Today about TrueNAS. That is, how to create our own server for all our data that we continually create.

 

What is TrueNAS?

It is the system for the network drive. That is, it is what we upload to our server and allows us to upload data to it. Until recently, two branches of TrueNAS were maintained. There was TrueNAS and FreeNAS. FreeNAS was the free version of TrueNAS, but for some time FreeNAS has been TrueNAS CORE.

 

There are many similar systems. Some Synology or similar such systems, where we buy a box from Synology, put the disks inside and it works for us as a network drive. Generally the functionality is the same, but in the case of TrueNAS the advantage is that we can upload the operating system to virtually any computer or server we already have or purchase.

 

TrueNAS advantages

As I mentioned before, it is a place where we can keep our videos, photos, corporate data, share them with family, colleagues. The big advantage of TrueNAS, is that it uses a particular OpenZFS as its file system. OpenZFS is a file system that has a lot of advantages, but is not as easy to work with in configuration, as if it has its tricks. TrueNas, on the other hand, is a very cool overlay that just uses OpenZFS. Why is OpenZFS cool? Because he underneath, kind of natively will handle for us the encryption of the data on these drives, that is, even if someone pulls out these drives for us then, still without passwords and data, he is not able to get to them. So we still have full confidentiality. Built-in Raid, that is, support for multiple drives. Snapshots is a sensational solution to the current scourge that is randsomware, also natively supported by both across TrueNAS and across ZFS. That is, if we have our data there and snapshot it regularly, we will be able to restore data from some time ago relatively easily with a few clicks. In addition, it supports data replication between servers, scalable to dozens of disks. It really is a great solution for both small and commercial applications. Of interest: as if natively, you will be able to use an application like Nextcloud with a few clicks. It is an open source replacement for Drobox. There's also Zone Minder which means it will be possible to make a server for cameras out of our NASA. No additional devices will be needed for this. The cameras will record the data there and it will be possible to play it back later. Of interest, also with a few clicks on TrueNas you can install a server Mine Craft. It can also come in handy. Let's just remember one thing, that admittedly TrueNAS is a great solution, this ZFS makes these drives really resistant to removal, to replacement, to failure of a single drive. But let's not forget that even the best server has to have copies of data somewhere. A disk can burn out, and a computer can be stolen.

 

TueNAS requirements

They recommend a dual-core processor, 64-bit or AMD, 16 GB RAM, 16 GB SSD and two identical drives for storage, for data storage. Admittedly, for test installations, for small amounts of data at home should be enough. Such a minimum installation is 8GB RAM, in fact, not one, but there must be two disks. In practice, for really small installations, home or very small offices, you can even use USB as embedded drives. And, of course, a minimum of two disks for data storage.

 

Now we are moving on to testing. With that, let's go to the instructional video on YT.