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Showing content with the highest reputation on 02/02/18 in all areas

  1. They work fine for spinners. They are not RAID cards. RAID cards probably cost more. But since you are using unRAID, totally unnecessary. In fact you need to cross flash them to turn off the RAID!
    2 points
  2. Hey everyone, just thought I'd put this up here after reading a syslog by another forum member and realizing a repeating pattern I've seen here where folks decide to let Plex create temporary files for transcoding on an array or cache device instead of in RAM. Why should I move transcoding into RAM? What do I gain? In short, transcoding is both CPU and IO intensive. Many write operations occur to the storage medium used for transcoding, and when using an SSD specifically, this can cause unnecessary wear and tear that would lead to SSD burnouts happening more quickly than is necessary. By moving transcoding to RAM, you alleviate the burden from your non-volatile storage devices. RAM isn't subject to "burn out" from usage like an SSD would be, and transcoding doesn't need nearly as much space in memory to perform as some would think. How much RAM do I need for this? A single stream of video content transcoded to 12mbps on my test system took up 430MB on the root ram filesystem. The quality of the source content shouldn't matter, only the bitrate to which you are transcoding. In addition, there are other settings you can tweak to transcoding that would impact this number including how many second of transcoding should occur in advance of being played. Bottom line: If you have 4GB or less of total RAM on your system, you may have to tweak settings based on how many different streams you intend on transcoding simultaneously. If you have 8GB or more, you are probably in the safe zone, but obviously the more RAM you use in general, the less space will be available for transcoding. How do I do this There are two tweaks to be made in order to move your transcoding into RAM. One is to the Docker Container you are running and the other is a setting from within the Plex web client itself. Step 1: Changing your Plex Container Properties From within the webGui, click on "Docker" and click on the name of the PlexMediaServer container. From here, add a new volume mapping: /transcode to /tmp Click "Apply" and the container will be started with the new mapping. Step 2: Changing the Plex Media Server to use the new transcode directory Connect to the Plex web interface from a browser (e.g. http://tower:32400/web). From there, click the wrench in the top right corner of the interface to get to settings. Now click the "Server" tab at the top of this page. On the left, you should see a setting called "Transcoder." Clicking on that and then clicking the "Show Advanced" button will reveal the magical setting that let's you redirect the transcoding directory. Type "/transcode" in there and click apply and you're all set. You can tweak some of the other settings if desired to see if that improves your media streaming experience. Thanks for reading and enjoy!
    1 point
  3. Libvirt Hotplug USB This is my first plugin and alpha release. Unraid Plugin for Hot-plugging USB Devices to Running VMs. Libvirt Hotplug USB allows mounting of USB Devices (e.g. Keyboard, Mouse, iPhone, FlashDrive etc) on running VMs. It uses virsh to attach the Devices which avoids Conflicts between different VMs. Works perfectly with all of my USB Devices except iPhone, which requires detaching and attaching multiple times to be detected in the VM. To install this plugin, paste the following URL into the Plugins / Install PlugIn section: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bshakil/unraid-libvirt-usbhotplug/master/plugins/libvirt.hotplug.usb.plg
    1 point
  4. There is a recycle bin plugin that acts as a trash bin for files deleted from shares in unRAID, however I don't think it would come into play if something were deleted inside a VM, the VM's OS would handle that.
    1 point
  5. I am not a big water cooling fan for a 24x7x365 server. You might look at a Noctua DH-15 to provide excellent air cooling without risk of flooding or pump failure crashing the server.
    1 point
  6. I'm not up on what's the best one, but if you just need to know which ones will work, check out pcpartpicker.com. Just add your correct processor generation to the list (according to https://ark.intel.com/products/80806/Intel-Core-i7-4790-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-4_00-GHz yours is 4th generation) and it will show you which motherboards are compatible.
