1.150 nas

so I could access it by navigating to \\nas\ or \\CH3SNAS\

Tried this just now but it didn't work. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

 

[TarpitCarnivore]

As an owner of a synology, a lot of that s already taken care of by the server at setup. It even has an alias so you can navigate to it by name instead of ip. I'm on my phone t the moment so I can't access how to make it easier to find for him. He probably can just see it under Network in Windows though.

I assumed as much, I was just flying blind since I don't have one (yet). Hoping to move to a DS415+ from an unRaid box in the next few months.

 

[Pachimari]

I'm currently here, and need Plex Media Server on my Windows 7 to keep recognizing my movies on my DS411j NAS.

And this is me mapping a drive but it always looses connection (ex: restarting computer), even when I have it to "Reconnect at logon".

The problem is that if I restart my computer (turns it off every night), then my computer will lose connection to the mapped drives.

 

[TarpitCarnivore]

I'm currently here, and need Plex Media Server on my Windows 7 to keep recognizing my movies on my DS411j NAS.



And this is me mapping a drive but it always looses connection (ex: restarting computer), even when I have it to "Reconnect at logon".

It's likely because in the time it takes for the machine to log in, establish network and have PMS turn initiate it's connection to the drive it (your computer) hasn't established the name for the Diskstation.

I would map the network drive with the IP address of the diskstation. So you would do \\192.168.1.100\Plex\ instead of \\Diskstation\Plex. You can get the IP address from DSM under Control Panel > Network > Network Interface

 

[Pachimari]

It's likely because in the time it takes for the machine to log in, establish network and have PMS turn initiate it's connection to the drive it (your computer) hasn't established the name for the Diskstation.

I would map the network drive with the IP address of the diskstation. So you would do \\192.168.1.100\Plex\ instead of \\Diskstation\Plex. You can get the IP address from DSM under Control Panel > Network > Network Interface

Yeah that's the issue.

I'm already doing what you are suggesting. It lets me choose a drive but it also shows the IP as shared folder here:

[edit]

Yup, just tried restarting my computer, and all the drives disconnected:

[edit 2]
And every time I restart the computer, it says "could not reconnect all network drives". So I have to enter my username and password to connect every time.

And I don't know what to do now?

 

[TarpitCarnivore]

Spend the money on Deskstars or roll the dice on WD Reds?

 

[derder]

What's the best way to rate speeds for my NAS?

I wanna know network and storage speed.

 

[TarpitCarnivore]

What's the best way to rate speeds for my NAS?

I wanna know network and storage speed.

Windows: LanSpeedTest
OSX: BlackMagic (in app store)

 

[Ambitious]

Apparently, my Synology DS413 has some kind of hardware issue.

A few weeks ago, one morning I noticed it was off. I turned it on again and the log said there was an "Improper Shutdown". That's the same notification which appears after a power outage, but there had been no outage.

Some time later, it crashed again. Like before, there had been not outage or anything else out of the ordinary. Another crash exactly one week later (to the minute) led me to assume it was a software issue, like some kind of weekly maintenance process causing the crash under certain circumstances. However, the next few crashes happened at different times.

So I finally did what I should have done in the first place and contacted Synology's support. They noticed many "call traces" in the log files and asked me to do a SMART test for the disks and a memory test for the DiskStation. The SMART test results were fine. The memory test on the other hand.. well, as it took a while, I went to do other things while it was running. When I returned to my computer to check the status, it said "Starting Services". Apparently, the test was completed and the DiskStation was rebooting. After a few minutes of nothing happening, I left the room again.

When I returned later and realized the status was still the same, I noticed the DiskStation was actually off. Turned it on again. Improper Shutdown. The crash presumably happened after successful completion of the memory test, judging by the status (Starting Services instead of a progress indicator).
I started the memory test again, and this time everything seemed to be fine. It completed successfully, and this time the status switched from "Starting Services" to "Done" within a minute. Cool. Half an hour later, I noticed it was off again.

Well, I provided the support with my results and included the system log again, as they requested. Now they're convinced it's a hardware problem. Goddamn it. They told me to contact the vendor I bought it from for a replacement. In case of any issues with the vendor, I'm supposed to write them again so they can take care of it.

I bought it from Amazon in July 2013. Going to contact Amazon CS now.


edit: Amazon CS would send me a free replacement, but the DS413 is not available anymore. So instead, I will receive a full refund after sending it back. That's cool. Time to find another NAS. Sigh.

edit 2: From what I have been able to figure out so far, my best choice would be the direct successor, the DS414. Seems to be pretty well-received. Does anyone here have any experience with that one? It hasn't been mentioned so far (I've searched).

 

[Marty Chinn]

They told me to contact the vendor I bought it from for a replacement. In case of any issues with the vendor, I'm supposed to write them again so they can take care of it.

I bought it from Amazon in July 2013. Going to contact Amazon CS now.


edit: Amazon CS would send me a free replacement, but the DS413 is not available anymore. So instead, I will receive a full refund after sending it back. That's cool. Time to find another NAS. Sigh.

