Home NAS server – Introduction
Home NAS server with Linux – A centralized file server called network attached storage (NAS) enables numerous users to store and exchange data across a TCP/IP network using either WiFi or an Ethernet connection. It is also frequently referred to as a NAS head, NAS box, NAS unit, or NAS server. Hard discs, network protocols, and a lightweight operating system (OS) are just a few of the essential parts that these devices need to function.
Hard drives, often known as hard disc drives (HDDs), offer a NAS unit storage capacity as well as a simple means of scaling. The term “scale-out” NAS refers to a NAS that can be expanded as more data storage is required by adding more hard discs to accommodate the system’s demand. Modern systems make use of flash storage either alone or in conjunction with HDDs. The type of HDD utilized is often determined by the NAS device’s use case. For instance, larger media items, like streaming video, demand more resources to share throughout an organization than a file system for one person at home.
Advantages of NAS server
Following are the advantages of the NAS server.
- Data Storage and Centralization
A NAS server allows you to store and centralize your data in a dedicated location, making it easily accessible to all devices on your home network. Linux provides robust file system support and advanced storage management features, ensuring efficient data organization and protection.
- Data Backup and Redundancy
With a Linux-based NAS server, you can implement various backup strategies to protect your data. Linux offers a wide range of backup tools and utilities, allowing you to create automated backup schedules, implement versioning, and set up offsite replication or cloud backups.
- Customization and Flexibility
Linux provides extensive customization options, allowing you to tailor your NAS server to your specific needs. You can choose from a wide range of Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, Debian, or CentOS, each offering different features and capabilities. You have full control over the software stack, enabling you to install additional services, and applications, or even build custom solutions.
- Data Security and Privacy
Linux is well-known for its strong security features. By using a Linux-based NAS server, you can take advantage of the robust security mechanisms, access controls, and encryption options available in Linux distributions. This ensures that your data remains secure and protected from unauthorized access.
- Performance and Scalability
Linux is highly efficient and lightweight, making it an excellent choice for NAS servers. It provides excellent performance, allowing for fast data transfers and efficient utilization of system resources. Additionally, Linux supports a wide range of hardware configurations, enabling you to scale your NAS server as your storage needs grow.
- Cost-Effectiveness
Building a home NAS server with Linux can be cost-effective compared to purchasing pre-built NAS solutions. Linux is an open-source operating system, meaning there are no licensing fees. You can repurpose old hardware or build a NAS server using affordable off-the-shelf components, reducing the overall cost of the system.
- Community and Support
Linux has a vast and active community of users and developers. If you encounter any issues or have questions regarding your NAS server, you can rely on the community for guidance and support. There are numerous online forums, documentation, and resources available to help you troubleshoot and optimize your Linux-based NAS server.
Requirements for NES Server Installation
Hardware requirements
A NAS box may often be constructed using inexpensive hardware parts. You may purchase a ready-made, low-power ARM box like Kobol or recycle an old PC for the purpose.
If you have an idea where to start, here is a list of the very minimum hardware requirements for a NAS hosting 1-4 people.
- Single-core CPU, >=2.0GHz clock rate
- Minimum 2GBs of RAM
- An SSD or flash drive with at least 8GB of storage space to execute the operating system.
- Wired, stable connection
- A few large-capacity hard discs configured in RAID for the actual data storage.
- To make a bootable Linux storage device, use a small flash drive.
Although an SSD may be used in place of a flash drive to run the OS, you should. Flash storage media, like SD cards and flash drives, gradually degrade with use, resulting in modest data loss that can occasionally cause odd errors, especially after an OS upgrade (which generates a significant amount of disc input/output).
Software requirements
In terms of the software needed for a NAS (Network Attached Storage) server, you must consider the operating system and the NAS-specific storage management software.
You’ll need to choose a Linux distribution or a specialized NAS operating system for your NAS server. Some popular options include Debian and Ubuntu. OpenMediaVault, FreeNAS, Arch Linux, Kubuntu.
We will use Ubuntu.
Reconnect the hard disks, turn off the computer after installing Ubuntu, and then turn it back on. When the login screen displays, enter your Username and Password to go to the next section.
Network configuration and static IP
Let’s make sure that our machine is updated with the most recent software before configuring anything by executing
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
The NAS machine must first have a static IP address assigned to it so that it may be accessed from other computers on the network and, eventually, from the internet.
