NAS OS with low RAM

[An_ConCon]

So I'm building a NAS for the first time. I have an old core 2 Duo system that I got for free. I'm only really familiar with FreeNas, but it needs a massive 8GB RAM. I just want to use this for basic storange and as an intro to using a NAS. Does anyone have any advice as to another OS that is newbie friendly? I'm kinda leaning towards the Linux route at the moment. Thanks for any advice!

 

EDIT: Just wanna be clear, it will only be used for files, photos ect... Basically data from my pc and phone

[AlexOak]

https://www.openmediavault.org/

[WereCatf]

12 minutes ago, An_ConCon said:

I'm only really familiar with FreeNas, but it needs a massive 8GB RAM

It doesn't actually need that much. It's only if you use online-deduplication, as far as I understand. I'm not sure what the actual minimum would be, since I don't use FreeNAS, but it'd probably work fine with 2GB or more.

14 minutes ago, An_ConCon said:

Does anyone have any advice as to another OS that is newbie friendly?

FreeNAS is more-or-less the most newbie-friendly of them. Openmediavault is another option, but I found it quite shit, to be honest.

[Windows7ge]

How much RAM do you have to work with? 8GB is recommended for FreeNAS but you could still use it with as low as 1GB and it'd be fine.

 

If you're open to building your own OS from Linux I wrote a guide on how to do this using Debian:

 

[Bacon soup]

Debian net install CD will give you a super cut down, stable, and secure base for a file server. It's what I use. Use Arch linux or gentoo if you like a challenge and have some spare time.

[WereCatf]

3 minutes ago, Bacon soup said:

Debian net install CD will give you a super cut down, stable, and secure base for a file server. It's what I use. Use Arch linux or gentoo if you like a challenge and have some spare time.

The OP asked for user-friendly, though.

[Bacon soup]

1 minute ago, WereCatf said:

The OP asked for user-friendly, though.

the command line is super user friendly. It has auto complete, auto suggestion, and sudo to protect you from screwing up. All one has to do is follow a tutorial and copy commands.

[WereCatf]

2 minutes ago, Bacon soup said:

the command line is super user friendly

Now that's just a load of bullshit.

[Bacon soup]

1 minute ago, WereCatf said:

Now that's just a load of bullshit.

I was using the command line on DOS when I was 7 years old. A child can use the command line.

[WereCatf]

2 minutes ago, Bacon soup said:

I was using the command line on DOS when I was 7 years old.

No one gives a shit. Your navel is yours, it doesn't apply to everyone else. The vast majority of people don't consider a CLI user-friendly, or having to memorize textual commands and their syntax user-friendly. Mouse-driven interfaces with clear labels -- often accompanied with icons or animations -- are far more intuitive and don't require memorizing commands or any specific syntax for them.

[Bacon soup]

1 minute ago, WereCatf said:

No one gives a shit. Your navel is yours, it doesn't apply to everyone else. The vast majority of people don't consider a CLI user-friendly, or having to memorize textual commands and their syntax user-friendly. Mouse-driven interfaces with clear labels -- often accompanied with icons or animations -- are far more intuitive and don't require memorizing commands or any specific syntax for them.

following a tutorial does not require memorizing commands either.

[An_ConCon]

1 hour ago, Windows7ge said:

How much RAM do you have to work with? 8GB is recommended for FreeNAS but you could still use it with as low as 1GB and it'd be fine.

 

If you're open to building your own OS from Linux I wrote a guide on how to do this using Debian:

 

That could actually be a really fun way to do it, might do it over christmas, thanks for the info!

 

[An_ConCon]

1 hour ago, Bacon soup said:

Debian net install CD will give you a super cut down, stable, and secure base for a file server. It's what I use. Use Arch linux or gentoo if you like a challenge and have some spare time.

I do actually have experience with programming to a degree, and as an extension have used command lines extensively, so I might actually look into this option, thanks!

[Windows7ge]

1 minute ago, An_ConCon said:

That could actually be a really fun way to do it, might do it over christmas, thanks for the info!

 

Yep . It's really not as intimidating as it may initially seem. If you prefer a GUI one can be installed easily.

[An_ConCon]

1 hour ago, WereCatf said:

It doesn't actually need that much. It's only if you use online-deduplication, as far as I understand. I'm not sure what the actual minimum would be, since I don't use FreeNAS, but it'd probably work fine with 2GB or more.

FreeNAS is more-or-less the most newbie-friendly of them. Openmediavault is another option, but I found it quite shit, to be honest.

Thats good to know, I know that it used to have much lower demands until recently. I was just worried it would be like windows 10, which just wont really function with that little ram. Thanks!