NAS Systems

Network attached data storage  Systems and servers

A network-attached storage (NAS) drive is a dedicated storage device that uses its own operating system and software to provide centralized storage and file sharing over a computer network/

There are many NAS operating systems available.  Some are proprietary products, whereas others are developed by a community of open source minded developers.  Paid-for-products don’t have to be necessarily better than free software downloads. Software licenses come with dedicated support, whereas free and open software users will have to find answers and solutions to their problems online, but this doesn’t say anything about superiority/inferiority of the products.

This website aims to provide news and howto’s with regards to the operating systems below and give tips and advice to help you decide which NAS server operating is best suited to your needs.

The title of the page “NAS Systems” is a bit ambiguous, but with servers I mainly mean “operating systems”, and in particular dedicated operating systems, i.e. sofware turning a system or server into a file server and/or home media server

This website is about NAS operating systems, though we will also pay attention to NAS storage hardware, such as products from QNAP, Linksys, D-Link, Maxtor, Buffalo, Western Digital, Buffalo etc.

You can/will find information on this website about the following network attached data storage operating systems

  • EuroNAS
  • Open-E
  • unRAID – website
  • Windows Home Server (WHS) – website

Amahi
Amahi is a free, Fedora based Home Server that provides shared storage, automated backups, secure VPN, and shared applications like calendar and wiki. Amahi Linux Home Server makes your home networking simple and manages basically the networking and backup of all the computers, game consoles and other devices in you network, and provides secure access to your network from the internet.

The core functionality available in the base Amahi HDA install includes:

  • Protect Your Computers – Backup all your networked PCs simply and easily on your home network. If one of your PCs “dies” you can easily restore it!
  • Organize Your Files - Access, share and search your files from any machine on your network, making it easy to share and find your photos, music and videos.
  • Internet Wide Access - Automatically setup your own VPN so you can access your network from anywhere: safely and securely.
  • Private Internet Applications – Shared applications like calendaring, private wiki and more to come, will help you manage your home and your family!

CryptoNAS

The CryptoNAS project wants to bring data encryption to the masses. It provides two packages: CryptoNAS-Server and CryptoNAS-CD. The CryptoNAS-Server package adds hard disk encryption to a file server (running Samba, NFS, DAV, etc.) without annoying its users. The CryptoNAS-CD is targeted at users who want to set up an encrypting file server without bothering about complicated administration issues.

EON

EON stands for Embedded Operating system/Networking. It is the first embedded Solaris ZFS (Zettabyte File System) Network Attached Storage distribution based on Opensolaris. It is a RAM based live/install image which runs from CD/DVD, USB or CFand Disk on Module. The appliance image provides a high performance 32 or 64-bit storage solution built on ZFS, using regular disks which eliminates the use of expensive RAID arrays, controllers and volume management software. EON focuses on using a small memory footprint so it can run from RAM while maximizing the remaining free memory for ZFS performance. Running from RAM adds the advantage of being one hard disk greener in power consumption and removes the OS install disk as a point of failure. And if your hardware fails, no costly measures are needed to recover your precious data. Simply attach the disks to another machine with a ZFS capable operating system or EON.

napp-it

napp-it is the first free project of a browser-managed ZFS-server. It is a perl script that you install over an OpenSolaris, Nexenta or EON installation

napp-it is targeted to be a quickly installed, ready to run and easy to use browser managed appliance server for common internet, nas and san (INS) server needs.

napp-it can be used as:

  • base system with root ssh-access via putty, winscp and midnight commander file browser
  • SMB fileserver for MAC/ WIN workgroups and windows domains (OpenSolaris CIFS)
  • NFS and iSCSI SAN and iSCSI strorage for Apple’s Time-Machine (OpenSolaris comstar)
  • Apache webserver with perl, php and gd graphic library
  • MySQL database server
  • backup server

NexentaStor

NexentaStor is an easy to use storage appliance, that harnesses the power of the ZFS filesystem. It provides enterprise class experience, with an easy to use web based interface to administer your file server. It features iSCSI support, unlimited incremental backups or ’snapshots’, snapshot mirroring (replication), block level mirroring (CDP), integrated search within ZFS snapshots and a custom API.

OpenFiler

Vortexbox

VortexBox is a free, open source, quick to install Linux distribution that turns your unused computer into an easy to use music server/jukebox.  Once VortexBox has been loaded on an a PC, it will automatically rip CDs to FLAC and MP3 files, ID3 tag the files,  and download the cover art. Vortexbox will then serve the files to network  media players such as Logitech Squeezebox, Sonos, or Linn. The music files can also be streamed to a Windows or Mac OSX system.

Alternatively, you can also buy the VortexBox appliance. It is a low power media server that can rip CDs and server them to almost any player. Like the installable PC version, the VortexBox appliance supports the Logitech family of media players, and works well with Sonos, iTunes, Linn, etc.