The DHCP server can be used to set a static LAN-only IP address (often by making changes to your router’s settings). The DHCP server will automatically assign your IP address based on the MAC address.
If you wish to keep all setup information on the NAS box or don’t have access to the DHCP server edit /etc/network/interfaces by running.
sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces
Install RAID
A storage virtualization technique called RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Discs) integrates many physical disc drive components into logical units.
To maximize its use, a NAS should have many hard drives set up in a RAID array. However, it doesn’t follow that you must have several hard drives. If your NAS device just has one HDD, skip this section.
Data protection from physical faults like sector read errors or disc failures is one of RAID’s main benefits.
Run the following command to install mdadm if you choose to utilize RAID.
sudo apt-get –no-install-recommends install mdadm
We used the –no-install-recommends option to prevent installing mail-transport-agent and default-mta, which set up a new mail agent we don’t need.
Mount the hard drive (optional)
If RAID is not configured or if there is just one hard disc, it must be mounted to the system.
Run the instructions below if you only have one disc drive and want it to be accessible at /mnt/hdd1.
sudo mkdir /mnt/hdd1
sudo chown -hR $(whoami):$(whoami) /mnt/hdd1
For our disc drive to be recognized the next time we restart, we must update the /etc/fstab file and include the new path.
Use the command bellowed while noting the ID of the disc drive you want to have automatic mounting enabled.
sudo blkid
Has the proper disc ID we now edit /etc/fstab
udo nano /etc/fstab
The system will then know what to mount and where to locate it when we add a new line to the end of /etc/fstab.
UUID=”ID From blkid” /mnt/hdd1 ext4 rw,user,auto 0 0
Install NFS Share and NFS Server
The NAS box’s files would be accessible to you via the Samba or NFS protocols.
You can share directories and files with other Linux clients using the network file sharing (NFS) protocol. Shared folders are often created on a file server that has an NFS server component installed. An NFS file sharing can be accessed by a user much like locally created folders once it has been mounted on a client computer.
For Ubuntu, enter the following command to install the NFS server:
sudo apt install nfs-kernel-server
We’ll now create the export folder, which is the root directory for NFS shares. For that, you must modify /etc/exports.
sudo nano /etc/exports
We must add the following line at the end of /etc/exports since we will be sharing the entire mounted disc at /mnt/hdd1.
/mnt/hdd1 192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0(rw,sync,root_squash,subtree_check)
The exportfs command may now be used to make the shared directory accessible to clients. The adjustments must then be applied by restarting the NFS service.
sudo exportfs
sudo systemctl nfs-kernel-server restart
Set up Samba Shares
You can share files using Samba and the SMB network protocol. This basically involves integrating with a Microsoft Windows Server domain and providing file and print capabilities for numerous Microsoft Windows clients.
Samba and smbfs must first be installed by running.
sudo apt-get install samba smbfs
After installation is complete, modify /etc/samba/smb.conf to add share folder settings. In this illustration, /mnt/hdd1 is shared with read and write access.
# NAS share directory
[NASShare]
comment = anything_will_do
path = /mnt/hdd1
read-only = no
guest ok = yes
Finally, for the modifications to take effect, restart Samba services.
sudo systemctl restart smbd
That’s it; using your NAS’s IP address, you can now access it from both Linux and Windows.
Final Thoughts
When using Home NAS server with Linux, businesses must make careful to keep those servers current. Firmware upgrades from NAS vendors are routinely released, enhancing security and fixing issues that have been reported. Even for individual disks, several hard disk manufacturers give firmware updates. It’s crucial to keep your appliances current in any circumstance. The same holds for any third-party clients used to control NAS appliances.
You can learn about linux more deeply by clicking the link below
https://linuxiron.com/what-is-linux-a-whole-introduction/
Learn about the linux commands by clicking the links below
https://linuxiron.com/echo-command-in-linux/
https://linuxiron.com/how-to-use-nice-renice-commands-in-linux/
https://linuxiron.com/how-to-use-kill-commands-in-linux/
https://linuxiron.com/a-beginners-guide-to-htop-for-process-management/
https://linuxiron.com/15-useful-yum-commands-in-linux/
https://linuxiron.com/how-to-use-the-top-command-in-linux/
https://linuxiron.com/17-ps-command-to-monitor-linux-process-with-examples-linuxiron/
https://linuxiron.com/12-cat-commands-in-linux-with-examples/
https://linuxiron.com/archiving-and-compressing-files-and-directories-in-linux/