Ilya 14491

Network data storage is a system for storing large volumes of information with independent software, storage media (drives) and communication means, designed as a separate block. Network storage is an element of a local network at home or office, designed for constant access to confidential (personal or business) information.

The software is used to organize the recording, storage and distribution of information. The program includes the following programs:
internal operating system (GAS, NAS);
data protection (antivirus);
data exchange (protocols such as Fiber Channel and/or encryption);
organizing RAID arrays to increase system reliability;
other service programs.

Storage devices are large-capacity hard drives (drives) (3…5 pcs.), placed in one block. The storage operating system does not allow creating logical disks, i.e. The system installed on one of the hard drives turns off this drive from the list of storage drives. The solution to the problem is to use a bootable flash card or another solid-state drive (SSD-class drives).

Communication means determine the way the storage communicates with the user. Communication options:
Wired - LAN (WAN) connection via TCP/IP protocol. File requests are processed by the internal processor to the NAS command level. Allows a distance of up to 10 km from the user.
Wireless network storage WiFi is built using standard technologies, but is limited by the power of transceiver devices and is overloaded with information security measures during transmission.

The scope of application is practically unlimited - from storing multimedia files to collecting information from controllers of continuous process devices or images from CCTV cameras. The important thing is that information enters the storage without going through user processors. This is achieved by processing it by an internal processor.

Device selection

Like all computer equipment, this sector of the market does not stand still. Offers and opportunities will drive any inexperienced user crazy. First of all you need:
1. Determine the need for such a device, based on the assigned tasks or needs;
2. Determine the required device options based on the number and characteristics of connected users;
3.Set the technical architecture of the system (number and volume of disks, depending on the type of information and its significance);
4.Set a price range;
5. Provide for the possibility of expanding the system or upgrading it.

Undoubtedly, network storage (in the basic configuration: disk drive, 2..3 USB ports, network port) is a serious and prestigious thing. But a simple example shows how the price changes depending on the options, all other things being equal, in the lowest price range. WD My Book Live 2 TB (NAS): type - external hard drive 2 TB; interface - Ethernet, DLNA; price - 5950 rub. Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 2 TB (NAS): type - network storage; interface -Ethernet, DLNA, print server, USB; price 8490 rub. Adding two options increases the cost by 30%, and this is a reason for analysis.

Advantages and alternative

Network-attached storage has a number of advantages. The most important of them is unloading the hardware capacity of the user's computer from routine operations: reading and writing large amounts of information, managing the progress and monitoring of network operations on the Internet or local networks, recording and playing multimedia information.

The development of high-speed data transmission systems over Internet networks and the creation of high-capacity information storage systems has led to the emergence of specialized storage facilities - file hosting. On a paid basis, they provide services for secure storage of information, services for structuring and retrieving information. Individual hosting companies act as intermediaries in the sale/purchase of information belonging to the user, if there is demand. Hosting can be used to store information that is not vital or to drown the most important information in a sea of ​​data, leaving the key for yourself.

Of course, both directions will receive further development, each in its own market segment.

tell friends

The amount of information stored on our computers is increasing every day. Thousands of photographs, music recordings, hundreds of films and TV series - all this is destroying free space on the hard drives of our computers at an insane speed. Buying and installing another HDD is not always the right solution, because there may simply not be enough space in the PC case, especially if you have a laptop. Using external hard drives is often inconvenient to use – take it out, connect it, etc. We would like to access the photo or music composition we need without fiddling with wires, or simultaneously from different devices on your network. And in such a situation, network data storages can come to the rescue.

Storage units without storage media included are suitable for home use, especially if you have already purchased disks.

When used in small offices, pay attention to more reliable and functional network storage. As a rule, such NAS are supplied without storage media and are equipped with two network interfaces and more powerful hardware to cope with high loads.

Definition of characteristics
The main aspect of choosing a NAS is the total volume, which is based on the capacity of the drives and their number. To determine the volume, you need to consider:

1. An array of information for transfer to network storage, information on all devices on your network;
   
2. The approximate volume you will record over the next couple of years.
   

By adding these two values ​​(and adding 25% reserve) you will find out the approximate capacity of network storage drives. The minimum size is 2 TB, suitable only for storing photos, music and documents. But this volume is no longer enough to provide backup, especially if there is more than one computer on the network.

The optimal solution for home use is network storage with a capacity of 4 – 6 TB. This is guaranteed to be enough for both backup from 2-3 computers and for storing multimedia files.

Are you a professional photographer or just a keen amateur? Then you definitely cannot do without network storage for storing your work and for backing up the material you have just shot and not yet processed. Believe me, cases of losing photos due to hard drive failure are not uncommon, and the lack of a backup copy will put an end to the entire work of the photographer’s team. So network storage with a capacity of 6-8 TB is an excellent solution for storage and backup.

The number of installed drives affects not only the maximum amount of network storage, but also the ability to create RAID arrays to provide increased performance or fault tolerance. For example, support for RAID 1 (mirrored) or RAID 5 will help protect against data loss. In the first case, the network storage requires at least two hard drives (the volume of the disk system available to the user will be equal to the volume of one disk), and in the second case, at least three disks (also, part of the disk space will be allocated for service needs). This configuration allows you to save information if one of the disks fails.

