Hi all,

 

First, let me say that my network knowledge is almost zero.  Second, I'm probably going to ask a bunch of stupid questions, so if you aren't super patient, then you probably want to pass on this thread.

 

Here's what I have:

unRAID server with 7 data (from 750GB to 2TB) + 1 parity drive (it's been working fine for 4+ years)

Server version 4.5.6 (upgraded from 4.3 free version originally)

All drives have data on them

Windows 7 computer that I send/receive files from the NAS

HTPC w/ XBMC (that runs Win 7) that accesses the NAS

 

To use the drives on the PC I just map the drives...i.e. disk1 (Drive letter), disk2 (Drive letter), etc.  I don't have any user shares (correct term?) set up currently.

 

I am almost positive on a purchase of a Dune HD media player to replace the PC (which is somewhat quirky).

 

Q1: I am under the impression that I will need to change my setup so that I have one folder ex. MEDIA that I can point the Dune to to access data unlike my current setup with 7 data drives.  Is this correct?

 

Q2: Assuming answer to Q1 is yes, then can I set up shares that will either be MEDIA/Music, MEDIA/TV Shows, etc. easily that will not result in any data loss?  I.e. Can I just enable the shares setting in the Manager program and have everything "snap into place?"

 

Q3: I have fumbled through the unofficial manual.  What other settings do I need to adjust?  I take it that I need to set allocation method, export setting and how to split levels.  I'm still unsure what the best setup for my system is.

 

Here is the current data structure I have:

disk1: Backup, Music, Pictures folders

disk2: Movies, TV Shows, Misc folders

disk3: TV Shows, Special folders

disk4: Movies, TV Shows

disk5: Music

disk6: Movies

disk7: Movies, TV Shows folders

 

Ideally, I would like to have shares that are: Backup, Music, Pictures, Movies, TV Shows, Misc, Special.  Only the TV Shows, Movies need to be accessible to the Dune.  I have a Sonos that accesses the Music folders.

 

These folders are set up like: Movies/Movie Name/VIDEO_TS, TV Shows/Season/files or TV Shows/files, etc.  Obviously, I want to be able to transfer new music, tv shows, etc. from the PC.

 

Can anyone help??

 

Thanks much in advance for the simple questions...

Brian

You can set up one or more user shares to accomplish your goal.

 

If you set up a single share called "Media", then you'll want to create a folder called "Media" at the root of each drive. In other words, disk1 should have:

Media

  Backup

  Music

  Picture Folders

Where right now it has:

Backup

Music

Picture Folders

 

If I were you, I would create separate user shares for TV Shows, Movies, and Media. But how you organize your shares and media is totally up to you. If you choose to do this, you'll have some headache ahead in organizing your disk and file structure to match.

 

So for instance if you choose to put "Movies" on disk 1 and 2, then create your user share "Movies", tell it to use disk1 and 2, and then move all your movies on to those two disks. Use Midnight Commander to speed up this process if you choose to do it.

 

 

I took a quick look and it appears the Dune can support multiple network drives.

 

So, as a first step, make sure the directory name on each disk for each media type is exactly the same. eg, "TV Shows" on disk4 is spelt exactly like "TV Shows" on disk7. Then, just turn on user shares. You should get a new user share on the network for every existing level directory and the shares page should list the settings for each of these shares.

 

Now, if you want to copy files to the shares you need to set some settings for each one. First step would be to assign the disks each one is allowed to do. Use the format "disk1,disk2,disk3" to include or exclude those disks. Music would use disk1,disk5". You don't need to fill out both, just the include is enough. Second would be the allocation method. I recommend either high water or most free. Fill-up can create problems. The split level would also need setting for the shares using more than one disk. Movies would use 1 and TV could use 1 or 2. 1 keeps the whole show together on a single disk and 2 keeps each season together on a single disk. Music use 1 to keep each artist on a single disk.

 

If you continue to use the disk mapping to copy data to the server then ignore the above paragraph and just keep doing what you're doing. The share settings only matter if you copy data to the share.

 

Try that and see how it goes. Monitor the disks as you copy the first data to make sure it goes where you want and how you want.

 

 

So, as a first step, make sure the directory name on each disk for each media type is exactly the same. eg, "TV Shows" on disk4 is spelt exactly like "TV Shows" on disk7. Then, just turn on user shares. You should get a new user share on the network for every existing level directory and the shares page should list the settings for each of these shares.

They are the same, but do I need to put them under a "MEDIA" directory or is it fine to leave them be?  I.e. MEDIA/TV Shows, MEDIA/Movies and then just backup (not under MEDIA)?

 

So, just to be clear...turning on shares will not be an issue for data loss on the drives, correct?

 

Now, if you want to copy files to the shares you need to set some settings for each one. First step would be to assign the disks each one is allowed to do. Use the format "disk1,disk2,disk3" to include or exclude those disks. Music would use disk1,disk5". You don't need to fill out both, just the include is enough. Second would be the allocation method. I recommend either high water or most free. Fill-up can create problems. The split level would also need setting for the shares using more than one disk. Movies would use 1 and TV could use 1 or 2. 1 keeps the whole show together on a single disk and 2 keeps each season together on a single disk. Music use 1 to keep each artist on a single disk.

