Build a NAS in a normal case - Advice

[RaptorRL18]

Hello, I’m a new member here!

I just watched the video (320 TERABYTES in a normal case!!!). Here is a Link: https://youtu.be/FAy9N1vX76o. I’m sure you guys already watched that before. So, This might be my next upgrade NAS.

However, I have a couple of questions about building a DIY NAS in a PC Case. I'm thinking to upgrade my NAS. My current NAS storage is nearly full.

• Let's say if I have 5 Hard drives already installed, can I add more HDD later?
• Can I access to my file outside of the network (for example I'm on vacation)? If so, how?
• What do you think should I build a NAS in a normal case like a video that I mentioned or just buy a NAS product like Synology or QNAS or other brands? Or what are your suggestions?

 

My NAS is Synology 218+ with 2 HDD disks. I make 4k videos a lot. All my video is stored on my NAS.

 

I would like to listen to your feedback or advice. That would be appreciated.

 

Thank you

[LIGISTX]

8 minutes ago, RaptorRL18 said:

Hello, I’m a new member here!

I just watched the video (320 TERABYTES in a normal case!!!). Here is a Link: https://youtu.be/FAy9N1vX76o. I’m sure you guys already watched that before. So, This might be my next upgrade NAS.

However, I have a couple of questions about building a DIY NAS in a PC Case. I'm thinking to upgrade my NAS. My current NAS storage is nearly full.

• Let's say if I have 5 Hard drives already installed, can I add more HDD later?
• Can I access to my file outside of the network (for example I'm on vacation)? If so, how?
• What do you think should I build a NAS in a normal case like a video that I mentioned or just buy a NAS product like Synology or QNAS or other brands? Or what are your suggestions?

 

My NAS is Synology 218+ with 2 HDD disks. I make 4k videos a lot. All my video is stored on my NAS.

 

I would like to listen to your feedback or advice. That would be appreciated.

 

Thank you

The answers are... yes but it depends. You can add drives later depending on the filesystem being used and what RAID type you pick. There are many options here, but unraid may be a good option for your use case.

 

To access files outside of your network, there are many ways to go about that as well. One option is nextcloud, another is set up a VPN connection and VPN in and then use normal network shares. You could also use SFTP. Lots of options, lots of learning to do :). Don't expect to just understand it all from the start and go down the correct road right off the bat; my homelab has changed many times to suit my needs, thats whats nice about this hobby - you are able to make it work FOR you as your needs change and evolve.

[Jarsky]

If you really want to build inside a "normal case" with I assume consumer hardware. Regardless, i'd recommend you use a dedicated storage controller, one of the LSI chipsets recommended in this forum. Either an HBA (for software storage solutions) or a RAID card (for hardware). 

 

19 hours ago, RaptorRL18 said:

• Let's say if I have 5 Hard drives already installed, can I add more HDD later?

If you want to be able to expand, this is a decision you need to make at the start, as this will decide what storage solution you use. 

The likes of UnRAID and hardware RAID can be easily expanded, while ZFS has far more caveats and MDADM is far more technically difficult. 

19 hours ago, RaptorRL18 said:

• Can I access to my file outside of the network (for example I'm on vacation)? If so, how?

Sure you can, a secure way to do this would be to use something like NextCloud which is what I use. 

It gives you a secure web portal you can log into and drag/drop files, create share links, etc... (you'd be best to setup a domain name for this, there are dynamic dns services you can use if you have an IP address that changes)

19 hours ago, RaptorRL18 said:

• What do you think should I build a NAS in a normal case like a video that I mentioned or just buy a NAS product like Synology or QNAS or other brands? Or what are your suggestions?

I've made suggestions in other threads in this sub forum with a number of suitable cases for different purposes. 

You need to consider what size you're after, and whats the maximum number of drives you think you may move to before migrating to larger capacity disks. 

 

I have a server in a Define R6 which takes 12 hdd's, the Define R7 XL can take 15 hdd's. There are other cases that can take more by using additional drive sleds and the right hardware because of the way some cases by the likes of Corsair can stack modular drive cages. Of course if you think you might only use 5-8 drives theres a lot more cases available and in smaller form factor builds that could be suitable. Or for more than 20 you may be better to look at some of the rackmount solutions available ( though this does get more expensive for new chassis).