Is FreeNAS a file server?

FreeNAS offers a stable platform for home and office use. From a simple file server to a connected media hub, it’s possible to configure FreeNAS to perform a variety of tasks on behalf of other PCs on the same network. Thankfully, to install the OS, it doesn’t require much time or knowledge.

Does FreeNAS run on Windows?

FreeNAS supports sharing protocols for all major operating systems including CIFS/SMB (Windows), AFP (Apple), and NFS (Unix).

Does FreeNAS really need 8GB RAM?

FreeNAS requires 8 GB of RAM for the base configuration. If you are using plugins and/or jails, 12GB is a better starting point. ZFS does require a base level of RAM to be stable, and the amount of RAM it needs to be stable does grow with the size of the storage. 8GB of RAM will get you through the 24TB range.

Is Unraid worth the price?

Unraid is a better choice if you’re willing to spend money in exchange for easier setup. If you’re willing to handle more of the setup yourself, FreeNAS can save you some cash. Just keep in mind that if you’re using more modest hardware, Unraid is likely to be a much better option.

Is Unraid a hypervisor?

Unraid runs as a virtualization host, leveraging a hypervisor to partition resources to virtualized guests in a secure and isolated manner. VMs can be assigned a wider array of resources than Docker containers but still offer isolated access.

How can I access NAS away from home?

To connect to your NAS device from somewhere outside your home, you’d need to know your network’s external IP address, which can change. In this case, a better option is to use Dynamic DNS, which assigns a web address to your home network. Look for the Dynamic DNS section in your router’s management page.

Is it possible to use FreeNAS as a file server?

From a simple file server to a connected media hub, it’s possible to configure FreeNAS to perform a variety of tasks on behalf of other PCs on the same network. Thankfully, to install the OS, it doesn’t require much time or knowledge. What is FreeNAS and why should you use it?

Do you need a NAS for file sharing?

If I’m not mistaken, even the Macs can access the windows file shares. A NAS server would add another level of (unwanted) authentication. I am rather inclined to use just Windows file sharing. I don’t need a media server. Am I missing anything here?

Can you use Hyper-V on top of FreeNAS?

You can virtualize your file share on top of Hyper-V to give yourself more backup and fail-over options. Can you do that with FreeNAS? Two things I would never consider…. FreeNAS or old Windows. How did you come up with these two terrible choices as your only two?

Is there a difference between Unraid and FreeNAS?

Unraid and FreeNAS are not server operating systems. They are in a nutshell NAS based storage management systems. You could always go open source with some flavor of Linux server based OS, but the learning curve is pretty steep. Was this post helpful?