DIY Mega-NAS on the Cheapy Cheap

[Enquiries]

Currently running a Lenovo Windows Server 2012 R2, with dual internal RAID boot drives, an internal 8TB SATA Storage Space with 3 drives for media/PC backups, and two external eSATA JBOD enclosures with 4 and 3 drives respectively in a 14TB Storage Pool for overall backup. Primary use case is for Plex/Sonarr/Radarr and the like, as well as multi-PC backup. 2012 R2 is EOL, and I'm trying to figure out how to update the platform to something supported and secure. Do not need Windows Server, it's just what I had and what worked back in the day (Essentials role). I've looked at TrueNAS, UnRAID, Docker, Jonsbo, UGreen, Synology, and I think I can convert the Storage Pools and install something on the server to get what I need, but I've been out of the game too long to know the best path forward. I used to be a UNIX systems admin back when it was still called that, and I've played with RPi, but Linux frustrates me compared to Windows. I would really appreciate your thoughts.

[ed]

Hi there,

It sounds like you've got quite a setup already, and I understand the need to move on from Windows Server 2012 R2 to something more up-to-date and secure. Given your background and needs, there are a few great paths you can take that will give you a stable, secure, and feature-rich NAS solution without spending a lot of money. Here’s a breakdown of your options:

1. TrueNAS
Pros: TrueNAS is a powerful and free NAS operating system that’s based on FreeBSD. It's great for someone with UNIX experience and is robust for managing large storage pools. TrueNAS supports ZFS, which is excellent for data integrity, snapshots, and storage efficiency.
Cons: TrueNAS can be a bit complex to set up and manage, especially if you’re looking for a more Windows-like experience. However, it has a strong community and plenty of resources to help you through the setup.
2. UnRAID
Pros: UnRAID is user-friendly and highly flexible. It uses a unique method of drive pooling that allows for easy expansion and replacement of drives. UnRAID also has a great ecosystem for Docker containers and VM support, which is ideal for running Plex, Sonarr, Radarr, etc. You can set it up without losing existing data on the drives, which makes it easy to transition from your current setup.
Cons: UnRAID isn't free (though not expensive), but the cost is reasonable given the features and ease of use it provides. The license is a one-time purchase based on the number of attached drives.
3. Synology NAS
Pros: Synology offers some of the best software for NAS in terms of ease of use and features. The DSM operating system is very user-friendly, similar to a Windows environment, and comes with built-in apps for media servers, backups, and more. It’s a more plug-and-play solution if you prefer less hands-on maintenance.
Cons: You would need to invest in Synology hardware, which may not be as cheap as other options. However, if you're looking for a hassle-free and reliable solution, this is worth considering.
4. DIY Linux NAS with Docker
Pros: Using a Linux distro like Ubuntu Server or even something like OpenMediaVault (which is Debian-based) gives you flexibility and control. With Docker, you can easily run Plex, Sonarr, Radarr, and other services in isolated environments. Linux offers a variety of tools and flexibility for setting up RAID, monitoring, and network configurations.
Cons: Since Linux can be frustrating compared to Windows, this might not be the most appealing option. However, once set up, it can be very stable and secure. If you’re comfortable with some command-line work, this could be a good fit.
Recommendation
Based on your requirements and experience, I’d recommend UnRAID as a balanced choice. It provides an easy transition from Windows, is simple to manage, supports a wide array of plugins and Docker containers, and handles drive pooling and expansion very well. It offers a GUI that is intuitive and makes management straightforward, plus it works well for both media serving and backups.

If you’re willing to dive back into a UNIX-like system, TrueNAS is another excellent option, particularly if you want strong data integrity features with ZFS. It might have a steeper learning curve, but it’s powerful and reliable.

Synology is a great all-in-one solution if you're willing to invest in new hardware and want the best user experience with minimal configuration.

[allenlook]

Hi there,

It sounds like you've got quite a setup already, and I understand the need to move on from Windows Server 2012 R2 to something more up-to-date and secure. Given your background and needs, there are a few great paths you can take that will give you a stable, secure, and feature-rich NAS solution without spending a lot of money. Here’s a breakdown of your options:

1. TrueNAS
Pros: TrueNAS is a powerful and free NAS operating system that’s based on FreeBSD. It's great for someone with UNIX experience and is robust for managing large storage pools. TrueNAS supports ZFS, which is excellent for data integrity, snapshots, and storage efficiency.
Cons: TrueNAS can be a bit complex to set up and manage, especially if you’re looking for a more Windows-like experience. However, it has a strong community and plenty of resources to help you through the setup.
2. UnRAID
Pros: UnRAID is user-friendly and highly flexible. It uses a unique method of drive pooling that allows for easy expansion and replacement of drives. UnRAID also has a great ecosystem for Docker containers and VM support, which is ideal for running Plex, Sonarr, Radarr, etc. You can set it up without losing existing data on the drives, which makes it easy to transition from your current setup.
Cons: UnRAID isn't free (though not expensive), but the cost is reasonable given the features and ease of use it provides. The license is a one-time purchase based on the number of attached drives.
3. Synology NAS
Pros: Synology offers some of the best software for NAS in terms of ease of use and features. The DSM operating system is very user-friendly, similar to a Windows environment, and comes with built-in apps for media servers, backups, and more. It’s a more plug-and-play solution if you prefer less hands-on maintenance.
Cons: You would need to invest in Synology hardware, which may not be as cheap as other options. However, if you're looking for a hassle-free and reliable solution, this is worth considering.
4. DIY Linux NAS with Docker
Pros: Using a Linux distro like Ubuntu Server or even something like OpenMediaVault (which is Debian-based) gives you flexibility and control. With Docker, you can easily run Plex, Sonarr, Radarr, and other services in isolated environments. Linux offers a variety of tools and flexibility for setting up RAID, monitoring, and network configurations.
Cons: Since Linux can be frustrating compared to Windows, this might not be the most appealing option. However, once set up, it can be very stable and secure. If you’re comfortable with some command-line work, this could be a good fit.
Recommendation
Based on your requirements and experience, I’d recommend UnRAID as a balanced choice. It provides an easy transition from Windows, is simple to manage, supports a wide array of plugins and Docker containers, and handles drive pooling and expansion very well. It offers a GUI that is intuitive and makes management straightforward, plus it works well for both media serving and backups.

If you’re willing to dive back into a UNIX-like system, TrueNAS is another excellent option, particularly if you want strong data integrity features with ZFS. It might have a steeper learning curve, but it’s powerful and reliable.

Synology is a great all-in-one solution if you're willing to invest in new hardware and want the best user experience with minimal configuration.

Thank you for the response, I've kept researching and found I have a decision to make based on some of my HD collection (12TB) being based on SMR technology, unbeknownst to me (WD Reds).  If I want to use TrueNAS I'll have to buy 12TB of capacity in non-SMR, or I'll have to pay for UnRAID and go that way.

It's always something...  I'll go get you that coffee now.