PROJECT
DIY NAS
| Jeethan Tauro | AUTHOR | ACTIVE |
| Varsha Shubhashri.M | COORDINATOR | ACTIVE |
💻 Raspberry Pi Network Attached Storage (NAS) System
Project Objective:
To design, build, and configure a cost-effective and portable Network Attached Storage (NAS) solution using a Raspberry Pi 4 for centralized file storage and easy access across multiple devices connected to the same network.
Platform: Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB RAM)
Operating System: Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit)
NAS Software: OpenMediaVault (OMV)
1. Hardware and Software Requirements
The project utilized readily available, low-power components to create a reliable and efficient NAS device.
1.1 Hardware Components
- Raspberry Pi 5: Chosen for its gigabit Ethernet port and USB 3.0 support, offering high-speed data transfers.
- Storage: A high-speed USB 3.0 External Hard Drive (or SSD) was used for data storage.
- Accessories: Micro SD card for the OS, power adapter, and an Ethernet cable (preferred over Wi-Fi for improved stability and performance).
1.2 Software Stack
| Category | Software Used | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Base OS | Raspberry Pi OS Lite | Lightweight, command-line based Linux distribution. |
| NAS Core | OpenMediaVault (OMV) | Provides a web-based interface for managing NAS functionalities (file systems, users, and network shares). |
2. NAS Implementation (OpenMediaVault Configuration)
The NAS setup included preparing the operating system, enabling remote access, and configuring storage and shared folders.
2.1 Headless OS Setup
- Imager Tool: Used the Raspberry Pi Imager to flash Raspberry Pi OS Lite onto the SD card.
- Pre-Configuration: Enabled SSH and set the default
piuser password using advanced settings (Ctrl + Shift + X) in the Imager tool. - Headless Operation: The system was booted and accessed remotely via SSH, eliminating the need for a monitor or keyboard.
2.2 OMV Installation and System Updates
- Remote Access: Connected to the Pi via SSH using its DHCP-assigned IP address.
- System Update: Updated packages using:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
- OMV Installation: Installed OpenMediaVault using the official installation script, which automated setup and configuration.
2.3 Storage and Sharing Configuration
- Accessing Web Interface: Logged into the OMV dashboard via
http://. - Drive Setup: The external USB drive was detected, mounted, and formatted (preferably as EXT4) under Storage > File Systems.
- Shared Folder Creation: A dedicated shared folder was created on the mounted drive. The pi user was granted read/write permissions.
- Network Protocols: Enabled and configured SMB/CIFS (for Windows) and NFS (for Linux/macOS) to make the shared folder accessible across devices.
3. Testing and Verification
- Verified that the NAS could be accessed from multiple devices on the local network.
- Successfully performed file read/write operations from both Windows and Linux clients.
- Tested transfer speeds over gigabit Ethernet to ensure optimal performance.
- Observed stable network connections and minimal latency during file transfers.
4. Conclusion
This project successfully transformed a Raspberry Pi 5 into a functional and efficient Network Attached Storage (NAS) system. The setup offers centralized file storage, simple web-based management, and seamless file access over the network — all while maintaining low power consumption and cost-effectiveness.
It demonstrates how open-source tools like OpenMediaVault (OMV) can turn affordable hardware into a reliable storage and backup solution suitable for both personal and small office environments.