    1 point
  7. Something like this? https://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-Z97PRO-LGA-1150-Intel-Motherboard/273047804986?epid=216040901&hash=item3f92eadc3a:g:LIYAAOSwxOFacKre
    1 point
  8. Brand doesn't matter.
    1 point
  9. I'll leave it to those with experience to the specific boxes you listed for the first question. Unraid loads from the USB, but runs in RAM. It doesn't technically get "installed" anywhere. After the boot process is done, only config and state changes are normally written to the flash drive, everything is running from the RAMDisk created at boot. USB drives can be a little finicky, so searching the forums for specific models known to work would be advised. I'd recommend smaller if you can find it, as there really isn't much it's used for. My main do everything 13 drive multiple VM multiple docker pro box is only using 1.7GB on the flash drive. 4GB is plenty, but may be hard to find a quality new drive that small. SSD cache drives are very much recommended, especially for plex metadata, it speeds up the browsing and processing appreciably. I leave all my active machines running and spun down, my backup machines typically only run when needed. The small bit of power that is used by a spun down box is a welcome addition to the climate during winter, and not too onerous in summer. Computers, after all, are small space heaters with a healthy dose of air cleaner mixed in. Dust removal keeps the heater portion of the computer functioning properly. :-) If you want to get the attention of the mods, click on the "report this post" button that appears when you hover your mouse at the top right of your post. Explain yourself in the report, and they will take care of you.
    1 point
  10. My Servers are on 24-7 but I do spin the HD's down after a period of inactivity. Having said that I do shut them down if I am going to be out of town more than a day or two. Idle power for each server is about 45W.
    1 point
  11. Likely a bad SATA cable: 199 UDMA_CRC_Error_Count 0x0032 200 200 000 Old_age Always - 17 Replace and rebuild.
    1 point
  12. Oh I see, click the "Advanced View" button in the upper right corner. That enables the Edit button.
    1 point
  13. Those are all VGA (analog) 1080p. If you read some of the reviews, you'll see there are complaints on image quality. VGA cables at 1080p lose brightness and focus. And just to repeat - any of these Ethernet extenders require a dedicated point-to-point Cat5e+ cable that does not go through your router. A single run from the server to near the monitor. You can't just run Cat6 to your gigabit switch on both sides and expect it to drive the monitor to your computer! (I didn't understand that when I started looking - you guys obviously do. But just communicating for other readers) This one looks much better for 1080p. It is HDMI. Not a bad price. Lots of buyers. And good reviews. Might be issues with HDCP / HD audio passthrough. Need to read carefully and do homework if media playing is part of your plan. But if you want 4K HDMI capability with HD audio (DTS-HD, TrueHD, ATMOS, etc.) passthrough, none of those will work. HERE is the BlackBird 4k that I had seen at Monoprice. Cat6 recommended. Pricey at over $300! But if you read, even this premium unit has failures and complaints of the heat. HERE is one I found on Amazon. "gofanco" is not exactly a household name, but it is much cheaper at $106. One user reporting having a problem. He notes how "unbelievably hot" it gets to the touch. The report below chronicles his issue. They did replace it and he was happy after that. But I would be worried about any piece of electronics that runs that hot. It must be doing massive signal processing to convert the 18.6 GHz video signal from HDMI to Cat6 in real time. If I bought one of these Ethernet boxes, I'd want a fan blowing on it so it didn't burn itself out! As I've said, I went with HDMI. This was due to the expense, heat issue, potential high failure rate, potential HD audio issues, and fact this would not run through my network (which would have let connect from other locations in my house). One of my goals in moving the computer out of my office was to get the hot computer out, and the idea of a hot coal on the floor near the monitor was not appealing! HERE IS THE ACTIVE HDMI CABLE I bought. Mine is 50ft for $45. Small diameter. Video is crystal clear. No transformer or electrical connections. No HD audio passthrough limitations or complexity. No hiccups. No heat. If you are running HDMI cables, recommend one or two of THESE USB EXTENDERS too. I have 2 - one for Logitech Unifying receiver and one I got for FLIRC, but wind up using it for plugging occasional USB stick. Zero heat. No power connections or transformers. An alternative to use a software (Synergy) mouse sharing feature was mentioned. I looked into this but passed because it required A COMPUTER to plug keyboard and mouse into. I don't want another always on computer. And it requires a software install that my company doesn't allow (so won't allow me to use a shared keyboard/mouse with my work laptop). The software typically allows a shared clipboard function which is inherently insecure. And I am not at all sure I want my keystrokes