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Mini PC + DAS as NAS (lemmy.ml)

submitted 11 months ago by monty33@lemmy.ml to c/homelab@selfhosted.forum

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I'm a bit stuck at the moment and hoping I can get some guidance. Right now I store my media and other files on a few external drives connected to one of my Proxmox nodes, and passed through to an OMV VM. I backup everything important off-site.

I'd like to separate my storage from my Proxmox nodes into a dedicated NAS and dip my toes into ZFS and also Proxmox high availability. I also want to roll open source software (probably TrueNAS) on the NAS, but I do not want to build an entire PC. The off-the-sheld Synologys and the like seem like overpriced hardware especially if I'd prefer an alternative software.

I am considering getting one of the used business PCs or other mini-pc and connecting a USB-C DAS up to it and installing TrueNAS on the mini-pc.

Is this a viable approach? Am I setting myself up for a system that I'll want to upgrade in a couple years?

Here is an article that describes a similar approach: https://www.androidauthority.com/cheap-diy-nas-server-3348392/

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[–] calamityjanitor@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Should work okay, especially if you're already happy with the existing external drive performance. In general they can be slower and more flaky though.

It sounds like you're buying everything new anyway, and DAS enclosures can cost the same as a whole PC case. Consider a more standard PC/server build if you want the option of upgrading cheaply in the future. Search NAS motherboard on aliexpress, they have stuff that is basically low powered mini PC but with a load of SATA ports that can fit in a normal PC case.

Totally fair to use what you already have or can get cheaply and easily.

[–] monty33@lemmy.ml 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Do you mean something like this? https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805947799076.html

With that motherboard, I think I'm only looking at a case, psu, memory, storage, and sata cables. Is that right?

[–] calamityjanitor@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Yeah exactly. It would be a whole PC build, which I know you mentioned not wanting to do, it can be its own project selecting parts and putting it together. Can chuck it in a Node 304, or Jonsbo N1.

Wolfgang has a youtube video of putting a build together around it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjDoQA4C22c

[–] monty33@lemmy.ml 3 points 11 months ago

Wow thanks so much, you've pushed me to build my own! Some deals coming up on Black Friday so I'll be ordering everything then. Thank you!!