What is a Media Server ? Is it necessary for us all to have or not ? Does configuring Media Server is Technically Tough or Easy ? There is some common question which many of us face if we plan to implement a media server. It is necessary to get answers for this first, before going in much technical detail. Media Server is a common platform where you can share your Multi-media files. Like music, videos, images, etc. Media Server expands the possibility of sharing content among different devices. With a help of a regular home router and internet connectivity it becomes easier to share multimedia among different devices like Smartphone, TV’s which support wifi, Laptops, Desktop systems, gaming console, etc. By this you can get an easy answer of all the above three questions. It simple words you can inside the range of server (whether wifi or plugged) can access this files. The admin who runs the server has full authority how to manage the content sharing. He/She can extend the capability by adding free internet support, or additional disk space to users, etc. The more you configure, the higher setup goes complicated. I am here to give you the easiest streaming solution. With the help of this you can share your content with anyone inside the range of server. You can allow any user to connect and add or modify the content. That depends on need and usage. For regular home users they just want to view movies across their home either on phone or tablet or on TV.
Gaming consoles like Xbox 360 or PS3 are media servers. They come with the possibilities of sharing digital content among the network. The configuration of the same is not too costly. But this does not mean that to create a media server it is compulsory to buy a Gaming Console. No. With your traditional PC or laptop you can create your own personal place where every member of your house or friends can view your movies, listen to music, etc. You can use devices like iPad, iPod, Tablets, Wifi Speakers, etc to sync and access the files directly on them. Apple products are much better in this case. Before going to a solution directly I will show how a media server works. What is its architecture. This will help you to finalize what are the products needed to have a media server. And a basic overview will give you the wireframe of entire network.
Media Server
Some devices are ready made media servers. They come with storage and wifi setup. You have to just enable them provide a LAN access and that’s all. But that setup is costly. If you have an overview about its functioning then it becomes much easier to manipulate the setup.
A basic diagram of media server is as follow
A Desktop System/Laptop Equipped with Media Server Software (Ex. Windows Media Server, VLC, Tversity, any LiveTV tool, etc.)
A Router/ Or Network Device which will act a bridge for all connection. I will not only connect the devices wherever support Cable Network (LAN ) or WiFi Mode (WLAN) but also act as bridge for connection of new devices. It can be a wifi router also with multiple ports.
All Devices which supports wifi/lan. It can be your TV which has wifi or LAN cable support. It can be your Smartphone. It can be any NAS device which can hold content. Any laptop or desktop which wants to access the files.
Diagram
This is just a basic overview to get you understand how this works. In layman words you need the above two parts to begin with your own media server.
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