going onto my network. Who knows how well these not-very-popular tools are secured or if they phone my keystrokes home. I found a better option for sharing keyboard and mouse for my needs. HERE is a KVM I use just for keyboard/mouse part. The HDMI video runs straight to the monitor (HDMI) from the computers. This allows me to switch between 4 sources. What's special about this KVM is it works with an IR remote. I have an old Harmony 650 with 4 buttons programmed to simultaneously switch the monitor input and the KVM input for my VM, work laptop, Surface (my backup computer when the VM is down, used mainly to bring down the VM and back it up from time to time), and one spare port for ad hoc use. The KVM is pricey but worth it if you are frequently changing video inputs. I tried lots of cheap options with mechanical buttons. Ok for occasional use, but if you are switching more than a few times a day, you won't be happy. And your finger joint will start to ache after a short while! BTW, the ConnectPro people change extra for the remote. I found the codes posted on some obscure forum, and sent them to Harmony and they added them to the Harmony database! So no need for the $25 or whatever they charge for their remote. I could not find a cheaper KVM with IR (in fact the UR-14 I linked is an excellent price for that unit that required some digging on Amazon to find.) Two negatives on the ConnectPro. One is it is rather large (approx 11"W, 2"H, and 5.5"D). And the IR is on the front so it has to be placed such that both the TV and the KVM "see" the IR codes from the Harmony. Mine peaks out under my large monitor and I hardly notice it, but you might give some thought. There may be a way to extend the IR somehow. But I think you'd have to take it apart which I'm not ready to do. There is no IR input. The other negative is that the USB outputs are on the back of the unit. I use a short USB extension cable. This prevents the unifying remote from being obstructed by the KVM. If running the HDMI cable end is a deterrent, look for a cable with a mini HDMI connector on one side. Finding an active one with that feature may be hard, but it would make it easier to run. Maybe not as easy as unterminated Cat6 as @jonathanm mentioned. (You'd need an adapter cable on the end to get back to full HDMI size, which might negatively impact your total cable length if you are near the limit.) Good luck with your remotely located VM! That's my complete brain dump on the topic. (#ssdindex - Options for Remotely Located Keyboard/Mouse/Monitor)
    1 point
  14. Thanks for your ideas...so how would you recover just the contents of one disk and not the entire user share in this case? I like the idea of offsite backup... how many years does it take to backup 40+TB across the interwebs?
    1 point
  15. Consider a case where the front side is modular so you can remove any fans or carriages and replace them with trayless drive cages. This scenario has 13 removable HDDs and up to 4 removable SSDs 1 5.25 to 4x2.5 SSD cage https://platinummicro.com/istarusa-bpn-124k-sa-trayless-5-25-inch-to-4x2-5-inch-hdd-ssd-hot-swap-rack/ 1 2x5.25 to 3x3.5 HDD cage https://platinummicro.com/istarusa-bpn-de230ss-blue-2x5-25-to-3x3-5-sas-cage-blue/ 2 3x5.25 to 5x3.5 HDD cages https://platinummicro.com/istarusa-bpn-de350ss-blue-3x5-25-to-5x3-5-trayless-blue/ These may not be the exact ones pictured here but it gives you an idea. Also they make them in different colors but I don't know if platinum micro has the best prices so shop around: https://platinummicro.com/search.php?search_query=StarUSA+BPN&Search+for+product= ps. the case is a sharkoon T9 Value that you can get on eBay but it costs alot because of overseas shipping. https://en.sharkoon.com/product/1678/T9Val#desc Once you remove the fans, the drive cages will fit, but iStar has a design 'feature' that requires you to bend the support tabs in the sharkoon case flat with a pair of pliers so the cages will slide into it without obstruction. The box tends to run hot with this many drives and may require additional cooling (ie liquid cooling)
    1 point
  16. Sounds much tougher than plaster problem!
    1 point
  17. Ah, the DIY version of my setup. Would have gone this route if these parts were readily available at my locality. as it was it cost me a pretty penny to get my parts shipped from else where. but I might go this route if parts were available.
    1 point
  18. Not sure exactly what you're looking for, but I have taken a pair of CSE-M35T-1B hot swap 5in3s and connected them with some metal strips / panels, creating a very compact "mini-tower" that I can run next to my server. 3 SFF-8088 cables from an LSI SAS9201-16e work nicely. 2 Molex cables for power and you'd be in business. Small footprint, self cooling. Hot-swap is excellent. Works for me. The fans in those units are awesome for cooling, but can be a bit loud. Replacement fans might be needed depending on your requirements. I've given thought to moving to a small case with no drives, and running all the drives in little pairs (or tris or quads) of external hot swap enclosures. Would love a NUC sized device with an SFF-8088 or even a few SATA ports. That with a 4in3 would make an awesome portable server.