Software features
Owners of smart TVs will find the UPnP/DLNA server function useful for viewing media content without the need to save it on the device.

Network-attached storage can be used not only as a large hard drive connected to the network. Some devices allow you to install additional applications, such as a torrent tracker, various download managers, dropbox, etc. This will greatly expand the capabilities of your NAS.

Another interesting feature of network storage is support for IP video surveillance for organizing a video archive and will eliminate the need to purchase a separate DVR.

Results

Choosing a network storage can be reduced to a few simple steps:

1. Do I need a storage device included in the kit? If so, is one  sufficient, or are two or more  needed to provide greater capacity or increased fault tolerance?
   
2. Determine the amount of disk space you need
   
3. Determine what additional functions and tasks the network storage will perform and make sure that they are available in the selected samples.
   

NAS – what is it and why do I need it at home?

It is impossible to imagine the modern world without the colossal volumes of all kinds of information growing every second. The arrays of data from numerous data centers are hard to even imagine. The data stored on servers represents a wide variety of information necessary for the needs of businesses, scientific institutions, government agencies, and so on.

However, it is not only large organizations that need to store and use large amounts of data. Most ordinary users are already faced with the constant problem of lack of disk space on their home computers. Not so long ago, a 100 GB hard drive was an unattainable dream for most PC owners, and its lucky owners were lost, not knowing how to fill this abyss now. Ten years before, hard drives with a capacity of 120 MB were the ultimate dream. A dozen years earlier, popular rumor attributed to Bill Gates the words “I don’t know why more than 64 kilobytes of RAM would be needed,” and information was stored on magnetic tapes and floppy disks.

Not much time has passed in historical terms, but a huge number of PC users, even for home storage, no longer have enough terabyte hard drives. The reason is simple: the bulk of information stored at home is made up of all kinds of multimedia data. Every year, movies, music, and photos take up more and more disk space due to increasing requirements for picture and sound quality. If at the dawn of home multimedia a compressed film took up to 700 MB (one CD), and an uncompressed film in DVD quality - up to 4.7 GB, now the same film in Full HD format can take up 30-40 GB on the hard drive . If you have the ability to watch 3D video at home, then the size of files with video content immediately doubles.

Obviously, it becomes difficult to create an extensive home video library with one or two terabytes of storage at your disposal. The most obvious way out of this situation seems to be simply increasing the number of hard drives in your system unit. A couple of terabytes are missing - add another disk, then another and another. As a result, it is quite possible to create a storage capacity of 8-12 TB in a home PC, which will suit most users. But such a solution has a number of significant drawbacks.

Typical home network example

Firstly, most modern apartments no longer have one, and often not two, devices for watching videos. Computer, TVs in the living room and kitchen, acoustics in the loggia, etc. Each of these content consumers must have constant access to the storage. In addition, if a video surveillance system is installed in the house, it is convenient to store the data received from the cameras in a centralized storage. Therefore, the computer in which this storage is organized must be constantly running. This is not always convenient and leads to excessive depreciation and premature failure of expensive PC components.

Secondly, the constant simultaneous access of several consumers to the storage inevitably leads to a slowdown of the computer, which has to take up part of its own resources to process these requests and distribute information.

Thirdly, three or four hard drives in one system unit are quite a serious load for the power supply and a good source of heat inside the PC case. Most likely, to ensure their normal operation, you will have to replace the power supply with a more powerful one and organize additional cooling inside the system unit, which will inevitably lead to an increase in the noise level from the computer.

Fourthly, the option of increasing storage capacity by increasing the number of hard drives is completely impossible for those who only use laptops, tablets and similar small gadgets at home. You can replace one hard drive in a laptop with another, larger capacity, but it will not be possible to radically solve the problem of limited disk space.

The solution to solve the problem of lack of disk space and organize stable and efficient operation of your home network can be to install a home data server. In addition to storing data, the server can be configured to perform a number of additional tasks - email and torrent clients, home media centers, video galleries, etc. But full-fledged server solutions are still prohibitively expensive for most users.

Therefore, for those who simply need capacious network storage, the best option for home are special network storage systems - NAS (Network Attached Storage).

What is NAS

Above we have already defined this device - it is a network data storage system. Let's see what it is in practice.

Essentially, a NAS is an ordinary computer that is placed in a compact (if possible) case, equipped with an array of several hard drives and connected to a home computer network. A classic NAS is designed exclusively for long-term and reliable storage of various information and providing access to it from anywhere in the home network.

Since it is not designed to perform any computing tasks or direct user interaction, in the vast majority of cases a keyboard, mouse and monitor are not connected to the NAS. The entire process of interaction with the storage occurs through the network, including its initial setup. Typically, this configuration occurs through the web interface.

What a typical NAS looks like

NAS software can be based on any of the well-known operating systems, but the most commonly used operating systems are the Unix family, FreeBSD, and various versions of Linux - due to their low (or non-existent) cost, flexibility, scalability and ease of administration. Since configuration and interaction with the NAS occurs via a web interface, the OS installed in the storage does not play any role for the user.

