Set up a media server and backup

whoah....complicated O.o

It's not complicated, and it'll all work.

Consider getting the Server app, it'll make access easier, even though for your puposes you'll require only very few of the services included.

Time Machine has no issues at all with several Macs backing up to the same NAS. The software RAID OS X is offering you works, too, though I myself prefer defining 2 independent drives to be set up in Time Machine, so they can be of different size without one "shrinking" to the size of the other, smaller one (if that matters to you).

Depending on what client media players you intend to use, you will find it more or less difficult to tell them where to find the media libraries (on the server, I assume), and to enable access from multiple clients simultaneously. E.g. iTunes and iPhoto do not allow simultaneous access to the same libraries simultaneously, AFAIK.

Other than that, OS X, your Apple ID, Back To My Mac and Remote Management allows you also remote access via Internet incl Screen Sharing of the server, not to mention remote server management by installing the server app also on a client Mac.

tonydutt wrote:

1. Should I buy a Mac Mini to act as the media server for the house? I suspect I could have 4-5 locations at once demanding media via Apple TV or xBox 360 (via connect 360). I would like to not buy more than 1 Mac mini. I have considered stuff by Request Media and they are really expensive compared to the cost of one or even two mac minis.

As previously stated, iTunes libraries cannot be accessed

simultaneously by to different computers. This would pretty

much rule out having an Apple TV and other Mac(s) using

the same iTunes library at the same time. Unfortunately,

Apple TV needs iTunes for any local network streaming.

However, ther are other ATV type devices out there that can

access files directly on any network storage.

There are also other media apps (PLEX, XBMC,etc.) that

can simply be set up to link to network storage systems.

Personally, I am using XBMC on my Macs and all are

linked to media files that are located on HDD attached to

my Airport Extreme Base Station.

2. I want to have all of the media stored on a RAID 1 network attached drive (or Firewire, Thunderbolt, USB 3.0 whatever). I also want to be able to backup the computers in the house to this storage too. Possible? Lacie seems to have a good product, but, pricey.

There are various options here. Something to consider, is

LaCie's Thunderbolt to SATA adapter:

http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?id=10574.

You could then get one of OWC's RAID enclosures w/ SATA

interface and roll your own storage. Advantages of this approach

1. The RAIDs will be hardware RAID.

2. You could have two independed RAID systems attached

for various reasons or puposes.

3. Higher speed disk interface vs. USB3.

4. You can also install highest speed HDD's available if

desired.

5. If a a single disk drive goes belly-up, replacement is fast

and easy.

6. Also, upgrading to larger drives is a matter of just swapping

the HDD itself.

3. I suppose I could put a large hard drive in the Mac Mini and store all the media there and use the RAID 1 system to back up all computers somehow. It seems Time Machine freaks out when more than one computer backs up to the same drive. Is there a better way than Time Machine?

With this sort of system, I would avoid putting data inside

and libraries inside the Mini. Should the HDD fail, your whole system

and data will be down. I would suggest get a Mini with a single

SSD drive with OSX and install Server on it. Being solid state,

it will in the long run be more reliable than a mechanical HDD.

Then put all data and libraries on external storage. If any of

the data/library drives fail, repair/replacement will be quick

and simple.

For your purpose, you don't need to by the "Server" model.

Just get either the base or next one up and just install the

server app on it.

tonydutt wrote:

.........

2. Does XBMC and Plex support multiple streams from the same library, not necessarily the same file. That is a bummer that iTunes does not. Especially since i just boight a ATV v3 to test it all out. I have seen some talk about a xbox 360 Plex app, but, can't find it anywhere.

With XBMC, there is no real "server". You simply set up

XBMC on each machine to use directories located anywhere.

The "library" database is built locally on the achine based on

the selected directories. So, you could arrange your media

in a variety of directories on your network storage and just

choose which ones each computer adds to it's "library".

By the way, if it is not obvious, XBMC was an acronym

for X-Box Media Center which has been expanded to

include Macs and PCs and other devices.

PLEX on the other hand, does use some sort of media server

and can be somewhat difficult to setup with multiple devices.

The one advantageof the PLEX approach, is that the server

can serve up media to via WiFi or internet to iPhones, iPads,

or iPod Touch via the PLEX app for those devices.

I had originally used PLEX as the media client for my

home theater system but with updates to both OSX and

PLEX was running into video issues. Whent with XBMC

and have stuck with it for over a year now and has been

great.

As for what server software can do to for you, I will defer

that to the more server savvy folks.

Everything OS X Server from those who ought to know best.

To be honest, I almost only use the file sharing and users/groups features. Then client access can be configured easily, flexibly, and fairly quick.