Install & Configure openmediavault (omv6) | DIY NAS Part 3 - Software

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the installation and configuration of openmediavault (OMV6), a lightweight and user-friendly NAS software. Whether you're looking to repurpose old hardware or simply want a DIY storage solution, this step-by-step guide will help you set up your own Network Attached Storage system efficiently.

Step 1: Download Necessary Software

• Go to the openmediavault website to download the latest version of OMV.
• Download Etcher, a tool used to create bootable USB drives.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Stick

• Insert a USB stick (at least 4GB) into your computer.
• Open Etcher and select the OMV image file you downloaded.
• Choose your USB stick as the target.
• Click on "Flash" to create the bootable USB drive.

Step 3: Choose the OS Drive

• Connect the USB stick to the machine you want to install OMV on.
• Boot from the USB stick by entering the BIOS/UEFI settings and changing the boot order if necessary.

Step 4: Install the Operating System

• Follow the on-screen prompts to install OMV.
• Select the target drive for installation (usually a dedicated hard drive).
• Confirm installation and let the process complete.

Step 5: Access the Web GUI

• Once the installation is complete, remove the USB stick and reboot.
• Access the OMV web interface by entering its IP address in your web browser (default is usually http://<your-ip-address>).

Step 6: Set a Static IP Address

• In the web GUI, navigate to the Network settings.
• Set a static IP address to ensure your NAS has a consistent network presence.

Step 7: Install OMV-Extras Plugin

• Go to the Plugins section in the web GUI.
• Install the "OMV-Extras.org" plugin to access additional features and plugins.

Step 8: Install Drives

• Go to the Storage section and add your hard drives.
• Format the drives if necessary, ensuring they are ready for use.

Step 9: Install Flashmemory Plugin

• In the Plugins section, search for and install the "flashmemory" plugin to help manage the life of your USB stick.

Step 10: Install SnapRAID and mergerFS Plugins

• Locate and install the "snapraid" and "mergerFS" plugins from the Plugins section.
• These plugins will help manage data redundancy and pooling.

Step 11: Configure OMV

• Set up your administrative preferences in the Settings section.
• Configure update management to keep your system secure.

Step 12: Set Up Drives

• Create shared folders on the drives you've set up.
• Format drives to the EXT4 filesystem for optimal performance.

Step 13: Configure mergerFS Pool

• In the Storage section, set up a mergerFS pool to combine multiple drives into one logical volume.

Step 14: Configure SnapRAID

• Follow the setup wizard for SnapRAID to configure redundancy and data protection.
• Regularly schedule manual syncs to keep your data safe.

Step 15: Set Up S.M.A.R.T.

• Enable S.M.A.R.T. monitoring to keep track of your drives' health.
• Set alerts for any issues that arise.

Step 16: Set Up Users

• Create user accounts in the User Management section.
• Assign permissions based on your needs for shared folders.

Step 17: Create a Shared Folder

• Create a shared folder using the mergerFS pool.
• Assign appropriate user permissions for access.

Step 18: Set Up Network Services

• Enable SMB/CIFS for Windows sharing and NFS for Linux sharing.
• Configure any additional network services as needed.

Step 19: Access and Copy Files to the NAS

• Use File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) to access your shared folders.
• Copy files to the NAS as needed.

Step 20: Manual Sync with SnapRAID

• Run manual syncs in SnapRAID to ensure data redundancy is up to date.

Step 21: Configure Notifications

• Set up notifications for system alerts, updates, and any issues that may arise.

Step 22: Configure Dashboard and Updates

• Customize your dashboard for easy access to important metrics.
• Regularly check for updates to ensure your NAS is secure and running smoothly.

Conclusion

You have successfully installed and configured openmediavault as your DIY NAS solution. With features like redundancy, user management, and network services, your NAS is ready for use. As next steps, consider exploring additional plugins or optimizing your setup based on your specific needs. Enjoy your new network storage system!