When choosing a NAS, you need to estimate in advance your needs for network storage capacity and take into account the following parameters: the number of simultaneously installed hard drives in the system (can range from two to eight), the ability to create RAID arrays from these drives and their type (necessary to ensure data safety when one disk fails), network protocol bandwidth (now, as a rule, all NAS have a gigabit connection), additional functionality.

As an optional feature, many NAS provide software support for IP video surveillance systems. It is also often possible to configure access rights to stored information separately for each user.

Important is the ability to quickly create backup copies of all data with the click of a button. Often modern NAS are equipped with software that turns them into torrent clients.

Another frequently requested feature is the ability to provide remote access to information stored on the NAS. When configured correctly, you get access to the storage from anywhere in the world where an Internet connection is possible. In fact, you can organize your own cloud data storage.

Therefore, when choosing a NAS as your home storage, think in advance what tasks it will perform in your home, and choose a specific device taking into account your own requirements for its functionality.

NAS in practice

Many enthusiasts, after reading the above, probably asked themselves the question: if the NAS is an ordinary computer designed to perform a specific task, then is it possible to assemble it independently from components available on the market? The answer is simple: of course it is possible. And homemade NAS are often found in the home networks of computer professionals. However, the economic gain today is not so great as to refuse ready-made solutions that are offered by almost all manufacturers of computer and network equipment.

So, who should you pay attention to in the NAS market so that you don’t regret the money spent later?

NAS systems today are available from such computer giants as IBM, Dell, Intel, Fujitsu, Asus, Iomega, Seagate, Western Digital, Sun Microsystems, Transcend, Kingston, ZyXEL, D-Link and most lesser-known brands.

The devices they offer differ in the number of installed hard drives, design, operating system, functionality and, of course, cost.

Using the example of several specific devices, we will consider the variety of existing options.

Seagate Central

The simplest NAS, designed to install one hard drive with a capacity of 2-4 TB. The main task is to provide access to data within the home network and remote access from the Internet. In fact, it is an external hard drive equipped with a network interface in addition to USB. Does not provide any additional services.

One of the serious advantages of Seagate Central is its mobility - like a regular external hard drive, it can easily fit into a small bag and can travel with its owner if necessary.

The cost ranges from 5-7 thousand rubles depending on the size of the installed hard drive.

D-Link DNS-315

Another representative of single-disk drives. The hard drive is not included in the package; the choice of hard drive is at the discretion of the user. It has quite advanced software for an entry-level model. Easily configured as an FTP server, it can work as a print server, connecting to a wide range of printers with a USB cable.

A gigabit network card ensures fast data exchange with all participants in the home network. It can store credentials with individual settings for 512 users at once, which allows it to be used as an exchanger in small offices.

The cost is about 1750 rubles.

Iomega ix2 35551

Network storage designed for installing two hard drives with a capacity of up to 4 TB each. A gigabit network card, the ability to quickly backup data, an interesting design, small dimensions and silent operation make it attractive to a wide range of users.

You can purchase Iomega ix2 35551 for a price starting from 9,900 rubles. At the same time, the initial package includes two disks of 2 TB each.

This is a professional drive designed for simultaneous installation of up to eight hard drives. It is possible to organize arrays from RAID0 to RAID10 with hot-swappable disks. Support for all existing network protocols, two Gigabit Ethernet channels, support for IP video surveillance systems, GSM monitoring capabilities, management of 4096 accounts and many other functions that cannot even be listed in a short review make this device an excellent choice for organizing network storage a large office or a large household with a developed video surveillance system and a large number of participants in the home network.

This system runs on an Intel Core i3-2120 processor with a clock frequency of 3.3 GHz, which interacts with 2 GB of RAM.

The cost of this device already exceeds 100 thousand rubles.

Short conclusion

Despite the short history of their development, NAS systems are becoming increasingly popular in small offices and home networks. Wide functionality, reliable data storage, the ability to provide access to information 24×7, low power consumption and relatively low cost make them indispensable in the context of the rapidly growing need to increase the volume of stored information.

Being a cheaper replacement for full-fledged server solutions, NAS are often not inferior to them in the level of service provided, especially in small home networks and in the increasingly popular smart home systems.

Network-attached storage (NAS) is a computer with built-in disk space that is connected to a local (home) network and operates according to the protocols adopted there.

Network storage is also called a network storage system.

Basically, network storage disks are one logical element - a redundant (backup) array. Several such storages can be connected by one network.

Such an organization of data storage ensures reliable storage of information when accessed by many users, is easy to manage and scale (copes with increasing the number of resources in the network and increasing load).

The main purpose of network storage is to provide resources for storing information to other devices on the network.

The NAS module software is not designed to solve computing problems, but is designed to ensure the operation of the storage itself and its file system; is responsible for organizing access to data and controlling system functions.

I/O devices such as a monitor and keyboard are not connected to the network storage. In this regard, setting up the software and managing the storage itself is performed via a computer connected to the same local network using a browser. Access is accomplished by accessing the NAS device via a network address (IP address).

Kinds

Network storage can be divided into two types.

