NAS Indexing Program

[DVDR_Dog]

Now that I have a bit of downtime, I'd like to get some better order into my NAS. It's a WD pr4100 so the Synology suite is unavailable unless I am missing something.
Plex might be OK for media, but doesn't help me with a mix for files of all types. I would rather not go for one of those perpetual subscription packages, they make no sense. Free is always great no matter how you obtain it.
Any member have some experience or suggestions? I have tried a couple of things in the past, but to be honest I don't remember and I may have not configured them correctly.
A NAS is an awesome backbone not only for media distribution across multiple audio/video players, but the double as a great safe RAID enhanced archive for stuff you want to access but keep safe. Any suggestions welcome.

 

[Hotrod369]

This was the ChatGPT 4o response to your question.

Hi DVDR_Dog,

It sounds like you're looking for a versatile solution to better manage and organize your files on your WD PR4100 NAS. Since the Synology suite isn’t compatible with your device, here are some alternatives you might find useful:

1. Free and Open-Source Options

• []Nextcloud or OwnCloud: These are excellent for organizing files, collaborating, and accessing data remotely. They work similarly to Google Drive but are hosted on your NAS. You may need to set up a Docker container or manually configure the software on your WD PR4100.[]FileRun: A user-friendly file manager with features like metadata tagging, previews, and integration with external apps like Google Docs.
• OpenMediaVault: While not specifically designed for WD hardware, if you’re willing to explore advanced setups (possibly running it in a container), it can provide excellent file management capabilities.

2. Media Management

• If you're using Plex for media, it’s great for streaming, but it doesn’t handle non-media files well. Alternatives like Emby or Jellyfin (open-source) can offer similar features without requiring a subscription.

3. File Organization

• []TagSpaces: A cross-platform, file-centric solution that helps with tagging, organizing, and managing files.[]DocFetcher: A free desktop search application that can index your files for quick retrieval.

4. Backup and Sync

• []FreeFileSync: Great for setting up sync tasks between your NAS and other devices.[]Rclone: A powerful command-line tool to manage files across local storage and cloud storage. While it’s advanced, it can be incredibly flexible for syncing and managing files.

5. WD-Specific Options

• WD My Cloud Apps: While not as feature-rich as Synology, WD offers its own suite of apps like WD Sync, WD Access, and My Cloud OS. These are basic but might be worth revisiting if you haven’t configured them fully before.

6. General Advice

• []RAID Setup: It’s great that you’re using your NAS as a RAID-enhanced archive. Make sure you’re familiar with the RAID level you’re using (e.g., RAID 5 or RAID 10) to balance performance, redundancy, and usable space.[]Backups: Remember, RAID is not a backup. You might want to set up an off-site backup solution for critical data.

Getting Started:

1. []Assess Your Needs: Are you more focused on remote access, collaboration, or simply organizing files locally? This will guide your choice of tools.[]Explore Docker: If your PR4100 supports Docker, this opens up a world of possibilities for running many of these tools.
2. Community Support: Check out forums and guides specific to the PR4100 for compatibility tips and configuration help.

If you’d like, I can help with the specifics of installing or configuring any of these tools on your WD PR4100.

Best of luck!

 

[DVDR_Dog]

Thanks! I'd rather stay away from the docker platforms, that opens a new can of worms, but they are versatile as all get out. I'll check out your suggestions.
I am starting to think I really need to virtually segregate media files (subs for audio and video), data, and programs. I really like the idea of having a complete and updated catalog of current programs I need and use. That allow me to wipe any of my systems out and start fresh rather than relying on a backup and even change roles of a system quickly.

 

[Hotrod369]

QNAP makes NAS models that work well with Plex and can be used as a normal storage NAS at the same time. I've had one on my wishlist for a good while now but I just haven't been able to pull the trigger on making the purchase. I will have to use some of my Kaspa crypto and I'm kind of a tight wad. LoL