guidance on home file serving

[Enquiries]

Former net marketing, mostly music recording related field with lots of large files, and training videos from a small home setup.
Currently using 10 year old Lenovo Windows server 2012 r2 with a couple of 4T drives, a 1T and a few repurposed drives of sound libraries.
Instead of updating the OS with windows, which might require hardware upgrades, either wanting another OS or purchase an NAS.
3 windows, 3 mac os, 2 android, 2 iOS .. just me, but might have several of these at the same time.

I also have a 2012 late Mac Mini with a 1T SSD that could possibly be repurposed as a server.
Thank you for guidance!
Stephen

[ed]

ks for reaching out! Your setup and requirements are definitely manageable with either a modern OS setup or a dedicated NAS, and each route has its pros and cons. Here’s a breakdown that should help you decide on the best option:

1. Repurpose the Mac Mini as a Server
Pros: You already own it, and it has a decent SSD. macOS has built-in file-sharing capabilities that work well across Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. You could install a lightweight, server-oriented OS like macOS Server (limited but still effective for small networks) or even Ubuntu Server with Samba for cross-platform compatibility.
Cons: Limited drive capacity and expandability. You’d probably need to use external drives, which could get messy over time. macOS updates could eventually limit app compatibility, and this solution might not handle the future growth you anticipate with large media files.
2. Dedicated NAS Solution
Pros: Modern NAS devices, especially Synology or QNAP, offer strong file-serving capabilities with lots of storage and expansion options. For example, a Synology DS923+ or QNAP TS-453E with 4-bay slots could give you a flexible 12TB setup (expandable) with RAID for redundancy. They also support cross-platform access, easy file sharing, and cloud sync options, which is great for managing large sound libraries and training videos.
Cons: Initial investment could be higher, especially if you need to add drives. But in the long run, NAS devices are easy to maintain and scale up, making it a good fit for home business use.
3. Upgrading Your Existing Windows Server
Pros: You’re already familiar with the setup, and a new OS might let you keep it going without too much reconfiguration. You could upgrade to Windows Server 2022, which has modern file-sharing capabilities and enhanced security. With the right hardware, it should handle your devices well.
Cons: Given the age of your server, you might face hardware limitations, requiring an upgrade anyway. This route could be pricier if you end up needing new drives, memory, or CPU upgrades.

If you’re leaning towards future-proofing and simplicity, I'd recommend going with a NAS solution. It offers expandability, ease of management, and long-term stability—ideal for your media-heavy workload. The Synology DS923+ or QNAP TS-453E would fit your needs well and make the transition straightforward.