The first type of network storage is characterized by:

• Low power processor.
• Small amount of memory. Such devices are not characterized by high speed and variety of services provided. For example, watching high-definition videos is unlikely to be possible. The backup process may also take a long time. Such network storage does not support torrents very well due to the low speed of uploading and downloading information.
• The problem is their repair. Very often non-standard components are used, or it is not known which file system is used to organize the operation of the disks. Therefore, there is a possibility of losing all information if the network storage fails.

However, with all its shortcomings, this type of NAS:

• Relatively inexpensive.
• Very compact.
• Almost silent.

The second type of network storage is, so to speak, home servers

In fact, these are ordinary computers, which contain the same components, controlled by conventional operating systems (hereinafter referred to as OS), or an OS configured specifically for managing NAS systems.

Managing home servers does not require deep system administration skills or entering long commands. Now control can be easily accomplished via a browser or specialized graphical software.

This type of network storage has the following advantages over network storage of the first type:

• High performance file storage.
• High speed.
• You can install various software (for example, the same torrents that will perform their functions).
• Easily restored in case of failure thanks to the use of standard components and conventional operating systems.

Disadvantages of network storage of the second type in comparison with NAS of the first type:

• Higher price.
• Big sizes.
• More noisy.

Network data storages can also be classified by the number of slots (extensions). It is believed that as the number of slots increases, the class of network storage increases:

• for home use;
• for home office and small business office;
• for medium-sized businesses;
• for production and corporate office.

Although the connection between class and number of slots is very vague. So, there are 4-slot models for home, and 2-slot models for business.

This depends on the capabilities of the network storage itself and the software installed on it.

Purchase

If low cost, quiet operation are important to you (for example, you plan to place the storage in the room where you sleep), and the speed of data transfer over the network is not critical for you, then you can consider purchasing a network storage of the first type described. In other cases, you should give preference to a home server.

When choosing, each user should consider:

• hard drives for the NAS device are purchased separately, and the cost of storage will be determined by their quantity;
• When choosing a budget two-disk model with a low-power processor and small memory, it is almost impossible to obtain high-performance network storage;
• The features of high-speed and powerful NAS systems are usually not fully utilized at home.

The choice is most often determined by the optimal cost-performance ratio.

If cost is the determining criterion when choosing, then three types of models can be considered:

• For a limited budget.
• Inexpensive network storage models are well suited for deploying a home network consisting of several PCs, two switches, and the latest Smart TV system.
• Medium NAS devices.

For buyers with an average budget, manufacturers are ready to offer network storage systems that perform almost all server functions at an affordable price. Examples of implemented functions are:

• at least two hard drives;
• work with a variety of data exchange protocols, etc.

Almost all manufacturers offering NAS systems to the market produce models of this class. Systems from Thecus manufacturer are quite popular.

Professional network storage

Allows you to store large amounts of data with a high degree of reliability. They are not much different from professional file servers. But it is precisely this difference that allows them to be installed not in a separate air-conditioned room, but in a regular office or home.

The dominant manufacturers of high-performance NAS systems are:

• Synology.
• Samsung.
• QNAP.

You can buy network storage in computer hardware stores or online stores.

Review of the best models

Let's look at three noteworthy network storage models:

Samsung WirelessSamsung Wireless

Samsung Wireless Network Storage

The price is about 8 thousand rubles.

It stands out among analogues by the presence of the “Wi-Fi hotspot” function, which allows you to connect up to 5 users. Often used as convenient network storage for various gadgets. The demand for the device is explained by the limited memory capacity of mobile devices.

Characteristics:

• Supported network storage memory capacity is up to 1.5 TB.
• Works under such popular operating systems as: Android, Windows, Vista, XP SP2, Mac OS.
• The built-in rechargeable battery allows you to work up to 7 hours without recharging.
• The possibility of wireless connection has been implemented.
• The presence of a USB 3.0 port allows you to recharge mobile devices from network storage.
• Using a NAS device, you can connect the HDD directly to a PC without using Wi-Fi.

Synology DS213 air

Synology DS213 air network storage

The price ranges from 15 to 17 thousand rubles.

This NAS device is better suited for users of desktop devices than portable devices (tablets/smartphones), although it does not lack a Wi-Fi option.

Characteristics:

• Its own processor operates at a frequency of 1600 GHz.
• RAM capacity – 256 MB.
• Provides information exchange up to 8 TB.
• Allows you to organize a “cloud” for exchanging information with other users.
• You can connect up to 8 IP cameras.
• The storage facility is equipped with specialized software for downloading information, as well as a print server.
• Can perform the functions of a router.

QNAP TS-269L

Network storage QNAP TS-269L

The price is about 40 thousand rubles.

Characteristics:

• Processor frequency – 1860 MHz.
• RAM size 1GB.
• 2 slots for hard drives.
• 2 Ethernet controllers, the speed of which reaches 1000 Mbit/s.
• The kit includes a set of software.
• You can connect more than 12 IP cameras.
• Among the features is automatic restart of power supply after a failure.

Among the shortcomings, there is noise when the cooler operates.

Installation and configuration

Primary preparation:

• Installing hard drives into a NAS enclosure.
• Connection to power supply.
• Network connection. Here you can consider two connection options:
  • Wireless (for example, using a Wi-Fi router). The advantage of this connection is the absence of unnecessary wires.
  • Wired. It will be necessary to deploy a local network. But a wired connection provides reliable connection, high data transfer speeds along with low cost of network installation.
• When connecting the network storage to the network via a router, the NAS automatically receives all network settings, including the IP address. To configure the device, you must use a computer on the same network.