I'm a bit confused by this. If it's well past the return policy why would you contact the vendor? Even more surprising is why would Amazon offer you a free replacement after a year and a half of owning it or even give you a refund?

 

[Ambitious]

I'm a bit confused by this. If it's well past the return policy why would you contact the vendor? Even more surprising is why would Amazon offer you a free replacement after a year and a half of owning it or even give you a refund?

Well, in Austria, Germany, and presumably other European countries as well, there's basically two kinds of warranty: Garantie, which is offered voluntarily by manufacturers, and Gewährleistung, which vendors are required by law to offer. As far as I know, that's different from the US, isn't it?
For my DiskStation, both warranties happen to last two years from the date of purchase.

Gewährleistung works like this: If any kind of flaw or fault surfaces within six months of purchase, it is assumed the fault was present at the date of purchase. In that case, the vendor is required to either fix the product, exchange it, grant a discount or a full refund. After six months, however, the buyer has to provide evidence that the product had been faulty in the first place.

As I'm way past six months now, I would actually have to prove to Amazon that my NAS had this issue right from the start, which I obviously can't. Nonetheless, they offered a full refund without even asking for any evidence. Is this really that exceptional? For Amazon, I mean. I've heard many, many remarkable stories about Amazon's CS. I surely am surprised but happy about this outcome.

As for why I contacted Amazon in the first place: Well, simply because Synology's CS told me to. Had Amazon refused to do anything about it, I would have talked to Synology again. But as I wrote in my previous post, the Synology guy said I should tell them where I bought it so they could "take care" of it in case there are any issues like that. I don't know, but I can only assume he meant they would provide evidence to Amazon. After all, they got my system log and know what exactly is wrong with my DiskStation.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Well, in Austria, Germany, and presumably other European countries as well, there's basically two kinds of warranty: Garantie, which is offered voluntarily by manufacturers, and Gewährleistung, which vendors are required by law to offer. As far as I know, that's different from the US, isn't it?
For my DiskStation, both warranties happen to last two years from the date of purchase.

Gewährleistung works like this: If any kind of flaw or fault surfaces within six months of purchase, it is assumed the fault was present at the date of purchase. In that case, the vendor is required to either fix the product, exchange it, grant a discount or a full refund. After six months, however, the buyer has to provide evidence that the product had been faulty in the first place.

As I'm way past six months now, I would actually have to prove to Amazon that my NAS had this issue right from the start, which I obviously can't. Nonetheless, they offered a full refund without even asking for any evidence. Is this really that exceptional? For Amazon, I mean. I've heard many, many remarkable stories about Amazon's CS. I surely am surprised but happy about this outcome.

As for why I contacted Amazon in the first place: Well, simply because Synology's CS told me to. Had Amazon refused to do anything about it, I would have talked to Synology again. But as I wrote in my previous post, the Synology guy said I should tell them where I bought it so they could "take care" of it in case there are any issues like that. I don't know, but I can only assume he meant they would provide evidence to Amazon. After all, they got my system log and know what exactly is wrong with my DiskStation.

Ah gotcha. In the US, each store has their own return policy window and usually you go through them if it falls within that window simply since it's just easier to deal with. The normal return policy window is 30 days but some places are more, and some are less. 7 days or 15 days isn't uncommon. After that you have to go directly to the manufacturer who typically has a one year warranty. Once that's out then you have to pay for repairs.

 

[diehard]

Just finished my 3rd NAS/SAN.
Here are the Internals...

It's a Supermicro 36 bay chassis with redundant 1280w platinum PSU's and Dual-Channel SAS Expanders connected to two LSI 9207 HBA's.

2X Xeon E5-2609 v2's with 128GB ECC. 10GbE Intel X540 for networking.

Drives will be 4TB ES.3 SAS with WD 6TB Red's, various ZFS vdev/zpool configurations.

Let me know if anyone is interested in any more info.

 

[TarpitCarnivore]

I should really move to ZFS and/or BTRFS, but I just don't have the patience for that kind of stuff anymore. Certain things I much prefer the set it and forget approach.

How much did 128GB of ECC run you?

 

[diehard]

About $1300 , used 16GB DIMM's so we could expand to 256GB easily in the future.

 

[TarpitCarnivore]

About $1300 , used 16GB DIMM's so we could expand to 256GB easily in the future.

FFS!

I think that what was ultimately had me turn away from ZFS. When I began to think about RAM requirements for my total size and snapshots the cost was going to jump a bit. I'd love to at least doing RAID 6 or 10, but anything critical is being backed up off site.

 

[diehard]

Ram Requirements for ZFS can be steep, but can vary a TON based on usage.

But just to compare, Compellent (Dell) for the same amount of storage wants about 8-10 times as much money.

 

[Ambitious]

I guess it's easy to miss in my previous post, so I'm re-posting it:

Does anyone here use a Synology DS414? As I'm going to have to return my dying DS413, I'm thinking about getting that one as a replacement.