 

Most free is fine for me I believe.  So, you are saying that there will be a include option for all the top level directories like TV Shows, Movies, Misc, Backup, Music, etc.?  Does it make sense to put the directories I plan to access from the Dune under one directory like MEDIA?

 

I think I'm beginning to understand the split level.  If I keep all the folders as is (no MEDIA) then I would set movies like you say..1 and then movies would be sent to any disk that has a Movies share under this share.  TV Shows I'm fine with a 1 as well.  However, my music set up is as follows: Music/Genre/Artist - Album.  So I would want to use a 2 correct?... so that I can assign what genre it goes to?

 

If you continue to use the disk mapping to copy data to the server then ignore the above paragraph and just keep doing what you're doing. The share settings only matter if you copy data to the share.

If it is set up properly (as above), then wouldn't I want to use it the "shared" way above for ease?  Is there any reason I would want to do it manually?

 

Try that and see how it goes. Monitor the disks as you copy the first data to make sure it goes where you want and how you want.

 

I will try it tonight or tomorrow (as long as there is no risk of data loss).  Can I just turn it off if I don't like the way things are working?

 

Thanks a lot!

Brian

Personally, I'd keep the shares seperate.

 

No, there is not an include for each directory. Every top level directory will be a share. There is a spot where you can tell it which disks to use for each share.

 

It sounds like your split level choices are OK. You added the extra Genre level in the music so to the split level to get the same result. In this case 2 would still keep each artist together on a single disk.

 

The user shares won't cause data loss. If you don't like them then turn them off again. And yes, they are easier but you must understand what your settings mean and that certain settings can lead to full disks. For example, adding TV series to fairly full disks with a split level of 1 means the whole series stays on a disk. Start with 100gig free on the disk and add a series which is 120gig in total and you will get a disk full error. unRAID won't start using a new disk just because that one is full. You set it to keep the series together and it either does so or fails trying.

 

The user shares won't cause data loss. If you don't like them then turn them off again. And yes, they are easier but you must understand what your settings mean and that certain settings can lead to full disks. For example, adding TV series to fairly full disks with a split level of 1 means the whole series stays on a disk. Start with 100gig free on the disk and add a series which is 120gig in total and you will get a disk full error. unRAID won't start using a new disk just because that one is full. You set it to keep the series together and it either does so or fails trying.

 

Hi Lionel, again

 

so when will unRAID use the next disk if the first disk is getting full?  If it seems that there is 100g free, and knows the next copy is 120g, why not start using the next disk?

 

Hi Lionel, again

 

so when will unRAID use the next disk if the first disk is getting full?  If it seems that there is 100g free, and knows the next copy is 120g, why not start using the next disk?

 

That is the problem!  unRAID does not know the size of the copy until it is finished.  So you must set the 'Min. Free Space' to be larger than any file you are going to be copying over to that share.  That way, if the actual free space on the disk is less then Min. Free Space setting, the copy will be done on the next available disk. 

 

Hi Lionel, again

 

so when will unRAID use the next disk if the first disk is getting full?  If it seems that there is 100g free, and knows the next copy is 120g, why not start using the next disk?

 

That is the problem!  unRAID does not know the size of the copy until it is finished.  So you must set the 'Min. Free Space' to be larger than any file you are going to be copying over to that share.  That way, if the actual free space on the disk is less then Min. Free Space setting, the copy will be done on the next available disk.

 

thanks frank.  can you check my post here, and give me feedback on my issue? thanks

 

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=22836.0

The user shares won't cause data loss. If you don't like them then turn them off again. And yes, they are easier but you must understand what your settings mean and that certain settings can lead to full disks. For example, adding TV series to fairly full disks with a split level of 1 means the whole series stays on a disk. Start with 100gig free on the disk and add a series which is 120gig in total and you will get a disk full error. unRAID won't start using a new disk just because that one is full. You set it to keep the series together and it either does so or fails trying.

 

Hi Lionel, again

 

so when will unRAID use the next disk if the first disk is getting full?  If it seems that there is 100g free, and knows the next copy is 120g, why not start using the next disk?

 

In that situation it won't start using another disk, regardless of a full disk or not. You have specified via using split level=1 to keep each complete TV series together on a single disk. So, that's what it will attempt to do.

 

As for your other post. Try the most free allocation method. It might just spread things out by itself since each new directory makes the disk slightly smaller. If it doesn't by itself, then only copy small bits at a time, say about 300-500gig, and each of those bits will then go to the most free disk, which will likely be a different one than the last disk files were copied to.

 

Another option is to manually create the TV show directories spread out between the different disks so the files will go to those directories on the different disks.

 

The last option is to set a higher split level (at least 3) and the min free space correctly and then the files will just go to a free disk with no disk to disk structure. In other words, each TV series would be spread out over multiple disks.

 

Just remember, the split level is the first and main thing used to decide. If the split level says "don't split those files" then they won't split no matter what min free space setting or allocation method you are using.