After connecting all devices to the network, you need to make the following settings:

• Find a NAS device by IP address from your computer using the utility that comes with your network storage.
• Further, using the same utility, the following is carried out:
  • Installing the operating system on the storage;
  • Setting up network drives;
  • Differentiation of access levels to the NAS device from different network devices;
  • Condition monitoring and other actions.
• To obtain an IP address for a NAS device, it is better to use dynamic address distribution. The IP address distribution function is enabled on the router. Entering the IP address manually is used if the PC performs the router function. When allocating an IP address manually, you need to follow some rules. The IP addresses of all devices must belong to the same subnet. Setting an IP address manually requires more knowledge of network administration than automated IP address assignment.
• You can access a NAS device connected to the network using a PC. To do this, you need to go to the “Network Neighborhood” of your PC (this shortcut is either on the PC desktop or in the “start menu”).

In any case, the nuances of installing and configuring network storage are determined by its model. The device usually includes a disk with a utility (program), as well as a guide for installing and configuring network storage.

Application area

In fact, the principle of managing data locally allocated to individual computing devices is far from new. Large enterprises, where hundreds and thousands of specialists work on PCs, usually use entire server rooms (the principle of operation is the same as that of network storage, only the scale is much larger).

But for small local NAS networks, the modules are ideal.

Network storage can be used both in the office and at home if there is a need to store a large amount of information. In this case, it is possible to organize the transfer of information from several personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs).

If at home you use modern nettops to access Internet resources and other work, which do not have a large amount of built-in memory, then you can think about purchasing network storage in order to transfer “heavy” information (high-quality video files, the latest computer games, large volumes of photographs, etc.).

On the other hand, it is advisable to acquire network storage at home if you keep up with the times, and your set of gadgets and devices at home includes: desktop PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone, game console, video camera, digital camera, TV with built-in computer and etc.

In addition, NAS devices (two-disk or more) come with the appropriate software, which makes it possible to implement regular automatic backups from devices connected to the same network. Thanks to this, in the event of a sudden failure of any network device, such as a PC, information will not be lost.

Part One: Cold Iron

It can be stewed and chopped into broth,
And it's good to serve with vegetables.

Lewis Carroll, The Hunting of the Snark

Anyone who is able to assemble a personal computer and install Windows can, if desired, create a fairly advanced NAS from x86-compatible hardware and free software builds based on *nix. At the same time, roughly speaking, the number of installed disks affects the cost and complexity of the project only by the cost of the disks. This allows you to seriously save money compared to buying a ready-made NAS with 4 or more disks, but it is hardly profitable if a NAS with 1-2 disks satisfies your needs. It is impossible to say which option is better. Everyone has their own preferences. Some people cook well at home, while others prefer to dine in a restaurant. Do you enjoy tinkering with computer software and hardware? Then this text may be useful. Do you need a storage service on its own? Choose between cloud storage and a ready-made NAS out of the box.

N. B. This article is not about the hardware model or the version of the software product. She talks about the concept of creating a NAS with your own hands and suggests considering other options for solving the problem, besides buying a ready-made device. The topic is long, with nearly a thousand pages of discussion. The people there are polite and responsive. This is a hint that the article does not pretend to be complete, academic or the ultimate truth.

What kind of NAS is this?

According to Wikipedia, NAS (Network Attached Storage) - network storage system, network storage. It is a computer connected to a network and designed to provide data storage services to other devices. The operating system and NAS module programs provide operation of the data storage and file system, access to files, and control over system functions. The device is not designed to perform normal computing tasks, although running other programs on it may be technically possible. Typically, NAS devices do not have a screen or keyboard, but are managed and configured over the network, often using a browser.

The definition is not ideal, but quite working. NAS is also used in business, but they have their own requirements and features. We will be interested in home use of NAS.

People usually come to the idea of ​​assembling a NAS with their own hands in two ways, and often in both ways at once. When you have one computer at home, you don't need a NAS. Gradually other network devices appear. Laptops, smartphones, tablets. And especially - network HD media players, all sorts of Dune, Popcorn, WD TV and the like. It is with the acquisition of a network media player that a person often begins to accumulate terabytes of information. It is first stored on removable hard drives that are connected to the media player and/or added to the main computer. Soon there will be too many disks for convenient use, and a computer quietly buzzing around the clock, at the same time downloading something from the Internet, will begin to irritate, if not you, then your better half. An idea arises to collect this bunch of disks in a separate box, put it somewhere in a corner and instruct it to distribute content to all network devices and download torrents. Congratulations, you've taken the first route to NAS. On the way, we definitely took a look at the finished NAS, out of the box. But the price!..

The second way is through hardware upgrades. As a result, less than a cubic meter of components accumulate, which are difficult to sell and there is no one to give as a gift. The Plyushkin within us finds a useful use for them in the idea of ​​​​building a NAS. And at the same time satisfy your craving to rummage through the guts of the computer. It’s not for nothing that one cheerful American wrote that working with a computer is the only legal way today to push around someone who is smarter than you.