 

[diehard]

I guess it's easy to miss in my previous post, so I'm re-posting it:

Does anyone here use a Synology DS414? As I'm going to have to return my dying DS413, I'm thinking about getting that one as a replacement.

You had a DS413 right? You probably already know just as much as anyone else.

The DS414 will run the exact same OS as your previous, just with an added NIC and a faster processor.

Do you like the Diskstation OS? Do you need anything faster for transcoding?

 

[Tablo]

I've had the DS414 for a while, it's great if you don't need transcoding.

 

[Ambitious]

You had a DS413 right? You probably already know just as much as anyone else.

The DS414 will run the exact same OS as your previous, just with an added NIC and a faster processor.

Do you like the Diskstation OS? Do you need anything faster for transcoding?

I've had the DS414 for a while, it's great if you don't need transcoding.

I've got the DS413, yes. The DS414 is basically the same, but I'm asking just in case I missed anything.
The OS is fine. But the only time I actually see it anyway is once every few weeks when I update it. I use the DS as a simple, "dumb" storage with no special services or features. That's why I also don't need transcoding. I've decided from the get-go to separate storage and playback, which is why I've got an HTPC with both Plex and XBMC.

Well, I guess that settles it. I've read a few more reviews in the meantime. It's a better, cheaper DS413 - there's really not much more to say about it.

 

[Pachimari]

I never figured out how to have a constant connection to my Synology DS411j.

I have to log in (or in worse case, find the hard drive with Synology Assistant) every time I restart my computer.

 

[iNvid02]

Login to your router and reserve an address for it, so it always be at 192.168.1.4 for example.

in windows map the network drive and make sure the login info is stored under windows credentials (type it in the start menu) and it should stick

 

[Pachimari]

Okay, now I feel like a pain in the ass, but how do I log into my router?

 

[iNvid02]

Okay, now I feel like a pain in the ass, but how do I log into my router?

if you type in ipconfig /all in a cmd prompt it should list gateway which is your router, it's probably at 192.168.1.1. Enter that in a browser address bar to login (username and password is usually located on the router underside)

The thing you want is called dhcp reservation, you choose the synology from a list or enter its Mac address and pick what address you want it to always have e.g 192.168.1.5

 

[Pachimari]

I'm in.

Should I "add wireless device with wps" in order to reserve an address?

 

[Marty Chinn]

Login to your router and reserve an address for it, so it always be at 192.168.1.4 for example.

in windows map the network drive and make sure the login info is stored under windows credentials (type it in the start menu) and it should stick

It's probably easier for him to configure it on the Synology.

Once you login do the following:

1) Click on Control Panel

2) Click on Network

3) Click on Network Interface

4) Click on LAN 1

5) Click on Edit

6) Set Manual Configuration with the IP you want to use.

 

[iNvid02]

actually you're probably better off doing what marty said, i didnt know you could do that from the synology.

after thats done and the login info is stored under windows credentials the nas shouldnt go anywhere

 

[Pachimari]

It's probably easier for him to configure it on the Synology.

Once you login do the following:

1) Click on Control Panel

2) Click on Network

3) Click on Network Interface

4) Click on LAN 1

5) Click on Edit

6) Set Manual Configuration with the IP you want to use.

actually you're probably better off doing what marty said, i didnt know you could do that from the synology.

after thats done and the login info is stored under windows credentials the nas shouldnt go anywhere

This worked.

But now I can not map multiple drives?
Now I don't have access to my photos and music folders.

 

[Rktk]

NAS thread, I'm so glad I found you. I am doing internal alterations to a flat I'll be living in so I have the chance to sort out a wired network. I'm moving the main phoneline into a cupboard into which I want a NAS and from there I'd like to stream movies to the TV as well as access the storage from both bedrooms. ADSL only available.

So networking to the cupboard, bed 1, bed 2, living room.

Do I have this right?:

Phoneline/ADSL > Modem (wireless router) > switch > NAS & Ethernet ports (3no.)

Also since Cat6 will bump price vs Cat5e, is there really a need to go Cat6 vs 5e?

 

[TarpitCarnivore]

NAS thread, I'm so glad I found you. I am doing internal alterations to a flat I'll be living in so I have the chance to sort out a wired network. I'm moving the main phoneline into a cupboard into which I want a NAS and from there I'd like to stream movies to the TV as well as access the storage from both bedrooms. ADSL only available.

So networking to the cupboard, bed 1, bed 2, living room.

Do I have this right?:

Phoneline/ADSL > Modem (wireless router) > switch > NAS & Ethernet ports (3no.)

Also since Cat6 will bump price vs Cat5e, is there really a need to go Cat6 vs 5e?

Does your router have a switch in it? If it has ports, most do, you can just plug the NAS directly into that.

The only reason to go with Cat6 would be future proofing. I can't think of any pressing reason to go with it other than that

 

[Marty Chinn]

This worked.

But now I can not map multiple drives?
Now I don't have access to my photos and music folders.

Can't you just map \\synologyserver\music and \\synologyserver\photos as network drives?