6 Client 5 User Setup
#1
I have been using XBMC since the early days on the original XBOX with help from the Splinter Cell mod.

Over the years i have used it in various different configurations such as the Apple TV, Mac, RPi, OpenELEC, Windows and Ubuntu.

Currently i have a pretty solid server and client setup that i would like to share for anyone thats interested.



Server

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Specs:
- Lian-Li A71F
- Intel i7 920 2.66GHz Quad Core
- ASUS P6T
- 16GB (4x 4GB 1333MHz DDR3)
- Nvidia GT610
- Corsair HX1000
- Corsair H60
- IBM M1115 SAS Controller (Flashed as LSI 9211-8i)
- Intel 530 120GB SSD
- 20TB Usable Space (2x 1TB, 1x 1.5TB, 1x 2TB, 5x 3TB Western Digital + 1x 3TB Seagate)

VMware's vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi - Free) with the following virtual machines:

unRAID by LimeTech
- Network Storage (SAMBA)

Ubuntu 12.04 Desktop
- XBMC 13
- MySQL (Database)
- Squid (Proxy)

unRAID hosts all of my files, XBMC scans into the MySQL database through the Squid proxy.

The Squid proxy isn't required but its helpful at speeding up the fetching of posters and other images.





Clients

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Lounge Room

Garage
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Bedroom 1
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Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

I have setup a shared database structure via MySQL for all clients and profiles.

Checkout my signature for more details.
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#2
Very nice setup sir. I especially like the converted garage. Was your server an old gaming PC? Some the components (the CPU and the PSU) look pretty high end for a server build.

Also,I'm curious about how you have your hard drives wired up.On your first picture of the server, it looks like you have 7 hard drives running on a single chain of SATA power connectors. Did that cable come with your HX1000, or was it a custom solution? I am looking for something similar that will let me connect 6 hard drives off one chain, so I don't have to use multiple cable adapters.
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#3
(2014-06-08, 09:58)two515ty Wrote: Very nice setup sir. I especially like the converted garage. Was your server an old gaming PC? Some the components (the CPU and the PSU) look pretty high end for a server build.

Also,I'm curious about how you have your hard drives wired up.On your first picture of the server, it looks like you have 7 hard drives running on a single chain of SATA power connectors. Did that cable come with your HX1000, or was it a custom solution? I am looking for something similar that will let me connect 6 hard drives off one chain, so I don't have to use multiple cable adapters.

Hey, yes it was my old gaming rig back when i had to run 2 high end gfx cards to power my 3 monitors. I got that i7 back when they first came out, in 2009 i think so its been going solid for 5 years.

The cable was a PCIe power cable that i presses SATA power connectors onto.

I have just fitted a HDD cage into 3 of the 5.25" bays so i can fit more hdd's, but i want to eventually purchase this.
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#4
Hey mate how you doing funny enough as soon as i saw the garage setup i knew you were an aussie not only because i have the exact same garage door but it's such an aussie thing to do turning the car garage into a Man Cave LOL

anyways cool setup I am always interested in peoples setups especially when i involves a Server i see from the picture you have wall mount two what look like switch and then did a cool way of hiding the cables with that white covering along the wall to the desktop i assume the other end heads toward the bedroom you post in the next photo's can you tell us a bit more about the setup like skin you use or a bit about the desktop or some more pictures of the HTPC's themselves even some photos of the setup in action

as for your server the unraid option seems quite popular it also seems that you have a bit of linux knowledge setting up ESXI and also ubuntu machine's i am the opposite apart from one Openelec Machine i am windows guy i am running a windows server with a Windows 8.1 Pro desktop and another Windows 8.1 Pro for my HTPC with xbmc of course it all works well i am constantly thinking i would like to setup some more linux based stuff but i just can't wrap my head around it all and don't really have much patience for it Smile
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#5
Hey,

The server is actually located under the stairs with a 24 port gigabit switch, HDHomeRun, Cisco 877 and Apple AirPort Extreme.

The case in that picture is however the same case, but i decided to pinch it as it had more hdd bays and have since purchased a Fractal R4 for my desktop.

The trunking on the wall actually connects HDMI, Ethernet, USB and Power to a KVM.

My keyboard and mouse can switch between my pc, terminal 1 and terminal 2.

The left monitor can also be switched separately to the keyboard and mouse.

This is so i can either use my computer with 3 screens, or work on 2 computers at the same time whilst still using mine with the dual monitors. All with the single keyboard and mouse.

This is my home workshop, i run my own it consulting business that specialises in small businesses based from home.

Here are some pics of the construction stage.

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#6
(2014-06-08, 09:58)two515ty Wrote: Very nice setup sir. I especially like the converted garage. Was your server an old gaming PC? Some the components (the CPU and the PSU) look pretty high end for a server build.

Also,I'm curious about how you have your hard drives wired up.On your first picture of the server, it looks like you have 7 hard drives running on a single chain of SATA power connectors. Did that cable come with your HX1000, or was it a custom solution? I am looking for something similar that will let me connect 6 hard drives off one chain, so I don't have to use multiple cable adapters.

I came across these pictures earlier. As you can see i labeled each cable and made sure i had the right voltages.

I suggest that no one attempts this as it can and will cause permanent damage to your computer if you don't know what your doing.

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#7
As you can see XBMC has been with me for a while. Since 2006 i think it was, maybe 07.

2008

XBMC on XBOX days - back when i still lived with my parents.

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2010

Zotac ZBOX openELEC - 3nd rental.

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2011

Apple TV - bought my first house.

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2012

Apple TV / ASRock 152B

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#8
Awesome set up sir! I'm interested in doing something similar so that guide is an excellent read as well. Curious about a few things...

1. Are all of your current client machines running the same OS?
2. Are you using MythTV with that HomeRun?
3. Do you run any emulators over the server?
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#9
(2014-06-11, 14:30)K3vdizzle Wrote: Awesome set up sir! I'm interested in doing something similar so that guide is an excellent read as well. Curious about a few things...

1. Are all of your current client machines running the same OS?
2. Are you using MythTV with that HomeRun?
3. Do you run any emulators over the server?

Yes all of my clients run Windows 7 Pro [64-bit], however since XBMC uses the same userdata folder i could run various different operating systems.

I do have a VM setup with MythTV for recording only. I don't use it very often as Australian TV is pretty average.

In the garage i run a SNES and N64 emulator with Retrolink USB controllers. I placed a USB hub on my coffee table to plug them in.

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#10
A Youtube video of your setup would be awesome. Also I would like more info on your VMware setup with unraid. Thanks for your time!
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