Commercial / Proprietary NAS solutions

EuroNAS

EuroNAS GmbH, based in Germany, is a leading provider of data storage software solutions, and has developed a have developed a reliable, high-performance, hardware-independent business-class NAS Software that helps you to turn any PC or Server into a powerful NAS Server. EuroNAS is specially designed as simple to configure, robust, feature rich and scalable software for small and medium business. Their Premium 32-bit offers the reliability of enterprise-class software in an easy to use and cost-effective package. This makes it the perfect storage for all organisations that need a scalable, hardware-independent, inexpensive solution with high levels of data security and performance.

Apart from a reasonable price/performance ratio and a self-explanatory, web-based user interface, EuroNAS should be easily to use without the need to read through a large manual first.

  • enterprise class functionality
  • easy management and monitoring
  • extreme data throughoutput
  • runs on almost any PC or Server
  • supports all important file protocolls
  • integrated user and group management
  • simple user management with Microsoft Active Directory (Windows Server 2000/2003/2008)
  • fast data throughput thans to network bonding, Jumbo Frames and 10 GB/s Adapter support
  • high redundancy thans to Raid, network failover and UPS (APC) support
  • scalable
  • event logging and E-Mail notification
  • Snapshot functionality
  • Anti virus Software embedded
  • optimized for VMware ESX, Microsoft Hyper-V and Citrix XEN
  • competent technical support with fast responce times
  • free updates and technical support

Our NAS Software ensures that your business has a flexible and reliable storage solution that protects your data and increases the productivity.
The installation and configuration takes usually only few minutes. The software is pre-configured for immediate use.

NASLite

NASLite is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) server operating system designed to transform a basic computer into a dedicated file server. Utilising  optimised versions of Samba, uCLibc, BusyBox, and various other Linux tools, it provides SMB/CIFS, FTP, or NFS filesystem support. It accommodates multiple client OSes: Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. NASLite offers SMART disk monitoring and large file support, and is incredibly easy to install and administer.

NASLite-2 is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) Server Operating System designed to transform a basic computer into a dedicated SMB/CIFS, NFS, AFP, FTP, HTTP and RSYNC file server. NASLite-2 boots from a variety of IDE, SATA SCSI, USB, FireWire or Hardware RAID devices and is intended for use in any application that requires the simultaneous availability of large amounts of fast and inexpensive networked storage. A single NASLite-2 server is capable of exporting terabytes of networked storage and can handle hundreds of networked users easily and efficiently, even when running on modest hardware.

NASLite-2 offers unsurpassed versatility allowing full access to all its storage resources. Content can be accessed simultaneously using any of the supported protocols. Fully-automated monitoring and intelligent resource management make NASLite-2 an excellent performer in high-traffic storage applications. Daily mirror backups between local or remote drives ensure data safety. High performance and low maintenance have established NASLite-2 as one of the best investments in networked storage. Using NASLite-2 is simple and a perfect solution for both home and business.

By design, NASLite-2 is a community workgroup server and does not support features such as user management, disk quotas or the ability to join domains. However, it is very easy to set-up, to administer and to use.

NASLite-M2 is a Multimedia Network Attached Storage (NAS) Server Operating System designed to transform a basic computer into a dedicated UPNP, DAAP, SMB/CIFS, NFS, AFP, FTP, HTTP and RSYNC file server. In addition to conventional networked storage capabilities, NASLite-M2 can natively stream audio and video content to both DAAP (Digital Audio Access Protocol) and UPNP (Universal Plug and Play) network clients.

DAAP clients such as iTunes and other hardware and software-based music players can now stream media from the NASLite-M2 server without the ability to natively mount exported volumes. Along the same lines, UPNP clients such as PlayStation 3, XBOX 360, Windows Media Center, etc. can also play NASLite-M2 hosted content. UPNP streaming is enhanced by profiles targeting DLNA, XBOX, PS3 and Generic media clients directly.

NASLite-M2 boots from a variety of IDE, SATA SCSI, USB, FireWire or Hardware RAID devices and is intended for use in any application that requires the simultaneous availability of large amounts of fast and inexpensive networked storage. A single NASLite-M2 server is capable of exporting terabytes of networked storage and can handle hundreds of networked users easily and efficiently, even when running on modest hardware.

NASLite-M2 offers unsurpassed versatility allowing full access to all its storage resources. Content can be accessed simultaneously using any of the supported protocols. Fully-automated monitoring and intelligent resource management make NASLite-M2 an excellent performer in high-traffic storage applications. Daily mirror backups between local or remote drives ensure data safety. High performance and low maintenance have established NASLite-M2 as one of the best investments in networked storage. Using NASLite-M2 is simple and a perfect solution for both home and business.

By design, NASLite-M2 is a community workgroup server and does not support features such as user management, disk quotas or the ability to join domains. However, it is very easy to set-up, to administer and to use.

Websites: www.serverelements.com | Freshmeat Page | Wikipedia page

NanoNAS

NanoNAS is designed to fit on a single floppy disk, NanoNAS is perhaps the most compact 32-bit NAS OS available. NanoNAS is intended for use in any low-security environment or application that requires the simultaneous availability of large amounts of inexpensive networked storage. A single NanoNAS server is capable of exporting terabytes of networked storage and is capable of handling 50 or more networked users easily and efficiently even when running on modest hardware. By design, it is a community workgroup server and does not support features such as user management, disk quotas, or the ability to join domains. However, it is very easy to set-up, to administer, and to use.

