ultra simple NAS build

[Enquiries]

I started with a 2 bay Synology (DS218?) NAS, but felt out of control and insecure. I tried an Pine64 RockPro64 based NAS which works, but as a software engineer, I shouldn't touch a screwdriver. Now thinking of Beelink MINI-S13 Mini PC + ORICO 2 Bay USB 3.0 to SATA 3.5 inch External Hard Drive Enclosure + Open Source software. No screwdriver, but plenty of fun setting up software. Is this a silly idea? Any better ideas?

[ed]

Your idea isn't silly at all—it's actually a great solution for someone who wants a simple, low-maintenance NAS without the complexity of hardware assembly. The Beelink MINI-S13 combined with an ORICO 2 Bay USB enclosure and open-source software can work really well, especially considering you prefer not to deal with hardware.

Here's why this setup can work:
Beelink MINI-S13:

This mini PC is small, energy-efficient, and capable of running a variety of open-source NAS operating systems like TrueNAS, OpenMediaVault, or Unraid.

It can handle basic file sharing, backups, and media streaming for a home environment, and the compact form factor is ideal for someone who doesn't want a large, noisy server.

ORICO 2 Bay USB 3.0 to SATA Enclosure:

This enclosure is perfect for connecting two 3.5-inch HDDs via USB. It’s plug-and-play, meaning no need to worry about SATA or RAID configurations unless you choose to go that route.

Using an enclosure like this keeps things neat and simple, without requiring any custom setups or screwdrivers. You can easily swap drives if needed.

Open Source Software:

TrueNAS, OpenMediaVault, and Unraid are all excellent options for a software-based NAS. They allow you to control storage, backups, and remote access with minimal hassle.

If you're looking for simplicity, OpenMediaVault is especially user-friendly and doesn’t require much technical knowledge to set up.

Considerations:
Performance: If you're planning to stream media or run multiple services on the NAS, make sure the Beelink MINI-S13 has adequate CPU and RAM for your needs. If you're only using it for file storage and light streaming, this setup will work well.

USB vs SATA: Using a USB-based external enclosure means the performance is limited by the USB connection, so for large file transfers or 4K streaming, the performance might not be as fast as a full-fledged NAS with native SATA connections. However, for your 2TB of storage, it should be fine for general use.