Setting up a file server

[IgorM]

I'm planning to create a file server for cheap so I can access files and media on my network and remotely. Using a raspberry pi seems a great option as it doesn't cost much and it doesn't draw a lot of power. Which software should I use? Plex is great for media, but what about files? 

[Speedbird]

Set up a samba server if you have Windows computers. Also consider an external USB hard drive for your Pi, you can only put SD cards up to 32GB.

https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi/samba-file-server/

Edited August 27, 2018 by Speedbird
Corected SD max capacity

[Electronics Wizardy]

Stay away from a pi here, get something like a odriod. THe pi will be very slow due to that usb 10/100 nic.

 

Id personally spend a bit for for a synology box.

[Mikensan]

I'd buy an old core 2 duo for $50 before a pi to use as a NAS. They really don't draw much power, have enough horsepower for a file server, and all over ebay/CL. You also can mount the disks instead of using USB (add more later etc..).

 

If you have the spare scratch (~$100-$150) you can buy a 2 bay synology off ebay, 4 if you look hard enough. However neither the pi nor the synology for that price range will run plex very well. Core 2 duo has a better shot (single 1080p streams would be fine).