First Home Media Network HELP running DLNA & VPN, NAS

[tekayu]

Hi folks, this is going to take long so please stick with me...

Before I begin, can you first please take a look at the attached image to help clarify what I'm trying to say.

I'm (attempting to) set up my very first home media server and to be quite honest, I'm at that stage where if i read any more into it, my head is going to explode.

I'll begin with the equipment I have (or have in mind to buy), then I'll begin with the questions.

Currently have:

- Router (which came free with ISP)
- Macbook Pro (mid 2012, running Mountain Lion)
- PS3 (rarely ever used)
- Panasonic plasma 50" TV - UT50 series (sadly with only 2 x HDMI inputs)

Definitely will be buying:

- DD-WRT enabled (preloaded) 2nd router
- Apple TV
- a VPN account

Quick Intro:

I'm a Brit living in Thailand and i'm trying to set up a VPN so I can watch online British TV services (4-OD, BBC iPlayer etc). At the same time, I also watch a lot of downloaded material, so I think a DLNA server in the house would be quite handy.

Options:

I've explored a couple of options and I think the one as per attached image may be the best (please go ahead and tell me if you think otherwise). Other options would be to include the PS3 into the network (in between Router 2 and TV would be the PS3). The "With PS3" option may make the Apple TV redundant (could be good as i'll spend less, but bad in other ways - I'll explain later).

Another option is to buy a home theatre system (very likely in the future) where it'll act as a hub.

But for the sake of this post - let's go ahead with the option as per my attachment.

Additional info

- To download torrents, I'll temporarily save any downloads onto my mac (whilst it's under the ISP (NON-VPN) connection). Then transfer the file from my Mac to the HD through DLNA (I'm assuming this can be done wireless if the HD is attached to the router?). I'm not allowed any torrent activity under the VPN.

- I play AVI, MKV, and mostly large files as I like to download 720p & 1080p quality.

QUESTIONS!!!!

1 - Connection between Router 1 and Router 2 is done through WAN or LAN?

2.a - Can you recommend a DLNA server that's suitable for this layout? (Plex, Serviio, Other?)

2.b - Can you go through in an extremely brief fashion how it works (so I know some key words to throw at google and do my own research)

3 - Can you recommend a router that's suitable for this layout? (Willing to pay up to USD200) It needs to have gigabit ethernet, and have dual bandwidth (for streaming High Definition content on applt tv).

4 - does the apple tv stream 1080 material?

5 - do i really need the apple tv? (I can see the PC fanboys sharpening their spears right now). My main reason for buying it is to mirror / extend (wirelessly) my macbook to my tv.

6 - Once the DLNA server is connected, and I have a HD connected to Router-2, can i wirelessly transfer data from my mac to the HD?

7 - With regards to the overall plan, is it good? Can you give me any other alternatives?

that's it folks! Questions 2 and 3 are the most important bits I want to know.

Thank you so much for taking your time to read this, I really appreciate it.

Many thanks,
Tek.



screenshot studio

 

[dbhosttexas]

Your comments / questions are in BOLD and ITALICS. Hopefully my answers here give you the answers you need.

1 - Connection between Router 1 and Router 2 is done through WAN or LAN?

WAN port on router #2 to LAN port on router #1. If possible, and assuming you do not need a second wireless network fighting with the first, turn off the WiFi on the first router...

2.a - Can you recommend a DLNA server that's suitable for this layout? (Plex, Serviio, Other?)

Assuming AppleTV allows you access to DNLA standard services, then get your hands on a Buffalo DD-WRT loaded router, particularly the WZR-600DHP or whatever the variant for the Asian markets is called. It will be similar, I think there is an H tacked on the end or something... It will have MinDNLA already loaded. Put the latest community build of DD-WRT on it (Google DD-WRT 3TB for my thread on the subject in the dd-wrt forum, they have recently issued a patch that Buffalo isn't pushing yet). You can hang a large multi terabyte disk off of it and share it to your network just fine...

2.b - Can you go through in an extremely brief fashion how it works (so I know some key words to throw at google and do my own research)

Look it up on the DD-WRT wiki. They have pretty good articles about their firmware...

3 - Can you recommend a router that's suitable for this layout? (Willing to pay up to USD200) It needs to have gigabit ethernet, and have dual bandwidth (for streaming High Definition content on applt tv).


Already did. Googled it, and it looks like the regular WZR-600DHP may ship to Thailand no problem...

4 - does the apple tv stream 1080 material?

Sorry, can't help you there. I do believe it is advertised to do so. I haven't given AppleTV too much of a look though... Mostly interested in GoogleTV to be able to stream Amazon Prime video streaming.

5 - do i really need the apple tv? (I can see the PC fanboys sharpening their spears right now). My main reason for buying it is to mirror / extend (wirelessly) my macbook to my tv.

Only you can really answer that. Aside from the Amazon prime issue, the specs I saw on the AppleTV product are pretty nice. Oh and no PC (meaning WinTel) fanboy here... I am more interested in the best tool for the job...

6 - Once the DLNA server is connected, and I have a HD connected to Router-2, can i wirelessly transfer data from my mac to the HD?

Format the drive in ext3 or ext4 which I believe you can do from within your Mac, and then attach to the router. Enable it, and then enable the DNLA and SAMBA servers on the router. Your Mac should be able to access it either Via DNLA or SAMBA.

7 - With regards to the overall plan, is it good? Can you give me any other alternatives?

Sounds pretty solid to me. Aside from your use of Apple hardware / software which is personal preference stuff, the only major change I would make I recommended above, which is to turn off WiFi on router 1, simply use it as a pass through. I assume router 1 is also your modem. If not, why not just get rid of it all together?

that's it folks! Questions 2 and 3 are the most important bits I want to know.

Thank you so much for taking your time to read this, I really appreciate it.

Many thanks,
Tek.

Just FWIW, you are doing more or less along the same lines what I am doing. I have no need to display the output of a Mac to my TV, but I wouldn't be heartbroken either as I have visitors that could use that function.

I don't fully understand your using the ISP provided router 1, so I am going with the assumption like I said above, that it is also a router. Check with your ISP to see if you can go with a modem only and use your own router. Combo router / modem units are popular, but become obsolete very rapidly and you are stuck...

Just for reference my config thus far is...

Zoom 5341J DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem (105/20 service).
Buffalo WZR-600DHP N600 DD-WRT router in N only mode. No support for A, B, or G standards. Ticks off my brother in law, but I have given him two different N dongles for his laptop. I am NOT letting his old stuff slow my network down!
Seagate 3TB USB 3.0 / 2.0 external drive hung off the router, formatted ext4, shared via both SAMBA, and DNLA.
PS3 x2 currently used as gaming consoles, and streaming media players. (Be VERY careful if you are converting files to work with PS3, it is a pain!).
Myriad PCs, Tablets, laptops, and mobile phones. Windows, Android, and iOS based. (No Windows phones, sorry...).

Sadly I have 2 TVs, and they both are older CRTs (Both approx circa 2002). We are remodeling the house, and do not want nice new TVs in rooms where we are painting and kicking up drywall dust... The plan will be 1080P capable TVs in each bedroom, and one in the living room... Oh, if you are using Roku, THEN you need to get super picky about your media server. I think that only does Plex or something like that...

 

[zeducky]

Before purchasing a Qnap NAS, id advise to go have a look on Qnaps boards, their own community is furious over the firmware releases the last year, with good reason.

At this moment i can only recommend Synology NAS boxes.


Currently got 4 NAS boxes running at home, Qnaps, Synology, HP microserver N40L with Nas4free, and the Synology is the most stable