Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Storage Solutions for our OUT-OF-CONTROL iTunes Libraries
- Thread starter fivepoint
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
This is what I did. Works well enough. Two bits of advice if you go this route. First no matter how much space you think you need, buy a case that can hold more. I'm already at a point where I need to replace my case because I went with a cheap $50 one and can only hold 8 drives. The Second is make sure you use Ubuntu Server vs. Ubuntu Desktop. Turns out if you want to do software RAID it is much easier to install Ubuntu server and add the desktop environment (apt-get install ubuntu-desktop) then it is to install the desktop version and re-roll the kernel to support software RAID. All in all I'm happy enough with it. Thinking of replacing it with a Drobo for space reasons but then I'm stuck with all these damn 500GB drives.
Having used Xserve RAIDs at work, I can't imagine how much noise this setup makes. I'm guessing this isn't in the back of the living room type setup.
Slightly off topic but I looked into unRaid too. My understanding is that with all your drives, you can't make them appear as one big share similar to a regular RAID5. Does that sound right? I was never really clear on that answer so I went with a traditional RAID.
Let me know how that goes. I'm seriously tempted due to space reasons but I'm hesitant to reinvest in all new drives (I'm using 7x500GB so I'll need to upgrade to 1TB drives).
It's my understanding that you can define "user shares" which are essentially subfolders on each drive that are named the same. So disk1/movies, disk2/movies, disk3/movies, etc. on three different drives will just show up as "movies" and the share will have all the contents of all three folders on all three disks. This is great. The bummer though, is that this "user share" is not writable. So essentially, you have to fill up the three folders on the three disks before you plop them into the unraid box. You can't directly rename files, etc. to files when using the user share. That's a really big issue that isn't really clearly addressed on lime's website.
I'm starting to think a Drobo might be the way to go here, with your entire iTunes library held on it and connected via FW800 to the main machine in the house.
Does anyone know if there's any issue with the Drobo going in to powersave mode and spinning the disks down? I seem to remember when I had iTunes referencing an external HDD, the disk would spin down and iTunes would lose the connection to it which was a real pain.
Does anyone know if there's any issue with the Drobo going in to powersave mode and spinning the disks down? I seem to remember when I had iTunes referencing an external HDD, the disk would spin down and iTunes would lose the connection to it which was a real pain.
You guys are making me sad. It seems like my dilemma may not be easily solved. Hopefully it isn't as complicated as I think it will be. Here's the situation:
My wife hates that, in order to see or do anything with the images she takes, I need to have iPhoto open on my computer (Mac Pro), and she then has to connect to it over sharing.
By the same token, I don't like that she buys iTunes content on her MacBook, which is sometimes a duplicate of content I already have. Now that the App Store is out, that is going to start getting really expensive.
So instead, I want us to be able to:
1) Have ONE iTunes library on the network, and ONE iPhoto library. Both of these would be accessible to any computer on the network. When you launch iTunes, you would get all the media that is in that library.
2) Both be able to access iTunes at the same time to listen to / watch content.
3) Both be able to purchase iTunes content, and when it it purchased, it updates that single library. If I buy a song, the next time my wife fires up iTunes, that song is there for her to listen to.
4) Have our two Apple TV units be able to play content from this library.
So, I know that we need something on the network. I have a Drobo with DroboShare, so that is one option. I also have a spare Mac Pro laying around, along with a copy of OS X Leopard Server.
I just don't know what route we should take with this. All I want is for us to share a library, to be able to both use that library, for us to be able to sync content from that library to our portable devices, and for our Apple TVs to also see that library.
Possible?!
My wife hates that, in order to see or do anything with the images she takes, I need to have iPhoto open on my computer (Mac Pro), and she then has to connect to it over sharing.
By the same token, I don't like that she buys iTunes content on her MacBook, which is sometimes a duplicate of content I already have. Now that the App Store is out, that is going to start getting really expensive.
So instead, I want us to be able to:
1) Have ONE iTunes library on the network, and ONE iPhoto library. Both of these would be accessible to any computer on the network. When you launch iTunes, you would get all the media that is in that library.
2) Both be able to access iTunes at the same time to listen to / watch content.
