Turn ANY PC Into A NAS With OpenMediaVault

4 min read 10 months ago
Published on Sep 08, 2024 This response is partially generated with the help of AI. It may contain inaccuracies.

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to transform any PC into a Network Attached Storage (NAS) system using OpenMediaVault. This lightweight, Debian-based operating system allows you to manage your network storage efficiently, offering features like RAID support, file sharing, and a user-friendly web dashboard. Whether you have an old laptop, desktop, or want to set it up in a virtual machine, this guide will walk you through the entire process.

Step 1: Gather Requirements

Before starting, ensure you have the following:

  • A PC with at least two hard drives (for storage).
  • A USB drive (at least 4 GB) to create a bootable installer.
  • Optional: Virtualization software like VirtualBox if you prefer to run OpenMediaVault in a virtual environment.

Step 2: Prepare the Installation Media

  1. Download the OpenMediaVault ISO from the OpenMediaVault website.
  2. Use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive
    • Insert your USB drive.
    • Open Rufus and select the downloaded ISO file.
    • Choose your USB drive and click on "Start" to create the bootable media.

Step 3: Setup for PC Installation

  1. Insert the bootable USB drive into the PC you want to turn into a NAS.
  2. Boot from the USB drive (you may need to change the boot order in BIOS).
  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to install OpenMediaVault.

Step 4: Setup for Virtual Machines

  1. Open VirtualBox and create a new virtual machine.
  2. Allocate resources (at least 1 GB of RAM and 2 CPUs).
  3. Use the OpenMediaVault ISO as the startup disk.
  4. Follow the installation prompts similar to the PC setup.

Step 5: Installing OpenMediaVault

  1. Choose the installation method (install on the primary hard drive).
  2. Set up your partitions as prompted; it’s recommended to use GUID Partition Table (GPT) for modern systems.
  3. Complete the installation and remove the USB drive when prompted.

Step 6: Accessing the Dashboard

  1. After installation, OpenMediaVault will provide an IP address.
  2. Open a web browser and navigate to that IP address.
  3. Log in using the default credentials
    • Username: admin
    • Password: openmediavault

Step 7: Change Hostname and Domain

  1. Navigate to System > Network > Hostname.
  2. Change the hostname and domain as desired.
  3. Save the changes.

Step 8: Configure Dashboard Home

  1. Customize your dashboard appearance by adding or removing widgets according to your preferences.

Step 9: Installing Updates

  1. Go to System > Update Management.
  2. Check for updates and install them to ensure your system is secure.

Step 10: Reboot OpenMediaVault

  1. After updates, reboot your system to apply changes.

Step 11: Set Up Disks

  1. Go to Storage > Disks.
  2. Identify the disks you want to use, and select them.
  3. Format and mount the disks as needed.

Step 12: Enable File Sharing with SMB

  1. Navigate to Services > SMB/CIFS.
  2. Enable the service and configure settings such as workgroup.
  3. Save the configuration.

Step 13: Create Users

  1. Go to Access Rights Management > User.
  2. Add users who will access the NAS and set their permissions.

Step 14: Create Shared Folders

  1. Navigate to Access Rights Management > Shared Folders.
  2. Create a new shared folder, specify the disk, and set permissions.
  3. Save the shared folder configuration.

Step 15: Access Shares on Windows

  1. Open File Explorer and type in the NAS IP address (e.g., \192.168.1.100).
  2. Enter your username and password when prompted.

Step 16: Access File Shares in Linux

  1. Use the command:
    smb://192.168.1.100
    
  2. Enter your credentials to access shared folders.

Step 17: Utilize Recycle Bin

  1. Enable the recycle bin feature in the shared folder settings to recover deleted files.

Step 18: Create Snapshots

  1. Navigate to Storage > Snapshots.
  2. Schedule or create snapshots to back up your shared folders.

Step 19: Access OpenMediaVault File System in Debian

  1. If you're running Debian, you can access the filesystem via the terminal.
  2. Use the command:
    sudo mount /dev/sdX /mnt
    
    Replace /dev/sdX with your actual device name.

Step 20: Upgrade from Within Debian

  1. Use the command:
    sudo apt update
    sudo apt upgrade
    
    This ensures that your system is up-to-date.

Step 21: First Aide Command

  1. In case of issues, you can use:
    omv-firstaid
    
    This command helps troubleshoot and fix common problems.

Step 22: Installing Additional Software

  1. If you need additional software, you can install it using the command:
    sudo apt install [package-name]
    
    Ensure it doesn’t interfere with OpenMediaVault.

Conclusion

You have successfully set up your own NAS using OpenMediaVault. With features like file sharing, RAID support, and snapshots, you now have a powerful storage solution for your network. Consider exploring additional plugins or features as you become more comfortable with OpenMediaVault. Enjoy managing your files securely and efficiently!