Building a Home File Server with FreeNAS ( FreeBSD based NAS Server )

Posted on in Categories File system, FreeBSD, Hardware, Howto, Linux desktop, OS X, Storage, UNIX, Windows last updated January 18, 2008

FreeNAS is a free Network-attached storage (NAS) server. It supports following protocols:

=> CIFS (Samba) – Mac / UNIX / Windows can use CIFS to store files
=> FTP
=> NFS
=> Rsync
=> AFP

You can use local user authentication, and software RAID (0,1,5), with a web-based configuration interface.

I’ve installed it on USB pen which takes less than 32 MB. You can install software on hard disk or flash drive.

My Setup

  • Intel 1.7Ghz Celeron
  • 1GB SDRam
  • 3 x 80GB IDE Hard disk
  • 10/100/1000 Mbps Lan Card
  • Raid 5 with FreeNAS (Highest Read data transaction as I need to read lots of files such as MP3 / Photos and other data)
  • BIOS is configured to boot from USB pen and w/o monitor / keyboard
  • D-Link Gigabit Ethernet 8 Port Switche and Wireless AP router

Building a Home File Server with FreeNAS Software - FreeNAS WEB User Interface
(Fig. 01: FreeNAS Web User Interface Configuration Tool)

The software is easy to use and perfect for building a low cost home file server. I’m currently using this NAS as:
=> Home Music / Media Server
=> Home Backup Server
=> Home Ftp Server etc

Download FreeNAS server

=> Visit official site to grab latest software.

Posted by: Vivek Gite

The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. He has worked with global clients and in various industries, including IT, education, defense and space research, and the nonprofit sector. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+.

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