Of course, there are other ways. For example, you are a keen photographer and need reliable storage of long-term archives. Or a loving parent filming every step of their baby. Etc. But rarely do such scenarios lead to assembling a NAS with your own hands. Much more often - to buy ready-made out of the box. The needs of such users are confidently met by 1-2 disk models of ready-made NAS. It is difficult, if not impossible, for a neophyte amateur to assemble something similar in size, noise and price to 1-2 disk models.

In defense of ready-made NAS, it is worth noting that they provide many features and functions out of the box, requiring minimal installation/configuration/tuning. So, in fact, their cost must include the work of programmers, technical support, etc.

The situation changes dramatically if 1-2 disks are not enough, but there is a need for 4 or more. Manufacturers' marketers set a price level for them, which plunges a person familiar with the computer price tag into a state of frustration (although they pronounce much more popular words). And the person begins to choose a hardware configuration, to which we move on. Although he should have started with software, he can’t go against nature.

The hardware depends on the software used. Software - depending on the assigned tasks. And the correct formulation of the problem has never been a strong point of the home handyman. So he starts with hardware. If we came to building a NAS with a bag of parts left over from upgrades, then the good news is that they will fit, even if not optimally. Without even looking.

Broomed around the barn

In order to comfortably watch FullHD video over the network, including BD disk images, we will need at least:

• 1-2 gigabytes of RAM if ZFS is not used and 4-8, more is possible if ZFS is used. (About ZFS - later, Google will help the impatient.) But even on a rarity with 256 MB you can collect something useful;
• x86-compatible processor, ideally (and for ZFS) - 64-bit, but 32-bit is suitable for most options. That is, any x86 processor except those that are completely museum-quality. It would be preferable to have less heat, but that’s what it is;
• wired Ethernet port, preferably gigabit - although 100 megabits is enough for viewing BD images over the network. Connecting a NAS over Wi-Fi is a controversial idea (but if you build it yourself, you have much more freedom in choosing wireless controllers);
• drives and SATA ports. For NAS there is no difference between SATA-2 (3 Gbit/s) and SATA-3 (6 Gbit/s). Not every drive is faster than the ancient SATA-1, so such ports can be used. But IDE drives, by modern standards, are slow, low-capacity, hot and noisy. If there are not enough SATA ports, you can use controllers. But if (when) you soon decide to move to new hardware, then the SATA controllers purchased as crutches for an outdated motherboard will lie idle. I know from myself, I have two lying around. And be careful with disks larger than 2 TB. Many older controllers are not compatible with them. And among the SATA-1 controllers, there are also those that do not work with disks larger than a terabyte - however, this is already ancient and rare;
• Of course, the case where it will all fit and the power supply that will pull it. There are subtleties with the power supply, it makes sense to look at a new one, see below.

Most likely, the hardware left over from the upgrades will satisfy these requirements. And if it doesn’t make much noise (or there is somewhere to clean it), then you’re generally lucky. You can start experimenting.

Custom tailoring

If you are assembling a NAS from specially purchased components, then you should first decide on your wishes. In most cases (but it is impossible to grasp the immensity) requests are divided into three groups, conventionally “quiet-compact”, “effective-extensible” and “server-so-server”. Let me clarify that there is no clearly correct option. After all, the user himself weighs wishes, costs and his capabilities. But the wrong one is possible. When the result does not satisfy the requirements explicitly or implicitly specified during the design. For example, the spouse will say that the box is, of course, big. But it howls like an airplane, and she doesn’t agree to live in the same apartment. Or the system assembled under passive conditions does not withstand the test in the summer. Or the video simply shuts down when viewed online. Therefore, it is better to consider your wishes on the shore. Especially the implicit ones.

Important note. We're talking about a NAS, not an HTPC (Home Theater PC), that is, not a computer that shows movies with sound on a large screen connected to its video output. In principle, no one forbids you to make HTPC, including with many hard drives, although the requirements for HTPC and NAS, as well as the software and hardware used for them, are very different. HTPC is a different topic.

Quietly compact

This set of requirements is influenced by off-the-shelf NAS. I want something compact and quiet, but one that can fit 4 disks (often 6, sometimes more). Such requirements usually lead to the choice of a Mini-ITX motherboard with a soldered Atom-like processor housed in a compact case. Examples are below.

There is a very good preconfigured solution - HP Proliant Microserver (). Compact, reasonable in price (from 12,000 at the moment), 4 hard drives, the fifth can be inserted instead of ODD, which is unnecessary in the NAS. And with the help of a small tambourine, make the port intended for ODD SATA work normally. Disadvantages - the processor is far from powerful, but for many scenarios it is sufficient. If you are satisfied with the microserver, let's go to the chapter about software.

