Raspberry pi as NAS

MatteRB26 · 27 Nov 2022 at 07:16

Has anyone here used a Pi as a NAS? I'm considering giving a go with my Model B+ ( I think it's a + anyway) using a powered USB enclosure for multiple drives.

I'd then consider having it as an FTP server as well, possibly with two drive setups:

- A nas drive array for general storage
- A skyhawk drive (or other alternative to SkyHawk) for our security cameras to store to via FTP.

Wondering if anyone here has Used a Pi as a NAS/FTP controller before? I can't imagine a storage server needs a lot of cpu/ ram as the most frequent use will be the surveillance which I can setup to batch.

jrwagh333 · 27 Nov 2022 at 17:41

I have a 4b+ running:

PiHole,
Plex,
Transmission,
Sonarr,
Radarr,
Nextcloud.

All on the same Pi. It can't handle it if not many users are using it at the same time.

MatteRB26 · 27 Nov 2022 at 19:00

I should be alright then as a basic storage server. It won't have many users, the NAS side will let much be archive: Photos, videos etc. The main usage will come from the security cam writing to the Skyhawk

chrismscotland · 1 Dec 2022 at 23:50

I was using a Pi4 as a basic portable FileServer/NAS mainly running Emby, NextCloud and SyncThing and it was fine - but as other have said not really meant for multi-use.
Given the cost of getting hold of a Pi I've also dabbled with a Khadas VIM 4 which runs Ubuntu (or Android) - the extra grunt it had made Emby fly (even streaming 4K stuff with no issues)

MatteRB26 · 10 Dec 2022 at 07:38

It's surprising how nifty these little things are!

I might take one of my drives out my PC and give it a go before splashing on bigger drives

MarcLister · 10 Dec 2022 at 18:52

I've got a RPI4 running OpenMediaVault with a single SSD set up that I can access the shares from multiple computers. Works pretty well but I can't get true gigabit speeds on transfers to and from the NAS due I think to the Ethernet and USB ports using the same controller. Still for a small and cheap product with a free NAS it works very well.

walleee · 11 Dec 2022 at 02:45

It’s a hassle with anything older than a pi2. Open media vault works on pi2 and newer. its handy enough to install, maybe a bit more difficult to setup but totally worth it if you have some spares storage….

LostCorpse · 12 Dec 2022 at 17:31

lots of projects for Ras Pi NAs

hear are 2 :

Its a nice project

does lots of good content.

main issues are power for the most part, as mechanical disk take a lot more power than ssd's.

i think my next storage array will be pure ssd's just for power and quiet operation, also makes backup quicker.

MatteRB26 · 14 Dec 2022 at 06:07

Oh nice. To power the drives I was thinking of a mains powered hub to make sure they have enough power, certainly wouldn't rely on the Pi to provide that!

jonneymendoza · 27 Jan 2023 at 21:40

jrwagh333 said:
I have a 4b+ running:

PiHole,
Plex,
Transmission,
Sonarr,
Radarr,
Nextcloud.

All on the same Pi. It can't handle it if not many users are using it at the same time.

Mine can't handle plex well when I enable sub titles etc. Stutters a lot.

jrwagh333 · 28 Jan 2023 at 07:39

jonneymendoza said:
Mine can't handle plex well when I enable sub titles etc. Stutters a lot.

Yeah, I'm sure that would happen to mine too. I am only using it for Direct Play around the home and in all honesty only normally 1 stream at a time.

MatteRB26 · 28 Jan 2023 at 08:05

I'm now also considering turning my Pi Zero W into a portable streaming device for music. Throw on a touch screen, enclosure and grab a Bluetooth/WiFi speaker

jrwagh333 · 28 Jan 2023 at 12:25

MatteRB26 said:
I'm now also considering turning my Pi Zero W into a portable streaming device for music. Throw on a touch screen, enclosure and grab a Bluetooth/WiFi speaker

And battery