03-11-2013, 02:40 PM
Good afternoon! It seems I've found another tech project to obsess over for the next few months. When I move to my new apartment, I want to set up a network that has a few more capabilities than I have now. That is, I want to be able to do a bit more than just connect multiple devices to the internet, print via USB, and have all of my files on just my HDD or USB-connected external HDD. I'm pretty sure I can accomplish most of these over a home network, and that it might actually be a smarter way to do it. I'll also be using this thread to talk about other devices I'll be purchasing soon. Here's a list of what I'm trying to accomplish by doing this.
Goals
Okay, some of these are going to be pretty straightforward. However, I've never done anything more complex than plug & play, really. I was hoping I could pick your collective brains for some advice or guidance. How can I go about solving this?
Ideas & Questions
Home media server - Resolved!
I guess it makes sense that I can store all of my media and documents on another PC that's open to the network. But how, exactly? Must I build a new PC? What considerations should I have when buying parts? Once it's built, how can I access its files from another device? Really, all I need is a storage drive that's accessible via network. Is there such thing as a home media drive? Are they any good?
Television
I mentioned wanting to stream to my TV. I must first concede that I don't actually have a television set, as it's not super conducive to dorm living. But, I'm pretty sure I'll be getting one. I know there are "smart TVs" on the market now; can they connect to a network and playback media? Would a simpler set and a Roku or something similar be more versatile? And of course, what consumer points are important when buying a new set? LED/plasma, size, refresh rate, etcetc.
Printer
This is probably going to be the easiest thing to accomplish, seeing as I've already done it with my current printer. However, said printer is a pos HP inkjet, and it's got to go. All I know is that I'm going to pick up a laser printer that's either Wifi or Ethernet enabled, and keep it somewhere central in my apartment. Still, recommendations? Thoughts? Are color laser printers too prohibitive?
Network management
I'm pretty comfortable with my Router control panel now. But I must wonder, are there good software solutions for monitoring & managing your network, maybe with a graphical readout? It probably wouldn't amount to much, but it'd be nice to have, especially if I have a way to keep track of devices which keep getting new IPs reassigned and have nondescript names (eg "android-28ng9s478g9h8")
Home layout
Not really technical, but still worth mentioning. How do you guys like to arrange your workspaces? I'm pretty sure I'll keep my gaming rig near the hub (modem/router/printer). What if I need to snake an ethernet cable somewhere? What about Powerline; does anyone have experience with it?
Other considerations
Oh yeah, my actual router. I have a Linksys WRT54GL, aka "the ak47 of routers". Think that'll be enough for me? Should I upgrade to some fancy, dual-band n-enabled router?
Plans
Get a Roku Resolved!
I'm now in possession of a Roku 3. Wish it had broader media compatibility, but it works pretty well.
Get a NAS drive
Probably going to get the Synology DS213, with 2x3TB WD Red drives, in a RAID-1 configuration.
Get a "dumb" TV
With Roku and Plex handling everything I want on the TV end, a Smart TV would be redundant. Now I can look into getting a decent, vanilla HDTV. No 3D, please.
There's a fair bit to talk about here. But I won't really put things into action until after ACEN, to give me plenty of time to research and think through things.
Goals
- Store media in a central location, making it accessible from multiple devices on my network.
- Playback to an HDTV, preferably wirelessly.
- Secure files and media from physical theft.
- Torrent directly to and from the central server.
- Save precious HDD space (see above).
- Monitor & control my network, preferably using some sort of GUI.
- Access my printer from any computer on the network.
Okay, some of these are going to be pretty straightforward. However, I've never done anything more complex than plug & play, really. I was hoping I could pick your collective brains for some advice or guidance. How can I go about solving this?
Ideas & Questions
Home media server - Resolved!
I guess it makes sense that I can store all of my media and documents on another PC that's open to the network. But how, exactly? Must I build a new PC? What considerations should I have when buying parts? Once it's built, how can I access its files from another device? Really, all I need is a storage drive that's accessible via network. Is there such thing as a home media drive? Are they any good?
Television
I mentioned wanting to stream to my TV. I must first concede that I don't actually have a television set, as it's not super conducive to dorm living. But, I'm pretty sure I'll be getting one. I know there are "smart TVs" on the market now; can they connect to a network and playback media? Would a simpler set and a Roku or something similar be more versatile? And of course, what consumer points are important when buying a new set? LED/plasma, size, refresh rate, etcetc.
Printer
This is probably going to be the easiest thing to accomplish, seeing as I've already done it with my current printer. However, said printer is a pos HP inkjet, and it's got to go. All I know is that I'm going to pick up a laser printer that's either Wifi or Ethernet enabled, and keep it somewhere central in my apartment. Still, recommendations? Thoughts? Are color laser printers too prohibitive?
Network management
I'm pretty comfortable with my Router control panel now. But I must wonder, are there good software solutions for monitoring & managing your network, maybe with a graphical readout? It probably wouldn't amount to much, but it'd be nice to have, especially if I have a way to keep track of devices which keep getting new IPs reassigned and have nondescript names (eg "android-28ng9s478g9h8")
Home layout
Not really technical, but still worth mentioning. How do you guys like to arrange your workspaces? I'm pretty sure I'll keep my gaming rig near the hub (modem/router/printer). What if I need to snake an ethernet cable somewhere? What about Powerline; does anyone have experience with it?
Other considerations
Oh yeah, my actual router. I have a Linksys WRT54GL, aka "the ak47 of routers". Think that'll be enough for me? Should I upgrade to some fancy, dual-band n-enabled router?
Plans
Get a Roku Resolved!
I'm now in possession of a Roku 3. Wish it had broader media compatibility, but it works pretty well.
Get a NAS drive
Probably going to get the Synology DS213, with 2x3TB WD Red drives, in a RAID-1 configuration.
Get a "dumb" TV
With Roku and Plex handling everything I want on the TV end, a Smart TV would be redundant. Now I can look into getting a decent, vanilla HDTV. No 3D, please.
There's a fair bit to talk about here. But I won't really put things into action until after ACEN, to give me plenty of time to research and think through things.