Server Version#: 4.76.1
Player Version#: 1.40.1.2823-6f60f3a7
I’m struggling to find the best combination in choosing as my Plex Server between W/Server (which is configured as NAS-Shared Storage Folders), or Windows Desktop.
Plex Server is currently installed on Windows Server 2019 Essentials, with 2 x 1TB HDD RAID mirror. The Server was installed to enable a robust environment (for me) to manage my media files (after unsuccessful attempts to use FreeNAS). The Server is not providing any other significant services to my home LAN.
My principal usage of Plex is through either an Android (10) TV and/or an Android (12) mobile phone.
But, I’m out of my depth when it comes to understanding the best LAN configuration for my home network, including sharing my media files across the LAN.
The Windows Server was built from an old ACER PC - it has an Intel Pentium Dual Core E6700 3.2Ghz, 8GB RAM and Win Svr 2019 Essentials.
My desktop PC is Intel i5-4460 3.2Ghz with 16GB RAM and Windows 10.
All LAN devices connect through the Gateway 20Mbps ISP hosting ground floor WiFI and Android TV, to a first floor TP-Link RE450 Extender, hosting both the Windows 10 Desktop and the Windows Server through a TP-Link SG108e 8 Port Switch. All are on the same subnet.
When I connect to the Server through Plex Player, either on the Android TV or outside the LAN on my Android Phone, I get the message that because the Plex Server isn’t a direct connection transcoding may be necessary to load and play media files.
This brings the question as to whether I’d be better off installing Plex Server on the Desktop Windows PC and only using the Windows Server system as shared storage NAS. With the desktop’s faster CPU and larger RAM would this eliminate the transcoding requirement and would removing the load from the Windows Server improve access times to the NAS media files?
An obvious drawback in this approach would be that I’d need to leave the Desktop switched on at all times, as opposed to already having 24x7 access to the Windows Server.
Any thoughts or pointers would be much appreciated.
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