HP Proliant Microserver is a high-quality and inexpensive candidate for the role of home NAS

If not, first select a case for the desired number of disks (whether or not a disk is needed for the system depends on the OS. We will discuss it in the chapter about software). Here, in the battle of show-off aesthetic feelings with greed and the desire for effective costs, the first test of the strength of the “quiet-compact” concept takes place. Beautiful compact cases are not cheap. If victory lies with the toad's desire for efficiency, let's go to the chapter on efficiency and extensibility. We go there if the selected case allows the installation of a microATX motherboard. If aesthetics win, we select a Mini-ITX (Mini-DTX) motherboard. The first requirement is a maximum of SATA ports (including eSATA). In principle, desktop versions with 6 SATA ports were produced. But whether it will be possible to find it here and now is the question. If there are not enough ports, PCIe SATA controllers with 2 and even 4 ports are quite affordable. Naturally, they require a PCIe slot. Considering that it is the only one in Mini-ITX, expandability ends there.

All examples are from real life, often with modifications and additional photos - see FAQ in the profile thread, section 3.1

	by axel77	from half_moon_bay	by padavan
Frame	Chenbro ES34069	Lian Li PC-Q25	Lian-Li PC-Q08
power unit	180 W included	Corsair, PSU-500CXV2EU, 500 W	Enermax 380 W (82+)
Motherboard	Zotac NM10-DTX WiFi	Asus E35M-I*	Asus P8H67-I**
CPU	integrated Intel Atom D510	integrated AMD E-350	Intel Pentium G840
RAM	Kingston 2x2 GB	Corsair XMS3 2x8 GB	2x4 GB DDR3-1333
Hard drives for data	4×Samsung HD204UI	7×3.5″	6×3.5″ + hotswap for 3.5″ HDD in 5.25″ bay
System storage	2.5″ Toshiba 500 GB	USB flash drive	2.5″ HDD
operating system	FreeBSD	FreeNAS 8.x	OMV
Additionally	network Intel WG82574L***	ST-Lab 370 4xSATA	PCIe 2xSATA-II
Price estimate****	RUB 14,950	RUB 15,600	RUB 14,000

* Nowadays motherboards with E-350 have become rare, they have been replaced by versions with E-450. SATA ports - fewer;
** Not on sale, but see, for example, ASUS P8H77-I;
*** the author added a network through a homemade raiser, but this is rather personal perfectionism;
**** Prices are estimates at the request of the editors using modern Yandex Market, if not available - Price.ru, if not available - analogues. This is a rough estimate, since some models are no longer on sale and the prices found are not necessarily current. The price does not take into account data disks; a used system HDD, if available, was counted as 1000 rubles.

There are subtleties about “quietly”. The first impulse is “complete passive”. However, in most cases the argument is accepted that 4-6 drives will produce more noise than a good 120mm fan at low speed. In any case, you need to understand that you have to pay for everything and a compact case, all other things being equal, will be noisier than a more spacious standard case with large fans.

The obvious feature of a soldered processor is performance. If this is not enough, the vast majority abandon the Mini-ITX format. But, for the sake of completeness, it must be said that this is not necessary, cf. configuration from maestro padavan.

The assembly from Padavan is, as you can see, extremely compact

In December last year, the Intel Atom S1200 (Centerton) for server purposes was announced. When they go on sale, they may be an interesting option for a home NAS. Support for ECC memory, Intel Virtualization (VT-x), 8 PCI-E lanes, 8 GB of memory - this is enough for most options.

Efficiently extensible

A significant part of NAS builders - some right away, some faced with the limitations of options on Atom-like processors - decide to assemble a configuration that allows for serious expansion. In terms of processor, memory, but above all - in terms of the number of disks. As already mentioned, ready-made NAS even with 4 disks are not cheap, but with 8-10 they are already prohibitively expensive for the home. At the same time, it is not difficult to choose a sufficiently spacious housing. For example, in my case, left over from the upgrade of the Craftway computer (they didn’t save on case hardware back then), there are now 7 units living in it. 3.5″ drives and you can install 3 more without any problems. When choosing a case for a really large number of drives, you should look towards models with many 5.25″ slots, in which you can then install baskets with airflow, using 5.25″ slots for four 3.5″ drives. See the example in the Costs chapter.

Since the NAS operates 24/7, I would like an energy-efficient processor (in Moscow, a watt per year costs 35 rubles). Intel Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge seriously reduce power consumption when idle, but the NAS is extremely lightly loaded the lion's share of the time. Therefore, the daily power consumption of such a NAS may be significantly lower than that of the Atom version, which does not know how to reduce consumption when idle. Which processor model to choose depends on whether you need to transcode video in real time.

Many modern TVs have DLNA functionality, which allows you to receive video over a local network. The problem is that they only understand some encoding options. And often they are not at all the ones used by the rips and remixes found on the Internet. The problem can be solved in several ways. (1) Look for movies in a format that matches your TV. It's the tail that wags the dog. (2) Recode the movie on the computer to suit the TV's requests. This is a waste of time and is only possible for a self-made video. (3) Load the NAS with real-time transcoding and (4) Buy a media player, that is, a small box that receives video as files, including via the network with the NAS, and supplies the TV with the receiver with an audio-video signal, usually via HDMI. If you chose option (3), then you need to study the specifications of the TV and look in the Core i7 area. Plus, due to limitations in DLNA in general, and in implementing this marketing idea on your TV in particular, it will not be possible to achieve complete omnivorousness. Option (4) at the current price level turns out to be not only simpler and more functional, but also cheaper. While the NAS processor is suitable for virtually any junior Pentium or Celeron 2nd or 3rd generation Core. You can take the i3, fortunately, compared to the price of the disks, the difference will be negligible. Choose according to your taste. For quick reference or detailed final comparison of candidate models, you can use the processor testing section on iXBT. I took an Intel Pentium G2120 as the youngest Ivy Bridge at that time. Junior Sandy Bridges are cheap and more than sufficient.

