A DLNA server will allow you to directly stream your media library over your local network, without dealing with HDMI cables, USB hard drives, etc. You can stream to your other computers, mobile devices, and some smart TVs. Here’s how to set it up, it takes about an hour.
Install Fedora Server, setup networking and Cockpit (webadmin)
Configure static LAN IP for server on home network router
Install required programs:
sudo dnf install nss-mdns avahi minidlna
Generate a keypair, then download and import Wireguard configuration files from your VPN provider.
sudo nmcli connection import type wireguard file us-phx.conf
nmcli --show-secrets --ask connection up us-phx
nmcli connection modify us-phx autoconnect yes
Diable ipv6 traffic, it is not supported by some vpn providers.
Setup Avahi / Bonjour for local mDNS discovery (hostname.local instead of 192.168.0.xx)
https://fedoramagazine.org/find-systems-easily-lan-mdns/
Add firewall exception for avahi and bonjour (5353)
Add firewall exception for DLNA
Log into the webUI at hostname.local:9090 and navigate to Network > Firewall. Add an exception for port 5353 (mDNS) and 1900 (DLNA) so your server will be visible and respond to incoming requests. Add another exception for wireguard, port 51820.
Navigate to Storage and configure your media library mount point (i.e. /media/movies)
Open /etc/minidlna.conf and set network_interface to your ethernet network interface (maybe eth0) and set media_dir to your media library.
Finally, run sudo service minidlna force-reload and sudo service minidlna restart to apply changes to minidlna.
To access your library, use a media player such as VLC and look under Local Network > UPnP.
May 21, 2025