Playback Issues with NAS - SHould I use Windows as a Server

[Ahole 17]

Currenlty I use a Synology 920+ NAS  as my main data store and as my Emby Server (running as package on the NAS - not via Docker).  I use HaProxy on a PfSense router to get external https traffic to my Emby server (from ecternal to my network - which is used moderately by myself and my users - mostly family).  The majority of my use is across my network with an Nvidia Shiled and  fire TV.

I have intermittently had some playback issues , bufferning, stuttering, difficulty fast forwarding etc.

My question is - since I have some extra laptops would it be better to run my Emby server on an extra Windows laptop - with 2 options being network LAN connection to the NAS data storage, or second option maybe somehow connecting the laptop to the NAS via the esata port.

Having the data local to the laptop on windows is probably not feasible since I almsot 11TB of data

[Luke 42079]

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I have intermittently had some playback issues , bufferning, stuttering, difficulty fast forwarding etc.

 

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

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My question is - since I have some extra laptops would it be better to run my Emby server on an extra Windows laptop - with 2 options being network LAN connection to the NAS data storage, or second option maybe somehow connecting the laptop to the NAS via the esata port.

I think either should be suitable as an Emby Server.

 

[Ahole 17]

53 minutes ago, Luke said:

 

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

I think either should be suitable as an Emby Server.

 

Luke - thanks for taking time to teply -- so I spent several hours setting up a spare Windows laptop  :
Processor    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20GHz   2.20 GHz
Installed RAM    16.0 GB (15.8 GB usable)

 

And spent the time setting it up on my pfsense router so it was accesible externall via HaProxy and https (so I was eliminating variables).  I even have the laptop currently accessing the network via WiFi (both for it's server capabilities and access to my NAS data store via mapped network drive.  The videos play instantly on the laptop server verion (as compared to my NAS), and most imprtantly I can fast forward to the middle of the movie and it doesn't lock up.   Granted I have been greatly PLEASED with my Synology NAS and with EMBY for years now !!!!   But is it unusual for the NAS to seemingly struggle (vs a more powerful PC) when running as an Emby server??

Or should I go back to the drawing board and try to troubleshoot my NAS ??   Shoulld I run Emby as a docker instead of as a package?

 

[Luke 42079]

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Shoulld I run Emby as a docker instead of as a package?

Any of these options should work well. I would choose the server machine and install package based on whatever you prefer.

So yes, I think it is better to look into whatever issue is happening. Then if we realize that the NAS is underpowered for something that you're trying to do, then maybe you adjust based on that info, but I don't think we know that yet.

[rbjtech 5284]

The Windows laptop (an i7/16GB and presumabaly an NVME/SSD) is going to run rings around whatever is in the NAS.

The fastest combo would be to connect the NAS to the Laptop via eSATA (6Gbit/sec).    Second would be via a network (assume 1Gbit/sec), the faster the better BUT you need to remember that the network is now being used to PULL the data from the NAS (over SMB), then the laptop convert to HTTP and then it PUSH the same data out to the client.  This is not ideal from an I/O perspective and the protocols used are not effective at this.   The NAS did not need to do that, as it had the data locally (via SATA).   This is why the eSATA is the best choice.

Edited July 26, 2024 by rbjtech

[Ahole 17]

On 7/26/2024 at 11:09 AM, rbjtech said:

The Windows laptop (an i7/16GB and presumabaly an NVME/SSD) is going to run rings around whatever is in the NAS.

The fastest combo would be to connect the NAS to the Laptop via eSATA (6Gbit/sec).    Second would be via a network (assume 1Gbit/sec), the faster the better BUT you need to remember that the network is now being used to PULL the data from the NAS (over SMB), then the laptop convert to HTTP and then it PUSH the same data out to the client.  This is not ideal from an I/O perspective and the protocols used are not effective at this.   The NAS did not need to do that, as it had the data locally (via SATA).   This is why the eSATA is the best choice.

Thank you!

 Any experience at connecting a laptop to the NAS with eSata?

[rbjtech 5284]

2 hours ago, Ahole said:

Thank you!

 Any experience at connecting a laptop to the NAS with eSata?

I'm making the assumption your laptop has an eSATA port   if not, then it's probably not an option..

[Ahole 17]

On 7/28/2024 at 2:36 AM, rbjtech said:

I'm making the assumption your laptop has an eSATA port   if not, then it's probably not an option..

So I just realized this particular laptop does not have the esata port that I thought it had.  I have a Thunderbolt USB C port -- wonder if I can use a USB C to esata cable to accomplish the same thing?

Not sure what / how I can use the connection with Synology NAS -- there docimentation says the esata port only for expanding storage driive bay ??

 

[Ahole 17]

On 7/28/2024 at 2:36 AM, rbjtech said:

I'm making the assumption your laptop has an eSATA port   if not, then it's probably not an option..

@rbjtechI ordered a cable that will connect Thunderboit USB C to esata -- you think that will work?   Do you have any specifics on how to make the connection with a PC and a Synology NAS ?

[rbjtech 5284]

Possibly.  I'm also assuming the esata port will allow addressable storage on the NAS - it may not.   Sometimes the esata is just for expanding the NAS.

Worst case is you'll need to connect via ethernet (and return the cable adapter).

[Clackdor 109]

The esata port on the NAS is only useful for expanding storage. You won't be able the directly check nnect the two like that. Communication will have to happen over the network.