Simple Yes/No question - media server AND file server?

[BillW75]

I intend to buy the Raspberry Pi 2 to replace my old PC currently used as a Plex media server and file server.

I'm not at all new to computing; comfortable with command line programming; low level of frustration etc. Willing to spend whatever time it takes to read up on how to make it happen and then whatever time and effort it takes to make it all work.

And from what I've read I don't' think it will be a lot of time - but if it is I'll consider it a fun learning experience.

But before I even get started, I do have what I hope is a simple yes/no question. Can I use the Pi 2 as both a Plex media server AND a file server simultaneously? Or is it limited to one purpose at a time?

Again, not looking for details - but I am looking for something more definitive than "probably" or "I assume so" or "I don't see why not".

Preferable - "Yes, I'm doing exactly that and it's working great!"

Thanks much!

[gerdesj]

It can do both but it's not really the best tool for the job. The glaring problem is there are no hard discs. To add one will be via a USB port - not quick. The NIC is 100Mb which may limit you as well. The processor is ARM based, so if Plex is not already in the software repo (the Ubuntu binaries on their web site are for x86/amd64) then you'll need the source code and a lot of time with a compiler. Samba or NFS or whatever for file serving is available but again the Pi is not a good choice.

The Pi is an awesome and cheap computer if a decent processor, useful amount of RAM, USB, HDMI, LAN and excellent GPIO support is what you need. A reasonable file server and media backend need fast storage as well and lots of it - way beyond what a SD card will provide. By the time you've added all that, you might as well buy a NAS or put together a small form factor PC from bits off eBay/Amazon and use the Pi as a front end for a TV. That's what I did with one of my Pis - great value for that job.

So: no.

Cheers
Jon

[mikronauts]

http://www.htpcguides.com/install-plex- ... erry-pi-2/

http://www.mikronauts.com/raspberry-pi/ ... ent-howto/

Due to memory and I/O limits, trying to do both Plex server and client on the same RPi 2 is pushing things.

If you want multiple clients, you would be better off with a low power x86 board with SATA and more memory.

I intend to buy the Raspberry Pi 2 to replace my old PC currently used as a Plex media server and file server.

I'm not at all new to computing; comfortable with command line programming; low level of frustration etc. Willing to spend whatever time it takes to read up on how to make it happen and then whatever time and effort it takes to make it all work.

And from what I've read I don't' think it will be a lot of time - but if it is I'll consider it a fun learning experience.

But before I even get started, I do have what I hope is a simple yes/no question. Can I use the Pi 2 as both a Plex media server AND a file server simultaneously? Or is it limited to one purpose at a time?

Again, not looking for details - but I am looking for something more definitive than "probably" or "I assume so" or "I don't see why not".

Preferable - "Yes, I'm doing exactly that and it's working great!"

Thanks much!

[Navyscourge]

I think that it depends on what you are expecting, or are prepared to accept. You could always buy a Pi2 (just basic stuff, not a lot of money on peripherals) and see what it can do as a file server and as a Plex server (and you could try other media servers too). If it isn't good enough, you can still do lots of things with it

[BillW75]

Thanks for the responses so far. Let me clarify my situation and maybe that changes things.

First - I just wanted to know IF it could be done. That is, can the OS have two programs. Sounds like it can.

Second - for Plex I would not be doing any transcoding. I don't do that now. It's all direct play.

Third, for the file server, I'm not talking about a NAS. I just mean inside the house. To occasionally but not very often read/write word documents and spreadsheets. The external USB drives would be connected through a powered hub BTW (for the media as well).

And fourth - very rarely if ever would the it be doing both media playing and file reading /writing at the same time. I'ts jsut me and the wife at home and she rarely uses the file server.

So - rephrasing the question:
Can I load both Plex Media server and some sort of file management system on the RPi2? So that I can play movies through my Roku (direct play) and occasional read/write files on the connected drives through a Windows computer as the client (but rarely if ever at the same time)?

My desire to do this with RPi2 is three-fold:
My existing computer is making noise and will have to be repaired or replaced.
The RPi2 is cheaper to buy than a replacement PC and is also cheaper to run if always on.
I like to tinker and learn.

[mikronauts]

Best guess? (given your clarifications)

Yes.

I would be pleasantly surprised if you could handle more than 2-3 HD Plex clients though.

FYI, even though I have far more powerful gear here, I do have a small Pi2 based NAS, mostly for testing - so it is useful, just don't expect miracles.

[rpdom]

First - I just wanted to know IF it could be done. That is, can the OS have two programs. Sounds like it can.

Raspbian is a full multi-tasking, multi-user OS. It can run many programs at a time.

A file server is a simple task. A media server isn't too different. If anything I suspect any issues may be with throughput on the network interface.

[BillW75]

Thanks again. Looks like I'll be giving this a shot. The key thing is that there will not be any kind of heavy usage. Two people in our house - really only 1 client for the media piece at a time - primarily the Roku but occasionally a tablet but never two at once.

Same with the file server. I'd say never more than one person at a time, and even then relatively small files.

As long as the OS can handle two (or more) applications, I'm in business. Not even looking for true multitasking. Just watch ONE movie OR edit ONE document at any one time.

Once I get started I may be back for some help. Thanks again.

[rpdom]

Thanks again. Looks like I'll be giving this a shot. The key thing is that there will not be any kind of heavy usage. Two people in our house - really only 1 client for the media piece at a time - primarily the Roku but occasionally a tablet but never two at once.

Same with the file server. I'd say never more than one person at a time, and even then relatively small files.

As long as the OS can handle two (or more) applications, I'm in business. Not even looking for true multitasking. Just watch ONE movie OR edit ONE document at any one time.

Once I get started I may be back for some help. Thanks again.

A Pi2 should be ideal for that.

On one of mine I've got a number of small web sites, mostly for internal use only, but a couple that have light external use, a file server, print server, dns/dhcp/ntp server, several databases and assorted other functions running 24/7. It handles the load with no problems - better than the old laptop that used to run some of those tasks previously