NAS

[tS_kStin]

I have a secondary computer that I built partly from the "old" parts from my main and the plan was to host a CoD4 and Minecraft server for my friends but my internet upload is just a bit too slow and I can't get an upgrade for a while so I want to make it a NAS. What do I have to do so that it can function as one? I want a good amount of storage but it doesn't have to be crazy.

 

Spec list. http://pcpartpicker.com/user/tS_kStin/saved/1TWW

 

 

[WoodenMarker]

You just want to share files across the home network right?

[tS_kStin]

You just want to share files across the home network right?

Yeah

[WoodenMarker]

Go to network and sharing center. Change advanced sharing settings. Turn off password protected sharing unless you want to have to punch your password to access your files on your own network.

 

Go to the folder/drive you want to share. Right click and share with > Specific People. Change permissions to who you want to be able to read/change your files.

For drives, it's right click > share >advanced sharing > advanced sharing > permissions.

 

Your shared files will show up on your network under your system's name.

[LIGISTX]

Well, all you need is some harddrives, and a OS of your choosing. I use Openmediavault, it is basically freenas with plex built into it as far as I know. And so far I really like it. Just buy some harddrives (however much storage you want) and away you go. In Openmediavault you can set up software RAID as well, which works pretty well. I have no complaints with it.

 

I would say if you want decent data security and a lot of storage space, get 3 3 TB drives in RAID 5 and use either an old hhd or that SSD as the boot drive (needs an independent boot drive for openmediavault)

 

I am doing basically the same thing with 7 3 TB harddrives in software RAID 6 which is called RAID Z2, software RAID 5 is Z1

[LIGISTX]

Or for a simple file share solution, do what WoodenMarker just said. I have done that as well, works fine. Just isn't really a "NAS" in the true meaning of it.

[tS_kStin]

Go to network and sharing center. Change advanced sharing settings. Turn off password protected sharing unless you want to have to punch your password to access your files on your own network.

 

Go to the folder/drive you want to share. Right click and share with > Specific People. Change permissions to who you want to be able to read/change your files.

For drives, it's right click > share >advanced sharing > advanced sharing > permissions.

 

Your shared files will show up on your network under your system's name.

Thanks man, thats really all I need.

 

Well, all you need is some harddrives, and a OS of your choosing. I use Openmediavault, it is basically freenas with plex built into it as far as I know. And so far I really like it. Just buy some harddrives (however much storage you want) and away you go. In Openmediavault you can set up software RAID as well, which works pretty well. I have no complaints with it.

 

I would say if you want decent data security and a lot of storage space, get 3 3 TB drives in RAID 5 and use either an old hhd or that SSD as the boot drive (needs an independent boot drive for openmediavault)

 

I am doing basically the same thing with 7 3 TB harddrives in software RAID 6 which is called RAID Z2, software RAID 5 is Z1

Alright thanks! I knew I would need more HDDs, wasn't if there was much more or not.

[tS_kStin]

Well, all you need is some harddrives, and a OS of your choosing. I use Openmediavault, it is basically freenas with plex built into it as far as I know. And so far I really like it. Just buy some harddrives (however much storage you want) and away you go. In Openmediavault you can set up software RAID as well, which works pretty well. I have no complaints with it.

 

I would say if you want decent data security and a lot of storage space, get 3 3 TB drives in RAID 5 and use either an old hhd or that SSD as the boot drive (needs an independent boot drive for openmediavault)

 

I am doing basically the same thing with 7 3 TB harddrives in software RAID 6 which is called RAID Z2, software RAID 5 is Z1

What harddrives would you recommend that last a long time and have a very low fail rate.

[WoodenMarker]

What harddrives would you recommend that last a long time and have a very low fail rate.

WD Reds are made for NAS. 

Seagate barracudas are a cheaper option that has great performance and while less optimal for NAS, are still reliable drives. 

[LIGISTX]

If I could, I would get reds, but they are not cheap like Wooden said. Honestly, unless you plan on writing data to them often, any drives should be fine. And what I mean by write data often, like on the order of like a few hundred gigs a day. Assuming this isn't you use case, any drive should be fine. I would also recommend pulling the video card and any other add on things out of the computer so your electricity bill will not be hit too hard seeing as usually people leave their NAS on 24/7.

[tS_kStin]

If I could, I would get reds, but they are not cheap like Wooden said. Honestly, unless you plan on writing data to them often, any drives should be fine. And what I mean by write data often, like on the order of like a few hundred gigs a day. Assuming this isn't you use case, any drive should be fine. I would also recommend pulling the video card and any other add on things out of the computer so your electricity bill will not be hit too hard seeing as usually people leave their NAS on 24/7.

Ok so just a couple Barracudas would be fine then, and yes I will take out the graphics card.

[LIGISTX]

Yea. Thing is, if you want to go the freenas/openmediavault type way, I am not sure how easy or possible it is to add more drives to the RAID array in the future. So try and figure out how much storage space you need, and then build to that spec.

 

But yea, that should work out fine. I think in my NAS I have 7 Toshiba drives, but that is just because they were cheap at the time ;). Seagates will work out fine as well.

[tS_kStin]

Yea. Thing is, if you want to go the freenas/openmediavault type way, I am not sure how easy or possible it is to add more drives to the RAID array in the future. So try and figure out how much storage space you need, and then build to that spec.

 

But yea, that should work out fine. I think in my NAS I have 7 Toshiba drives, but that is just because they were cheap at the time ;). Seagates will work out fine as well.

Ok cool, I only have 2 more sata ports on the mobo to use being its itx and I dont need that much storage, its for for pics, music, vids ect. So its not that much but being its all on my main it takes up valuable space for programs, games and more important files that I need.