NAS + Render Server

[HunterAP]

I'm planning on running a PC with Windows Server 2016 as a NAS and rendering/streaming machine. My question is how can I set up the server to connect to my PC over ethernet so that I can access the files through something like Windows Explorer and Adobe apps?

[AbsoluteFool]

Not sure about adobe apps.. You probably want a remote desktop connection. 

About the files you will activate network sharing.

[HunterAP]

So then another question:

 

I have two monitors, and I physically only have enough space for those two on my desk. If I want to monitor the server in real-time, what's the best way to do this?

I'm considering a hardware KVM, but I don't want to be unable to use my main desktop when I'm viewing the server through the KVM.

[AbsoluteFool]

Get SSH and monitor it remotely? 

I guess you could put it into the monitor or have a remote session open at all times. But that seems quite hard compared to connecting remotely throught ssh. But there is a little learning curve with the commands to use SSH for this type of monitoring.

[BloodKnight7]

On 5/26/2018 at 11:10 AM, HunterAP said:

So then another question:

 

I have two monitors, and I physically only have enough space for those two on my desk. If I want to monitor the server in real-time, what's the best way to do this?

I'm considering a hardware KVM, but I don't want to be unable to use my main desktop when I'm viewing the server through the KVM.

 

Besides the options that @AbsoluteFool recommends which are the easiest/logical ones (less expensive as well.

 

1)You could try software like Synergy. Its like a software KVM in some ways  https://symless.com/synergy

2)Also, if the PC you are running Windows Server 2016 has a IPMI port, you could cable that port into the network, configure an IP address and use the iKVM (virtual KVM) most manufacturers include for accessing the desktop of your server remotely.

 

Other than those options, I'm all out of ideas, other options are TeamViewer and its look-alikes...

[HunterAP]

I'm thinking of actually purchasing a small display that's smaller than 12" and having a mount on the wall for it, and have a wireless keyboard + mouse in a drawer next to me.

 

I figure using any form of Remote Desktop connection, even over ethernet, would be too slow for real time monitoring, so this is the best option I can think of.

[Pixel5]

all of this is not really required, if you setup the server correctly you dont need to monitor anything at all times and you will literally sit there looking at random numbers of CPU load and memory usage with no benefit.

 

typically a server has no monitor connected at all, if you need to do something on it you use a remote desktop connection.

 

do you know how to use windows server and how to setup SMB shares?

With the questions getting asked here this sounds more like a job for a pre built NAS that just works instead of doing a DIY build

[HunterAP]

Besides using this system for a NAS + Rendering machine, I guess I should've mentioned that I want to use it as a 2nd PC for streaming, AK I'll need to be able to access it often enough and be able to make sure that the stream is running smoothly (at least in previews).

[NelizMastr]

Keep in mind entire companies work over remote desktop connections. While it's not meant for graphical work, it's more than fine for Office and web browsing for instance. So just to monitor what your server is doing, remote desktop will do fine.