NanoNAS is v2 of the Linux distribution NASLite. For x86-based computers, with PCI interface, the entire OS fits onto a 3.5 inch floppy disk, providing a way of using the computer as network-attached storage. It supports serving files to clients running Windows, Linux or Mac OS X. Other versions are available which support different networking protocols, or booting the operating system from CD-ROM, USB Mass Storage device or hard disk drive. All versions of NASLite and its variants, contain GPL’d and proprietary components. The GPL’d components are available to the end user per the GPLv2.

NanoNAS turns its target machine into a simple file server. Since file serving takes up very little processing speed as opposed to network speed or hard drive speed, it is able to run on comparatively old computers with little processing power. As it runs from a floppy disk, hypothetically all (usually four) IDE channels can be used for harddrives. NanoNAS can also support additional IDE controller cards.
NanoNAS has two variants supporting different file serving protocols. These are Samba to support serving to Microsoft Windows client machines or AFP to serve Mac OS X computers. It also supports remote administration via telnet, and includes a web server to display usage and error logs.
Since it is based on Linux, NanoNAS (like other Linux distributions) supports new larger hard drives that often are not supported by older machines, by bypassing the BIOS and directly accessing the harddrive(s), greatly increasing the usefulness of an older computer for serving large amounts of data.
NanoNAS runs well on obsolete hardware, but requires at least a computer with PCI interface. Other minimum requirements are a Pentium CPU, 32 MB RAM, a PCI megabit ethernet card, IDE hard disk drive, and a conventional floppy disk drive.

Websites: www.serverelements.com | Freshmeat Page

unRAID

Lime Technology’s unRAID Server is an embedded Network Attached Storage server Operating System designed to boot from a USB Flash device and specifically designed for digital media storage:

  • Digital Video
  • Digital Music
  • Digital Images/Photos

Unique RAID system

unRAID Server employs a unique RAID technology which provides for great configuration flexibility:

  • Any combination of IDE and SATA hard drives may be used
  • All the hard drives do not need to be the same size or speed
  • Hard drives not being accessed may be spun down
  • Can rebuild any single failed hard drive

Incremental Storage

Unlike other RAID systems, unRAID Server supports true incremental storage expansion. You can add capacity by adding more hard drives or by upgrading existing hard drives. This is a great way to make use of older, smaller hard drives you might have laying around.

For example, you might start out by installing one or two new high capacity hard drives along with some number of smaller hard drives you already own. Later, you might decide to replace one of the smaller drives, and unRAID Server will restore the data of the smaller drive onto the new drive, and then expand the file system to incorporate the full size of the new drive.

Fault Tolerance

Similar to other RAID systems, unRAID Server permits reconstruction of a single failed hard drive. However in the unlikely event of multiple hard drive failures, data loss would be isloated to only those hard drives which failed. In traditional RAID systems, multiple simultaneous hard drive failure results in complete data loss.

Network Attached Storage

unRAID Server is compatible with Windows Networking. Individual data disks appear as disk shares under My Network Places. In addition, unRAID Server provides a composite view of all your storage through the use of User shares.

User shares permit you to view your storage as if it were one large file system, even though each data disk has it’s own file system. This lets you define share names such as Movies, Video, Photos, etc. whose actual contents are spread out among multiple hard drives.

Installed On A USB Flash Storage Device

unRAID server is designed to be installed on, and boot from, a USB Flash Storage device. All configuration data is also kept on the Flash; the hard drives are only used to store user data.

From wikipedia (unRAID):

“LimeTech’s UnRAID solution is a system that is best compared with RAID3/RAID4, but without striping. Data drives are kept in normal reiserfs format, but a ’smart’ parity drive emulates the function that striping plays in RAID3 and RAID4 with a specialized data structure. File pointers on the parity drive combine files on the various drives into virtual stripes which then get parity data. The checksum of reads are checked against the checksum of this parity data (and reconstructed using all drives if incorrect), and writes create new parity information.

There are three main advantages to this approach.

  1. The data drives are readable and writeable on any system, separated from their array – the system itself can always fail without harming the array.
  2. Different-sized drives are usable.
  3. Partial recovery is possible if the number of failures exceeds the number of parity disks (usually one in their LimeTech’s systems so far). Based on GPL code which is distributed but not supported or distributed in binary, the solution was popularized on AVS Forums & has a measure of support in the Linux community via a wiki. As such, it is highly suited to cheap, simple, expandable archival storage, similar to the more extreme write-once, read occasionally usage case.

Disadvantages include being significantly slower than any single disk in both read and write, being extremely slow during drive rebuild, filesystem overhead(additional checksums are required if the parity-drive is to avoid querying the other disks to check the data disks in use), harsh scaling problems in computation overhead with many drives, and the main problem, that the parity drive has a much larger IO burden than the other drives (reducing reliability) & may bottleneck operations when multiple drives are used concurrently. The parity drive must also be at least as large as any single drive in order to provide protection. UNRAID is implemented as an add-on to the Linux MD layer.”

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