Storage-Only NAS

[panda8096]

Our Jellyfin server currently runs on a PC. We're running out of storage for both this and other things (photos, music, etc.) so we're looking at setting up a NAS. Ideally, I'd like to keep the server where it's at, move the files, and repoint the libraries to the NAS but I don't want to accidentally downgrade what we're running or make things any more complicated than they need to be.

1. Would this arrangement negatively impact streaming? I'm not opposed to finding a NAS I can keep connected to the PC. This route is appealing for capacity, RAID, and backing up photos from phones. I don't need it to be untethered from the PC if that impacts performance.
   
2. If I can keep the server on the PC, do the hardware specs in docs apply to NAS as well? 
   
3. If I need to move the server to the NAS itself, what's the best way to do so without having to redo my admin? I know I need to move entire library folders in order to keep my metadata intact, but I don't want to have to reset up all the users, remap my HDHR channels, resign into devices, etc.
   

[TheDreadPirate]

This might just be me, but I think the least painful way is to add more drives directly in the server chassis. Assuming you have space for them.

In general, if you can avoid it, you should NOT run Jellyfin directly on your typical NAS box from Synology or QNAP, etc. The hardware in them is generally pretty underpowered for Jellyfin's needs. You are restricted in what you can do on them. You HAVE to use their OS (Linux) and have to deal with all of the quirks of their way of doing things.

If adding more hard drives into the server chassis is not an option, my next choice would be a DAS. These connect via USB (usually type C). This way you can still have the benefits of having the drives external to the server, but you get to use your server's OS to manage them. Terramaster and QNAP both have several DAS models.

If you MUST have a NAS, you should continue to run Jellyfin, and your other apps, on the server. No, it doesn't make a difference in terms of Jellyfin performance. Just keep in mind that you must disable real time monitoring in your library settings since SMB and NFS don't support that.