The AMD processors available at the time of writing are not impressive compared to Intel - although AMD is much more generous in providing its processors with ECC memory support, and perhaps the company will soon have something competitive, for example the Opteron 3250 with a stated price of $99.

ASUS P8H77-M Pro motherboard: 7 SATA, up to 32 GB RAM

Motherboard. I took the ASUS P8H77-M Pro for the following reasons:

• LGA1155, we get built-in video automatically due to the processor, it will only be needed at the installation stage;
• maximum number of SATA ports, no matter 3 or 6 Gbit/s (7 SATA + eSATA);
• 4 memory slots are better, but 2 are enough (4, up to 32 GB);
• integrated 1000BaseTX, considered better from Intel. But taking into account the presence of a processor with a reserve of computing power, Realtek will do just fine (Realtek 8111F);
• PCIe slots for future installation of SATA controllers and network cards (x16, x4 in x16 slot, 2 x 1);
• Form factor - microATX.

This is quite enough to provide all the required functionality. And all kinds of additions will only waste electricity. But if you suddenly like an ATX board, you have the right.

The cooler is selected according to taste, memory - according to the requirements of the selected OS. Here the range is possible from gigabytes to 32.

The power supply is included in a separate chapter.

Examples of the described option:

	by ZanZag	by shale
Frame	Lian Li PC-V354R	InWin BP659
power unit	Chieftec BPS-550C 550 W	200 W included
Motherboard	ASUS P8H67-M EVO(B3)	ECS H61H2-I2
CPU	Intel Pentium G860	Intel Celeron G530
RAM	4x4 GB DDR3 PC3-1066	Kingston 2x2 GB
Hard drives for data	6×Hitachi HDS5C3030ALA630	3×Seagate ST3000DM001
System storage	CF 4 GB via CF-IDE adapter	40 GB SSD
operating system	nas4free 9.x	OMV
Additionally		cooler Cooler Master DP6-8E5SB-PL-GP, add. fans 2×Zalman FDB-1 and Arctic Cooling F9 PWM
Price estimate	RUB 18,200	7300 rub.

Server-so-server

There is a “premium” category of NAS builders who, for objective or subjective reasons, build NAS from serious and expensive server components. Enthusiasts are experimenting with 10-gigabit network solutions. Remember that server configurations are often not quite compatible with residential premises in terms of size and noise. The ability to use ECC memory is the most obvious advantage of the approach. The ZFS file system used in this segment of home NAS construction is memory intensive. In this case, a memory failure can lead to data corruption that goes unnoticed. ECC memory solves the problem, but its use in the Intel version requires server processors (there are interesting exceptions, for example the Pentium G2120) and motherboards.

Virtualization is often used and several guest OS solve problems, each with their own. A common option is when a SATA controller is forwarded into a virtual machine that performs the storage function (Solaris or FreeBSD with zfs). From this VM, disk capacity is exported via NFS or iSCSI to the hypervisor and other VMs. I will refrain from further explanation of what I myself am not very well versed in and will give real examples.

Assembly from TPAKTOP, outside and inside views

	by fatfree	by axel77	from TPAKTOP
Frame	Fractal Design Define Mini	Supermicro CSE-SC846E26-R1200B
power unit	Seasonic X560
Motherboard	Supermicro X9SCL-F	Supermicro X9SCM-F	Supermicro X9SCM-F
CPU	Intel Xeon E3-1230	Intel Xeon E3-1230	Intel Xeon E3-1220
RAM	4×Kingston KVR1333D3E9S/8G	4×Kingston KVR1333D3E9S/4G	4×Kingston KVR1333D3E9S/4G
Hard drives for data	5×WD20EFRX	in the process of accumulation	12xST31000524AS in two 6xRaidZ2 (main pool), 2xST32000542AS in a mirror (backup pool), 4xST3250318AS in a stripe (torrent pool)
System storage	Intel SSD 520 180 GB	2.5″ by 320 GB	TS64GSSD25S-M
operating system	ESXi 5.1.0 + Nexenta CE + Ubuntu Server 12.04 + Windows 8	FreeBSD	FreeBSD
Additionally	HBA IBM ServeRAID M1015, Noctua NH-L12 cooler	2×HBA IBM ServerRAID M1015	2×HBA IBM ServeRAID M1015, Intel Gigabit ET Dual Port Server Adapter

SATA/SAS controllers

So if you can’t wait, you can start. And in the second part we will discuss the software in more detail.

I would like to express my gratitude to all participants in the profile thread on the forum.site, including comrades axel77, half_moon_bay, padavan, ZanZag, shale, whose configurations were used in the article; comrades Sergei V. Sh, TPAKTOP, iZEN and RU_Taurus for many useful comments.
Special thanks to the developers of free software: Olivier Cochard-Labbé, Daisuke Aoyama, Michael Zoon, Volker Theile and many others. They made the very existence of the DIY NAS theme possible.