Question What is the Best/Cheapest NAS route for me?

[AdamHFF]

Hello. So I am wanting a NAS for backup purposes and the possibility of SSH "ing" to it from anywhere.

I know I have a lot of options on how to do this. I'm trying to use what I've got, so I have an old raspberry pi that I'm looking into but I think it's a pi 2B or something? I bought it years ago.

Also, Has anyone ever used the USB port and an external HDD on a nighthawk (or similar) wifi router to set up a NAS? I Don't think I can SSH into a router, right?

I also have a decent Ultra small form factor pc but I don't want that to be on all the time. I don't want to use up that much energy (electricity). I have a Terabyte HDD that is external that I plan on using atm.

I also see on amazon some HDD/SSD's that are made for this but I'm trying it on a budget first.

Hopefully purchasing something new isn't the only possibility and thanks for any suggestions!

 

[USAFRet]

NAS stands for Network Attached Storage.
Key word....Network.

This would be connected via ethernet to your router and the LAN. Not USB.

What is your actual budget for this?

 

[AdamHFF]

Yes, I know it means network attached but it's my understanding that this typically means local area network. I would like to be able to access it from anywhere.

I don't really want to spend anything, but I saw one for like $100 that automated most of this and was a SSD. I mean realistically I could do $50 or so.

Also, what do those usb ports do on the wifi router do if they aren't meant for some sort of flash drive or something?

Thank you.

 

[USAFRet]

No, it doesn't always mean "local".

If desired, I could access my QNAP from anywhere.

Yes, the USB port on a router is usually for a drive of some sort. But performance almost always sucks. The router brain is not really good for this.

A $50 "budget" doesn't give you a lot of choices.

 

[Yoda1234]

You could look at TrueNAS (FreeNAS) as a cheap/free option (software wise). Raspberry could be integrated to access this on any type of H/W you dedicate for the NAS part.

If you have VPN possibility as you mentioned also that you cant to connect from everywhere and SSH also, which not make use of WakeOnLAN option for the "Ultra small form factor pc" if it supports it?

It will allow you to switch the device on/off whenever you want when you are off your grid.

 

[punkncat]

According to how much space you need, and what manner of items you would be making available to yourself outside of the LAN it may be worthwhile to consider cloud storage or a purpose built program.

For instance, if all you want to do is consume media while you are away Plex can be linked to any drive and shared both locally and wide.