3) Both be able to purchase iTunes content, and when it it purchased, it updates that single library. If I buy a song, the next time my wife fires up iTunes, that song is there for her to listen to.
4) Have our two Apple TV units be able to play content from this library.
So, I know that we need something on the network. I have a Drobo with DroboShare, so that is one option. I also have a spare Mac Pro laying around, along with a copy of OS X Leopard Server.
I just don't know what route we should take with this. All I want is for us to share a library, to be able to both use that library, for us to be able to sync content from that library to our portable devices, and for our Apple TVs to also see that library.
Possible?!
maybe i'm missing something, but i think you've got your solution?
the drobo and drobo share?
all photos and music go in it. keep your respective libraries for each app there...then access it?
i'll admit i don't know the ins and outs of the appletv, but it sounds like you are almost there.
i laughed at the 'mac pro laying around'. too bad you don't live near me so i could borrow b/c i desperately need another processing machine (but am saving for the funds
i'll keep my eye on this thread, but i won't be anything for at least 6 months.
other priorities cash wise. i did buy a nextar external enclosure with a 1 TB HD in it. it even came with an esata card which is neat. I'm using that to free up my 1 TB lacie so it is solely my itunes library and possibly aperture source.
cheers,
keebler
maybe i'm missing something, but i think you've got your solution?
the drobo and drobo share?
all photos and music go in it. keep your respective libraries for each app there...then access it?
i'll admit i don't know the ins and outs of the appletv, but it sounds like you are almost there.
i laughed at the 'mac pro laying around'. too bad you don't live near me so i could borrow b/c i desperately need another processing machine (but am saving for the funds
i'll keep my eye on this thread, but i won't be anything for at least 6 months.
other priorities cash wise. i did buy a nextar external enclosure with a 1 TB HD in it. it even came with an esata card which is neat. I'm using that to free up my 1 TB lacie so it is solely my itunes library and possibly aperture source.
cheers,
keebler
Well, I'm not sure if that is the solution, which is the reason for the question
For example, I know there are two parts to an iTunes library - the content in the library (music files, movies, app store apps), and then the database file. And I know that were the database file lies play a role in whether two people can use the same library or not (I think).
Like I said, I just want my wife and I to be able to access the same library, possibly at the same time, and for our purchases to end up in that library as well. And for Apple TV to "see" that library too.
pu the library file itself on the drobo, and put aliases where the library file goes on the computer. this will only allow itunes to open if the drobo is mounted.
i know next to nothing about drobo though, so i don't know it works if two machines try to access this at once...
if i were you, i'd set up the spare mac pro in a central location, with all camera/ipod docks/cables connected through it. do all of your importing directly there, and access the itunes library via shared library. use screen sharing if you need to buy itunes store content on it so you don't have to worry about moving anything around.
i know next to nothing about drobo though, so i don't know it works if two machines try to access this at once...
if i were you, i'd set up the spare mac pro in a central location, with all camera/ipod docks/cables connected through it. do all of your importing directly there, and access the itunes library via shared library. use screen sharing if you need to buy itunes store content on it so you don't have to worry about moving anything around.
I'm looking to upgrade my dns-323 to the qnap 409. Has anyone tried one? I haven't found a bad review yet and I get my raid 5. Plus an itunes server.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30324/75/
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30324/75/
Good thread - keep 'em coming.
At the moment, I'm swaying between DROBO or 1TB/2TB WD Mybook Studio (FW800). My heart says drobo, but my wallet says MyBook. I'll then need to look at backing those suckers up
Possibly slightly off-topic, but those looking at multiple macs/libraries could look at TuneRanger or PowerTunes.
http://www.acertant.com/web/tuneranger/
http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/powertunes/
By the way, I'm in no way affliated with either.
At the moment, I'm swaying between DROBO or 1TB/2TB WD Mybook Studio (FW800). My heart says drobo, but my wallet says MyBook. I'll then need to look at backing those suckers up
Possibly slightly off-topic, but those looking at multiple macs/libraries could look at TuneRanger or PowerTunes.
http://www.acertant.com/web/tuneranger/
http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/powertunes/
By the way, I'm in no way affliated with either.
