johnt

Sorry it's not "mask" per-say. The devices just create a different MAC address at times. From the fruit corp:

Why don’t you just disable the NIC in one of the OSes? It’s so much easier than messing with network stuff.

I think you need a fancier router to do this properly. But I feel like I remember ASUS has a way you can assign IP addresses to certain devices (likely after they are assigned), and then toggle their internet access. But this only works with devices already connected to your network. I don't think those routers can do VLANs or control multiple SSID's with different settings. But this isn't always going to work with modern devices. I noticed my iPhone masks its MAC address for wifi somehow. It shows up as a different device from time to time. I'm confused though. If you don't want wireless devices having internet access, why connect them to your wifi at all? Also, if you don't want wired devices having access until you approve them, don't let them plug in a wire maybe??

This upsets me greatly lol I feel like there is a niche market here that I could capitalize on

What happened to the warranty?

That's exactly what we discovered from the last debacle a few months ago... You need to do your own research at times and get your hands dirty with your own projects. I'm not suggesting everybody open their own PSUs and start replacing components willy nilly. But it isn't as hard or as complicated as the tubers make it sound. There are a lot of capable people in this world.

They are definitely the most qualified bunch to give advice

Damn this thing is almost perfect. If I can find a way to cut off the top, place it side by side, and make it fit into a rack..... it would be end game. Take my money! I would even be happy with 6 bays. I know I'm monopolizing the Op's post but I've been searching for a decent 2u or 3u case with hot swap that isn't 24 inches long (nominal) and I'm convinced it doesn't exist.

I run my Plex server from a Windows PC and the usage always spikes to 100% during transcoding. I don't see the fate of a 12600k being much different. I'm getting curious about unraid and truenas just to see the differences.

That's a great price for that chassis. Wish it wasn't so long deep...

Plex transcoding can be tough on a cpu. I would go with the 12600k since it’s cheaper with the same P core count.

Corsair

Where? A rack mount case with hot swap bays that doesn’t require a 24" plus cage and reasonably affordable for home use? The models I come across are like $400 usd. Very cost prohibitive. They don’t even fit standard size atx motherboards. It’s a maddening niche field.

Oh I think you’re talking about unraid. I was talking about Plex.

I guess that depends on your country. It’s $120 usd for my area.