Question Looking for NAS Software Recommendation

[chrisan]

Hi everyone!
Looking for a recommendation for free NAS software. I think there are a number of candidates out there. Or something inexpensive. This will be for a residential application. Looking for something really easy to set up. Would like some sort of RAID or disc mirroring. I don't do much with my current NAS other than use it for a household repository for music, pics, back up files and a couple other things. Would be nice to share some pics with friends by sending them a link. Might set up PLEX some day. Not much more than that really.
Thx!

 

[USAFRet]

Would be nice to share some pics with friends by sending them a link.

That opens up a whole other level of problems.
Seriously.

Opening access for outside your home LAN is fraught with hazards.

 

[chrisan]

That opens up a whole other level of problems.
Seriously.

Opening access for outside your home LAN is fraught with hazards.

It was just a passing thought. Any thoughts about good NAS software - thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

It was just a passing thought. Any thoughts about good NAS software - thanks!

What do you use now?

FreeNAS is a good option.

 

[chrisan]

What do you use now?

FreeNAS is a good option.

I have a Synology 2 bay NAS. But I have a rack with 3ru open and some pretty decent computer parts laying around, motherboard, 4 core processor, ram, etc. All I need is a case. My plan was always to add a rack mount NAS, something with more space for discs as I tend to burn thru storage space thanks to some hobbies, music photography, etc.

FreeNAS/TrueNAS is indeed often recommended. I read it's a bit challenging for a newbie, though. But I also have a rack mount pfSense firewall/router I somehow got set up. Maybe I'll try that first. Was just wondering if there might be something else I should consider.

Thx!

 

[USAFRet]

Was just wondering if there might be something else I should consider.

Or, as I did with my NAS...add on a couple of drive enclosures, for more drive space.
Let the QNAP (or Syn in your case) continue to do its thing.

But there is nothing wrong with repurposing old hardware you have around. Free hardware and free OS...