CUSTOM HOME NAS

[NicksGezien]

Hey! I'm in the process of setting up my own home server. And I've managed to create a TrueNAS Core NAS, using SMB to access my files.

 

Now, I'd like to access these files from other networks as well. But what options do I have? It's okay if it involves some payment, if necessary. I'm technically inclined but not an expert. So, if there are free solutions that are a bit more complex, I'm open to trying them out.

 

I've heard about VPNs, but which ones would be suitable? And if I want to grant someone else access to this server, like my father, do I need to purchase a separate VPN for him as well? Or are there other options available?

I'm also open to stepping away from TrueNAS if necessary.

 

~Nick

[whispous]

58 minutes ago, NicksGezien said:

I'm also open to stepping away from TrueNAS if necessary.

 

 

~Nick

TrueNAS is great, but if you're not married to Core yet, it is slated to stop getting anything other and a few more "maintenance" updates, as they're moving to a new basis. You can use TrueNAS Scale (maybe someone else can confirm this?) instead to get onto their new Linux based version (Core is FreeBSD based.)

 

Regarding a VPN, this is something that, in this use case, you'd be hosting yourself - it's not the same use case as a purchasable one like NordVPN or other paid services.

[m9x3mos]

1 hour ago, NicksGezien said:

Hey! I'm in the process of setting up my own home server. And I've managed to create a TrueNAS Core NAS, using SMB to access my files.

 

Now, I'd like to access these files from other networks as well. But what options do I have? It's okay if it involves some payment, if necessary. I'm technically inclined but not an expert. So, if there are free solutions that are a bit more complex, I'm open to trying them out.

 

I've heard about VPNs, but which ones would be suitable? And if I want to grant someone else access to this server, like my father, do I need to purchase a separate VPN for him as well? Or are there other options available?

I'm also open to stepping away from TrueNAS if necessary.

 

~Nick

Like the other reply, I would suggest switching to scale over core. 

As for remote access, you can run a wireguard or openvpn server to connect back home to it. 

That can be hosted on truenas itself or if your router can act as a VPN server it can do it as well. 

Alternatively, you can look into something like tailscale as well. 

[NicksGezien]

Thank you all!

[LIGISTX]

Set up WireGuard so you can tunnel into your network from external subnets. Then you can use your SMB shares as if you were at home. Wireguard is free and pretty easy to set up.