Let’s face it: as photographers, we’re crazy about saving our files. I have terabytes of images and videos spread across multiple hard drives in different arrays of my studio, and it’s driving me nuts because it’s messy. Maybe you’re in the same boat, looking for a better way to securely store all your important photos in one place.
The problem is that solutions are not available that offer very limited customization, upgrade or even overhaul, and cloud storage is extremely expensive in bulk. So, is there a product that can achieve these goals while remaining competitive on price?
In this video by Technical tips Linus, it looks like they found the diamond in its rough form. By using a small ITX box with the footprint of a shoebox, they were able to create a 5-Bay network-attached storage (NAS) box at a price competitive with any similar pre-built solution. from older brands. You’ll see the components they’ve selected, which is overkill, as well as complete instructions for the entire build. However, the most important is the section near the bottom where they show the installation and setup of TrueNAS, the free operating system software. At the end of the project, they have a working 100 TB NAS array that is fully usable, customizable and upgradable, once again competing with the prices of current analog enclosures.
As a DIYer, I love this video. I don’t currently have a NAS array for my storage needs as I can never spend money on a pre-built solution. This video highlights that it is possible to make your own NAS using this unique case. I especially appreciated the section on setting up TrueNAS. I think as a computer geek, I don’t know the first thing about setting up software for a server like this. But the steps they outlined look very easy to understand, and the LTT forums are full of people who are helpful if I get stuck along the way.
