Can a NAS be used for multiple things?

[Helios5584]

Hello,

 

I have been researching getting a Plex server started with a NAS, however I was also wanting a place to store local data as well. Since I am not wanting to buy 2x NAS, I was wanting to know if there is a way to have both a Plex Server and file storage on the same NAS (preferably running at the same time)?

 

Sorry if this is a stupid question, I am unfamiliar with how a NAS works and I have not used one before.

 

Thanks!

[Kilrah]

A typical NAS's primary purpose is file sharing, but many can run applications at the same time and Plex is a popular one.

[BobVonBob]

A Plex server is a NAS anyway. Plex just makes video files you're already storing on your NAS available in a convenient interface.

[Lipe123]

Get a Synology NAS.

 

They come with an "app store" with tons of free apps for media servers or plex servers and many many more things.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-setup-plex-synology-nas

[Salacious B Crum]

Absolutely many NAS OS's have either docker container functionality or as stated an app store geared around the OS take a look at unRAID as an example it's not freeware but it will be the cheapest part of any home built NAS setup currently my unRAID server is running a dozen or so dockers including PLEX and it has been great however remember spec you hardware around PLEX as that has a higher demand then just a plain old NAS

[NelizMastr]

Certain NAS boxes will do great for more than one purpose. The easiest to manage are Synology and QNAP appliances generally. I can vouch for Synology the most as that's what I'm most experienced with. If you pick a Synology NAS with an Intel CPU, you get quicksync, for faster Plex transcodes, and the opportunity to run VMs and Docker containers. Keep them light, though, as these devices are designed to sip power and not be particularly powerful (thin Atom/Celeron CPUs).

[bpcmd]

On 8/4/2020 at 6:25 PM, Lipe123 said:

Get a Synology NAS.

 

They come with an "app store" with tons of free apps for media servers or plex servers and many many more things.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-setup-plex-synology-nas

I agree. I use mine to stream video, file share, mail server and more. Who needs a cloud storage subscription... if you have a friend with one you both can create privileges and folders for each other to back up data off site. You can always have your data available, whatever the format, even to your phone. There is a complete gui OS for it that is pretty good, even for a relative novice like me.

I once lost all the video data taken when mt daughter was 3yrs old by knocking an external usb drive off my desk as I was copying data. I vowed that would never happen a gain.