    1 point
  19. Hi! I switched to UNRAID just a few weeks ago and I'm VERY happy with it. I even sold my MacMini after getting my macOS VM running smoothly and got a MacBook Air instead. My macOS VM now is a lot faster than my Mac Mini was before. I got a Xeon E3-1231v3 with 4 cores (8 threads). I assigned two cores solely to my VMs and two cores to UNRAID, Plex, TVHeadend etc. First I also thought about having macOS and Windows VMs running at the same time. But that requires two GPUs for the VMs and doesn't leave enough resources for Plex and all my Dockers. I decided to go for a solution to switch between macOS and Windows and therefore having more powerful VMs (even gaming is possible). Of course you can always get a CPU with more cores - then running macOS and Windows at the same time while still having enough resources for Dockers won't be a problem. But then you need an own GPU for every VM (or use VNC instead). My UNRAID setup now has: - Plex (as a Docker) - TVHeadend (3x DVB-S2, 1x DVB-C) for Live TV & PVR (as a Docker) - oscam (for descrambling German HD+ channels) (as a Docker) - JDownloader (as a Docker) - SABnzbd (as a Docker) - webgrabplus (for getting EPG data to TVHeadend) (as a Docker) All the dockers only use CPUset 0 and 4 - except Plex & TVHeadend - they use 0, 4, 1 and 5 because they can do transcoding. My Windows 10 and macOS VM have CPUset 2,3,6,7 - a passedthrough NVIDIA GTX 960 GPU, a passed through USB 3.0 PCIe controller (Inateck), a passed through AWBW Hackintosh WLAN/Bluetooth card (Broadcom BCM43602) and a USB Soundcard (connected directly to the passed through USB 3.0 card). gridrunners Tutorials really helped me a lot (Thank you!)... Greets Schlichi
    1 point
  20. Parity is the least important disk, since it doesn't contain any of your data. As jonathanm said.
    1 point
  21. Of all the drives you need to trust, it's a data disk. All disks are required to rebuild a faulty disks, so a questionable data drive is more likely to cause data loss than a parity disk. Consider the scenario where you have single parity and 2 disks fail. If one of those dead disks is the parity drive, you've only lost 1 drive's worth of data, if you 2 data drives fail you lose both data drives, even if the parity drive is fine.
    1 point
  22. This really seems like a good case for a plugin to me. unBalance started as a docker but was converted to a plugin since it really needed to work with all of the disks and their files. No point in making mappings when you are going to access everything anyway. In the case of drive performance testing, since it is working with all drives, and not really even accessing any user files, not sure what making it a docker really does for us. And mapping the unRAID OS folders really seems like breaking the isolation docker is intended to provide.
    1 point
  23. Buying a motherboard with so many SATA ports is not necessary. You can buy an LSI SAS9201-8i for about $50 on eBay, or other similar card. This gives 8 ports, and in conjunction with a motherboard with 6 ports, you'd be in good shape. Why limit yourself to a niche motherboard with extra ports? The add on controllers can move to future motherboards avoiding having to repurchase a new motherboard with high port counts every time you upgrade.
    1 point
  24. It was a NIC hiccup, usually harmless, unless you notice any ethernet issues.
    1 point
  25. I haven't had the time yet to fully investigate the issue with S3-sleep and the required solution. It will come, but please have patience.
    1 point
  26. @tillkrueger @jenskolson @trurl @unrateable @jonathanm @1812 @Squid since all of you were active in this thread. I found a way to get the file transfer back. Bring up the Guacamole left panel menu (CTRL ALT SHIFT) Input Method = On Screen Keyboard In the On Screen Keyboard, use ALT (it'll stay on, 'pressed') then TAB, select it using TAB, then ALT again (to turn off) A tip I found too, is that anytime doing a copy or move, always best to use the 'queue' button in the pop-up confirmation dialog so that multiple transfers are sequentially handled. It's easy to get to the queue, I found using this it often mitigates much of my need to see the file transfer progress window. The 'Queue Manager' is easy to get back on the screen by using the top menu, Tools > Queue Manager
    1 point
  27. Since all of my servers are headless I look first and foremost for IPMI or equivalent. I won't go back to having to use a monitor and keyboard to manage it. The other thing I look for is NOT the latest generation board but one that is known compatible. I'll let someone else experiment with the cutting edge boards - that most likely will work with unRAID. I just prefer to use something known good. I spend too much time on maintenance now on my servers I don't want to have to work out compatibility issues along with everything else.
    1 point