In recent years, I have mostly used NAS from Synology as my home storage solution. These come with a stylish interface and can be configured easily but also extensively. Unfortunately, they are also comparatively expensive.
At some point I stumbled across the Open Media Vault (OMV) project. This is a package that can be installed on Linux systems (including the Raspberry Pi) and provides the typical services required for a NAS. OMV and its functions can also be configured relatively easily via a web interface.
After a few months of testing, I have now decided to switch completely to Open Media Vault. Why?
- The recovery time of the SMB / Windows share server is significantly better or faster than with my Synology NAS. Where you used to have to wait a relatively long time for the data to be accessible via a network share, this simply works with OMV
- The (possible) range of functions with OMV is greater than with the Synology NAS thanks to the Docker integration
- The setup based on a RaspberryPi makes the system much cheaper
- Since the Raspberry Pi 4, the data throughput on the network port is no longer limited by an internal USB hub. This means that quite high / typical NAS transfer rates can be achieved
I printed the case shown below so that I could still assemble the Raspberry Pi and hard disk unit in a reasonably compact way. This allows the Raspberry Pi to be stowed together with a 2.5″ hard disk in a compact housing. Then all you have to do is connect the power supply to the Raspberry Pi and the self-built NAS is ready for use.
How you can install the Raspberry Pi together with the 2.5″ hard disk in this housing is described in the following article.
Safety instructions
I know the following notes are always kind of annoying and seem unnecessary. Unfortunately, many people who knew "better" have lost eyes, fingers or other things due to carelessness or injured themselves. Data loss is almost negligible in comparison, but even these can be really annoying. Therefore, please take five minutes to read the safety instructions. Because even the coolest project is not worth injury or other trouble.
https://www.nerdiy.de/sicherheitshinweise/
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Requirements
Helpful articles:
Before you start with this article, you should have prepared a RaspberryPi so that it can be reached via the network and controlled via SSH.
The following articles describe what needs to be done to prepare the RaspberryPi.
- RaspberryPi – setup for nerdiys!
- RaspberryPi – The first configuration!
- RaspberryPi – Control the RaspberryPi via SSH
In the following lists you will find all the parts you need to implement this article.
Required tool:
| Number | Link |
|---|---|
| 1x | Screwdriver set Buy at Amazon |
| 1x | SD card reader Buy at Amazon |
Required material:
The required parts
Below you will find an overview of the components required for the assembly.
You will need the following materials for the assembly:
- 3D printed base
- 3D printed Raspberry Pi holder
- 6x M3x10 countersunk head screw
- 4x M2.5×6 countersunk head screw
- 6x threaded insert
- Raspberry Pi 4
- External 2.5″ hard disk
- USB cable
- Power supply unit for Raspberry Pi
- Micro SD card >16GB
The STL files for printing on your 3D printer can be found in the repository at the following link.
Prepare the housing
First, you should start by inserting the threaded inserts into the 3D printed housing.
You will need six M3 threaded inserts for this.
Other view.
Then place it on the tip of a soldering iron and slowly melt it into the 3D printed housing.
Other view.
The inserted thread insert should then look something like this.
Other view.
Other view.
Other view.
Other view.
Mount the Raspberry Pi on the prepared housing
Now you can attach the Raspberry Pi to the housing.
For this you will need the following parts.
- Raspberry Pi (of course)
- The lower shell of the Raspberry Pi housing
- 4x M3x10 countersunk head screws
- 4x M2.5×6 countersunk head screws
Another view of the required materials.
Now screw the bottom shell of the Raspberry Pi housing to the prepared housing using the M3x10 countersunk screw.
Other view.
Repeat this for all four mounting options until the bottom shell of the Raspberry Pi housing is attached to the 3D printed housing of the NAS with four screws.
Other view.
Other view.
Now you can insert the Raspberry Pi into the bottom shell of the housing...
...and fasten with the four M2.5×6 screws in the lower shell.
Other view.
Other view.
Once the Raspberry Pi is attached, you can now attach the top shell of the Raspberry Pi housing and screw it in place.
You will need the upper shell and 4x M3x16 countersunk screws.
Further view of the required screws.
So place the top shell on the prepared housing and ...
... screw it into the lower shell of the housing using the screws.
Another view of the finished screwed housing.
Another view of the finished screwed housing.
Install 2.5″ hard disk
The only thing missing in your Raspberry Pi NAS is the hard disk.
I created the housing so that any external 2.5″ hard disk should actually fit into the housing.
I use a 4TB hard disk from Toshiba for my NAS. I have linked a suitable link to this in the material list above.
Then insert the hard disk into the housing with the USB port facing upwards. The USB port of the hard disk and the ports of the Raspberry Pi should therefore point in the same direction.
Other view.
Other view.
Then connect the USB cable to the hard disk.
Other view.
To give the hard disk a slightly better hold in the housing, you now need a piece of foam cut to size. (Often included as protective material in mailings).
Cut the foam to size and insert it into the housing of your NAS so that the hard disk is "gently" fixed in place once the cover has been screwed on.
Other view.
Other view.
Now you can fix the hard disk in the housing by putting on the cover and screwing it on.
Another view of the parts needed.
Place the cover on the NAS as shown and ...
...fixes it with two screws.
Other view.
Another view of the fully assembled Raspberry Pi NAS.
Another view of the fully assembled Raspberry Pi NAS.
Configure Raspberry Pi as Network Attached Storage / NAS
The hardware part of your Raspberry Pi NAS is now ready. Of course, the software component is still missing, i.e. Open Media Vault respectively OMV.
I have described tips on how to install and configure OMV on your Raspberry Pi in the following article or category.
- RaspberryPi – Install OpenMediaVault / OMV on the RaspberryPi
- https://nerdiy.de/category/raspberry-pi/open-media-vault/
Have fun with the project
I hope everything worked as described for you. If not or you have questions or suggestions please let me know in the comments. I will then add this to the article if necessary.
Ideas for new projects are always welcome. 🙂
PS Many of these projects - especially the hardware projects - cost a lot of time and money. Of course I do this because I enjoy it, but if you think it's cool that I share the information with you, I would be happy about a small donation to the coffee fund. 🙂
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