Good thread - keep 'em coming.
At the moment, I'm swaying between DROBO or 1TB/2TB WD Mybook Studio (FW800). My heart says drobo, but my wallet says MyBook. I'll then need to look at backing those suckers up
Possibly slightly off-topic, but those looking at multiple macs/libraries could look at TuneRanger or PowerTunes.
http://www.acertant.com/web/tuneranger/
http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/powertunes/
By the way, I'm in no way affliated with either.
those links look really good.
P.S. buy a drobo... do it!
I am very happy with my setup. Drobo into a mac mini (no monitor, keyboard, etc) and the mini ethernet into the time capsule that serves the 3 aTVs.
I use screen sharing to service the iTunes on the mini and share the library with the other computers around the house.
The only problem I have, maybe someone has a solution, is that when something is added to the library on the mini you have to add it to all the other libraries manually as well because I have created new libraries on each computer from the Drobo. Is there a way to mirror the library to other computers so that they update as well when something is added?
You do know that you can have up to 5 computers access purchased songs, etc from iTunes?
I use screen sharing to service the iTunes on the mini and share the library with the other computers around the house.
The only problem I have, maybe someone has a solution, is that when something is added to the library on the mini you have to add it to all the other libraries manually as well because I have created new libraries on each computer from the Drobo. Is there a way to mirror the library to other computers so that they update as well when something is added?
You do know that you can have up to 5 computers access purchased songs, etc from iTunes?
look at steveedward's links a couple of posts up - sounds like it's the answer to your prays!
No.
I've also wondered why Apple hasn't made the Mac Mini into a home headless server. With the correct connections, you could stack HDs, say 2 x 3.5 inch HD high for each module. Each module could run a mirrored RAID setup. And then span across the modules. So a nice little stack could provide up to 1TB per module.
Seems like this would be a good idea.
sounds like a great idea but I wonder if there's a big enough market? I would by one in a heart beat - as I'm sure many people on these forums would - but do you think the average Mac user would? This home server could also act as a time machine server which would be sweet but then it's treading on TC's toes.
I've taken the plunge and ordered a Drobo with the FW800 connection. Plan is to put 4 * 1TB disks in there and leave it connected to my iMac which is on 24*7 anyway.
I think that's the best solution for me, but please let me know if I've missed anything obvious!
1. Some resilience due to the RAID5-like structure of the disks.
2. Room to grow as disks can be replaced.
3. No problem synching iPods, iPhones etc as the library will still be "local" to the iMac.
4. No problem with ATV connecting to it.
5. Big enough storage capacity to start ripping all my DVDs and TV shows to it.
6. FW800 connection should be fast enough for streaming.
The only downside I can see is that I then have to buy some device which will have enough capacity to back up the 3TB so of potential data.
I think that's the best solution for me, but please let me know if I've missed anything obvious!
1. Some resilience due to the RAID5-like structure of the disks.
2. Room to grow as disks can be replaced.
3. No problem synching iPods, iPhones etc as the library will still be "local" to the iMac.
4. No problem with ATV connecting to it.
5. Big enough storage capacity to start ripping all my DVDs and TV shows to it.
6. FW800 connection should be fast enough for streaming.
The only downside I can see is that I then have to buy some device which will have enough capacity to back up the 3TB so of potential data.
You would have to go with a semi-mirror setup to do that. Or, in your case of a RAID5, buy a spare 1TB drive and keep it handy in case a drive in the drobo fails, so you can replace it immediately.
I have all my music stored on my linux server (up to 45gigs of music). In iTunes I just add the music with the 'copy' setting turned off so iTunes adds the links to the songs to the database but the files are still stored in a central location. This has worked out pretty well so far, I have had it this way for a few years. Songs are in mp3 format.
I don't have a problem with buying another 1TB disk to have on standby, but can I rely on a RAID5 setup as a resilient and safe backup solution for the data stored on it? With your audio and video files, you're not worried about having access to historic data, but if things went wrong and you lose two discs at once, you're up the creek aren't you?
Holy sh*t! You're already needing a SECOND drobo!
Lol! I like the way you think!