Dual Xenon Media Server

[j.brian.mcnatt]

Here's the rundown on the equipment I have at my disposal. As far as networking.

The PC is a Super X8DAL-I build with dual Xenons and being used as my own personal Netflix with a raid array storing over 2k movies, 1.5k TV shows, and a music video library to satisfy anyone's taste. Plex is the favored interface however it isn't the only access due to the various other devices used to access the library both on and outside the local network.

Incoming provider: Xfinity connecting to a Arris SB8200.

PC connections: 2 rear MOBO Gig ports, 2 rear PCIe8 Gig ports, and a PCI 3 port network switch.

Routers: 2 Linksys Gig 4 port wireless routers and a pile of 100Mg routers

What I would like to do is use the server as the primary access point for all internet traffic both thru Ethernet and Wifi.

I know how to allow it to be used permission wise. I'm not sure about the wiring though.

Can I run a single lan from the Arris to one of the Gig Routers (WiFi off) and then out to the 4 lan Gig ports on the PC bridged. Then use the switch to connect the other Gig router for Wifi Media, a 100Mg for cell phone traphic, and the last port to the Smart TV?

Nothing is really connected at the moment so I'm just curious what my best option is for insuring everything is balanced. I could really use another access from my provider but I don't wanna double my internet bill.

This is the Only media access, no dish or cable, and I access the server remotely for several hours a day pretty regularly.

 

[jsmithepa]

This is one ODD way to use a media server, networking is not its job. Best practice is to use media server to serve media and nothing else.

But OK you got enough cpu to spare, in order for it to route traffic, you will have to install a router OS on it, I don't know how hard or whether compatible with the current OS ur running or need to run on a VM.

All of these to me is a headache. There are already dedicated boxes which do this job and not expensive.

Good luck with the whole thing.

 

[failboat]

if you use a hypervisor like proxmox you can run pfsense in a vm.

 

[j.brian.mcnatt]

Thanks fail I'll look into that. JS, not sure what ODD is but all this PC does is serve Media. 99% if the time our internet is providing streaming. We don't have any gamers in the house and all our local devises already connect to the server to access the library.
I'm all ears if this is a dumb idea, I'd just like to understand why? Thanks for the responses either way.
-James

 

[kanewolf]

Thanks fail I'll look into that. JS, not sure what ODD is but all this PC does is serve Media. 99% if the time our internet is providing streaming. We don't have any gamers in the house and all our local devises already connect to the server to access the library.
I'm all ears if this is a dumb idea, I'd just like to understand why? Thanks for the responses either way.
-James

The reason it is "odd" is you want the firewall isolated from the rest of the network. If it is attacked and compromised that is just one layer. With a single physical host doing multiple jobs, potentially if the firewall is compromised, additional assets are compromised.