Why build your own NAS#
I previously had a pre-built NAS (JiKong Z4), although I had no issues using it, I gradually realized...
- I never used the built-in features (such as JiYingShi, JiXiangCe...)
- The machine has built-in LAN penetration but cannot freely configure the address, it can only penetrate the machine's built-in features
- I already have a public IP for v4/v6, so I don't need LAN penetration at all
- I don't have root access to the machine, so I can't fully control the system
- The built-in Docker only supports GUI operations, and updating the container's image version requires a complex deletion and recreation process
Overall, in my understanding, this machine has become: a machine that I only use as a Docker launcher, but the experience of using Docker is extremely poor, which made me have the idea of changing machines. Coincidentally, a colleague mentioned it recently, and I couldn't resist the urge to buy it.
Use cases#
My NAS has the following use cases:
- Media server (emby, jellyfin, etc.)
- Game server (Minecraft, Don't Starve, etc.)
- Remote development server (providing x86 environment for ARM-based Mac)
- Unexpected other use cases (such as software router, backup server, etc.)
Configuration selection#
I don't have much knowledge about hardware, but because I have the need for a game server and remote development, I'll choose a better CPU and 32GB of RAM should be enough, and other components can be chosen randomly. The final configuration is as follows:
| Component | Price |
|---|---|
| JINBADA 3200 Memory 16G * 2 | 356 |
| Qiaosibo N2 Chassis | 551 |
| FANXIANG 1TB SSD | 297 |
| TT 450W Fully Modular SFX Power Supply | 422 |
| LIMIN AXP90-X53 Fan | 199 |
| MINGXIN H610 ITX Motherboard + i5 12400 | 1489 |
| Total | 3314 |
Assembly#
The first thing I received was the chassis and power supply, and the chassis looks pretty good:
Connect the power supply for the motherboard, CPU, and hard drive backplane of the chassis, and then put it into the chassis:
Then the other components arrived, and I continued with the assembly:
First, install the CPU:
Then insert the memory modules:
Install the M.2 drive:
Attach a fan to the CPU:
Secure the motherboard to the chassis:
Connect the power cables:
Without closing the chassis, power it on to check for any issues:
Successfully booted into the system drive, assembly is complete!
System installation#
As a loyal user of Arch Linux, there is no doubt that I chose Arch Linux as the NAS system, and I chose the btrfs file system.
With the availability of archinstall, manual configuration is no longer needed. Just select the options and click install. Here are my selections:
I chose Network Manager for Network configuration, but I forgot to take a photo after making the change. The other options are the same.
Wait for the installation process to complete, then manually reboot: