the FrankeNAS - (Raspberry Pi, Zima Board, Dell Server, Ugreen) // a CEPH Tutorial

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through building a FrankeNAS using Ceph, an open-source software-defined storage system. By repurposing old hardware like Raspberry Pi, Zima Board, or Dell Server, you can create a scalable and fault-tolerant storage solution that rivals enterprise systems. This guide is suitable for both home lab enthusiasts and IT professionals looking to enhance their data management skills.

Step 1: Understanding Ceph

• What is Ceph?

  • Ceph is a distributed storage system that provides object, block, and file storage in a unified system.
  • It allows for high availability and scalability, making it ideal for both small and large deployments.

• Why Use Ceph?

  • Fault tolerance: Ceph can withstand hardware failures without losing data.
  • Scalability: Easily add more storage nodes as your needs grow.
  • Cost-effective: Utilize old hardware instead of investing in expensive enterprise solutions.

Step 2: Preparing Your Hardware

• Gather Your Equipment

  • Raspberry Pi, Zima Board, or Dell Server.
  • Ensure the devices have accessible network connectivity.

• Check Hardware Specifications

  • Minimum requirements include:
    • At least 2GB of RAM.
    • Sufficient storage space (HDD or SSD).

• Install Necessary Operating Systems

  • Recommended OS: Ubuntu Server or CentOS.
  • Install the OS on each device before proceeding.

Step 3: Setting Up the Ceph Cluster

• Install Ceph

  • Use the following commands to install Ceph on your nodes:

    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install ceph-deploy
    

• Create a New Cluster

  • Use the following commands to create a new Ceph cluster:

    mkdir my-cluster
    cd my-cluster
    ceph-deploy new <monitor-node>
    

• Install Ceph on All Nodes

  • Execute the following command:

    ceph-deploy install <node1> <node2> <node3>
    

Step 4: Configuring the Ceph Cluster

• Create Initial Monitor and OSDs

  • Deploy the monitor:

    ceph-deploy mon create-initial
    

  • Prepare and activate OSDs:

    ceph-deploy osd create --data /dev/sdX <node>
    

• Set Up Ceph Manager

  • Deploy the Ceph Manager to handle cluster management:

    ceph-deploy mgr create <node>
    

Step 5: Creating Storage Pools

• Create a Pool

  • To create a new pool, run:

    ceph osd pool create <pool-name> <pg-num>
    

• Adjust Pool Settings

  • Set the size and rules for data replication:

    ceph osd pool set <pool-name> size <number-of-replicas>
    

Step 6: Mounting Ceph on Linux

• Install Required Packages

  • Ensure you have the necessary packages for mounting:

    sudo apt install ceph-fuse
    

• Mount the Ceph File System

  • Use the following command to mount the Ceph file system:

    ceph-fuse -m <monitor-ip>:6789 /mnt/myceph
    

Conclusion

You've successfully built a FrankeNAS using Ceph, turning old hardware into a flexible and scalable storage solution. Key steps included understanding Ceph, preparing your hardware, setting up the cluster, configuring it, creating storage pools, and finally mounting the Ceph file system. For further exploration, consider integrating Ceph with other services like Proxmox or exploring advanced configuration options. Happy storing!