Options for a multipurpose media/gaming ecosystem - NAS, Server, HTPC, Plex, Android TV...etc

[Alphanumeric Username]

Hello everyone,

Apologies ahead of time for the long and complex question but here goes.

I have a few "functions" that I would like to add for a general media and gaming ecosystem in my home and I'm having trouble determining the best way to go about setting it up. This may not be fully appropriate in the "Storage" category as it touches on quite a few others, but that is primary factor that I am torn on so hopefully you can help.

Essentially what I am trying to accomplish is to have a general large capacity storage unit, accessible via my home network, that I could utilize for an automated backup of the PCs and MacBooks in the house, as well be the primary storage for a large amount of media for streaming via a Plex media server. In addition to this, access outside of my home network (I believe this is referred to as personal cloud) would be a plus, but I understand this brings added complications and security concerns. I'm primarily debating between either a NAS based solution, or attached storage to a dedicated server.

In conjunction with this, I am also looking for a solution that would function as an HTPC/Media Center, allowing me to play content from my Plex server, as well as services such as Netflix. Im also hoping to utilize this as a Steam Link type device, allowing me to stream games from my Desktop to my living room. The solutions I'm seeing for this would be something like the Nvidia Shield utilizing Nvidia's Gamestream, or a full HTPC running Steam. I believe both of these could also be set up as the Plex server itself if desire (although the performance of the Nvidia Shield is a question).

What I'm considering here is if its possible, or even wise, to put all of these into a single system. In my mind this would look essentially like a full HTPC build, that also happens to be a home server, running Plex media server. I like that this would also allow me to expand with other home server functions if I desire in the future, as well as allow for performance upgrades. My main consideration here is if the storage should be attached to the server itself, which would allow for local playback without taxing my network, or a NAS system which would allow for access to my media without the server.

Is anyone running a setup such as this and would it operate as I am anticipating?



TL;DR Building a media and game streaming ecosystem for home. Considering the pros and cons to using a single computer as an HTPC and home server, vs keeping them separate. Needs to run Plex Media Server, Stream Gamestream / Nvidia Gamestream, large amount of managed storage. Also considering if storage should be attached or NAS, with performance and network taxation in mind.

 

[Rogue Leader]

The way I see it you have 2 solutions and it all comes down to how much money you want to spend, and time you want to spend doing it.

The first is of course to build yourself a true home server. I have one in my home and you can see the build link in my signature. This offers the most flexibility. Mine for example all our computers back up to it, even my phone backs up to it. It hosts our music and movies and stuff. I can connect to it remotely with Remote desktop, etc. The issue of course is the more you have running on it the more it taxes it. So you want to use a good processor etc, which ups the cost. In my case I run a Xeon E3 1231v3 which lets me get away with quite a bit but you may even want more.

The second idea, which is way more cost effective and less maintenance intensive is to get yourself an WD MyCloud type device. You can set your PCs to backup to it, access it remotely, host your data, heck you can have more than one, like 1 for backups, 1 for file hosting, etc. Then get a steam link or nvidia shield. For what you want to do IMO this is way cheaper and will probably do the job just as well.