Need an easy NAS setup for a 3 B+

[notdesigner]

I have a working Raspberry Pi 3B+, with the stuff I want a strategy for:

32 GB SDC
8 GB USB stick
Powered 120 GB hard disk

I am aiming for some beginners testing (Yes, I have an EE degree, but that was 30-40 years ago ).
The reason for asking exactly this question is the complexity level I met, also I think the 3B+ offers possibilities.

I am first trying to get info on how I can set up a NAS, especially a good principle for how to boot.

What is a smart method for deploing the devices?

And where can I read about an easy NAS setup for a 3 B+?

Thanks!

/notdesigner

[fruitoftheloom]

I have a working Raspberry Pi 3B+, with the stuff I want a strategy for:

32 GB SDC
8 GB USB stick
Powered 120 GB hard disk

I am aiming for some beginners testing (Yes, I have an EE degree, but that was 30-40 years ago ).
The reason for asking exactly this question is the complexity level I met, also I think the 3B+ offers possibilities.

I am first trying to get info on how I can set up a NAS, especially a good principle for how to boot.

What is a smart method for deploing the devices?

And where can I read about an easy NAS setup for a 3 B+?

Thanks!

/notdesigner

There are hundreds of hits on Google, such as:

https://howtoraspberrypi.com/create-a-n ... and-samba/

[k-pi]

Take a look through these.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=raspberrypi+N ... pi&ia=news

[notdesigner]

Thanks for your reply.

But I have a 3 B+, and it seems to offer new possibilities.

Also, since Linux is complex and I am almost a beginner, please if someone could be more specific?

Thanks!

[pcmanbob]

Thanks for your reply.

But I have a 3 B+, and it seems to offer new possibilities.

Also, since Linux is complex and I am almost a beginner, please if someone could be more specific?

Thanks!

What new possibilities do you think will cause you problems ?

As long as you use the latest version of raspbian your pi3B+ should work just fine , the only time you might have problems is if you intend to use some pre-prepared image file , then you just need to make sure its actually compatible with the pi3B+ , so any how to's dated before march 2018 will probably not be compatible if they are using a pre-prepared image file .

How to's that just say install raspbian stretch and then go on to tell you how to install every thing else have a fair chance of working even if they were written for the pi 2 or 3, because you will be using the latest version of raspbian stretch anyway.

[LTolledo]

Will the RPi3B+ be only used as a NAS unit? So most likely a headless setup.

Make sure your power supply unit conforms with the RPF recommended rating of 5V 2.5A . Below that you'll likely encounter problems later if not sooner.

To prevent "accidental shorts" to the RPi board during your testing, better provide a good case for the RPi. Start with some non-metallic cases. Upgrade to better ones later.

Next you need to familiarize yourself with the Operating System to use for your NAS System.
Immediate pick will be Raspbian Stretch Lite.
https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/

Most of the members here will recommend you flash Raspbian to microSD card using Etcher.
https://etcher.io/

There are procedures here in the forum on how to properly boot the headless RPi.

Once you've past the initial setup, update and upgrade next to do is install file sharing service. Samba is the easiest one to setup.
Again there are several tutorials available on how to setup samba on an RPi. Take time to read those carefully before proceeding.

Once you've setup samba and happy with the results, make sure you make an image backup of the microSD card, so you wont have to do everything from scratch when some trouble arise later.

For the USB thumbdrive and/or USB HDD, it is recommended that it be formatted to EXT4, If in case you may need to plug the USB HDD or USB thumbdrive to a windows pc, better format it to NTFS format, and install ntfs-3g to raspbian so that you can have good access to the NTFS formatted volumes on the USB HDD/USB thumbdrive.

If you do encounter some errors, problems, troubles during your testing and or final setup, there are a band of few good folks here that will offer assistance in finding solutions....

Good luck with your build!

[ejolson]

I am first trying to get info on how I can set up a NAS, especially a good principle for how to boot.

There are two common approaches to seeing up network attached storage:

1. Start with Raspbian and install Samba, NFS and perhaps iSCSI. Then configure these services using a text editor to do what you want.

2. Install a NAS image such as OpenMediaVault. Then use a mouse with a web browser to configure the services you want.

The first method has the advantages of directly working with vendor supported software, flexibility and possibly learning something. The disadvantage is having to climb a steeper learning curve before getting your NAS to work. The second method has the advantage that it works out of the box with a mouse. Some disadvantages of the second method are summarised in this long running thread on the OMV forums.

[notdesigner]

Thanks for all good answers!

I looked around some, and got alarmed by what a corrupted setup might do.

Also, I am interested in using NTFS, and maybe booting from the hard disk.

As I am new to Linux, you see perhaps that I am clearly in trouble, if I am going for a sturdy system.

/notdesigner

[LTolledo]

As I am new to Linux, you see perhaps that I am clearly in trouble, if I am going for a sturdy system.

/notdesigner

Just don't rush things... do each a step at a time. Your case is a build to use and learn, not build to sell immediately.

[rpdom]

Also, I am interested in using NTFS, and maybe booting from the hard disk.

If you are making a NAS with a Raspberry Pi and Raspbian, you'll want to stick to an ext4 filesystem - unless you plan to disconnect the disk and plug it directly into a Windows or Mac system sometimes.

etx4 will deliver the best performance. The Samba software on the Pi will present the filesystem externally as CIFS, which both Windows and MacOS understand.

If using it with other Linux systems, you should use NFS as well, as that will perform better and supports Linux permissions.