Streaming media with FreeBSD

Here, I'll explain how to configure FreeBSD to share media content over the network using NFS, and how to configure Kodi to access it from your TV.

Server#

First define which folders will be accessible to whom. In /etc/exports{.verbatim}, I share /media to everyone on my network (192.168.1.**)

/media  -alldirs -maproot=root -network=192.168.1.0/24

Note the syntax is different from Linux !

Then simply activate NFS by adding in /etc/rc.conf{.verbatim} :

# NFS for Kodi
# Order is important : rpcbind first, then nfs and mountd
rpcbind_enable="YES"
nfs_server_enable="YES"
weak_mountd_authentication="yes"
mountd_enable="YES"
nfs_client_enable="YES"

NB: The Kodi wiki mentions lockd and statd but it is unnecessary.

Reboot or start the service (start rpcbind first, otherwise it will not work !)

$ service rpcbind start
$ service nfsd start

Check the export is working :

$ showmount -e
Exports list on localhost:
/media                             192.168.1.0

TV#

We will use the Kodi application. Add a new source by choosing NFS and entering by hand : (the folder is not found automatically)

nfs://192.168.1.XXX/media

where XXX is the end of the server IP. Profit !