There are some excellent operating systems designed specifically to run Network-Attached Storage (NAS), but almost any operating system with a shareable file system will do. A NAS is simply a device that stores data and allows other hardware to connect to it over the network. All you need is an Ubuntu installation, file sharing protocols (SMB or NFS), and some network rules, and you're good to go! But why should you choose Ubuntu over TrueNAS SCALE, Unraid, OpenMediaVault, or another NAS operating system? Here are some reasons why you might want to use this popular Debian-based Linux distribution.
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Which NAS operating system is your favorite?
Over the past few months, I've spent a lot of time testing unique operating systems, including ones specifically designed for home-built NAS setups. I've even conducted experiments with several NAS devices, from the Aiffro K100 all-flash NAS to makeshift storage solutions made from old PC and server parts. However, I always find myself coming back to TrueNAS Scale. I'll admit that I'm not particularly keen on the lack of support for non-ZFS file systems – and the recent Truecharts fiasco was a huge disappointment for a container-loving person like me.
Despite all its flaws, TrueNAS Scale is still my favorite NAS operating system. Not only does it offer rock-solid performance, but it's also great for high-end RAID setups that require multiple drives and can handle most virtualization tasks I throw at it like a champ. But what about you? Do you have a NAS operating system you don't want to part with?
1 Great hardware support
Run Ubuntu on almost any device
Ubuntu runs on practically anything. I'm talking about NUCs, high-end gaming PCs, servers, or single-board computers (SBCs). The operating system supports a wide range of hardware, both old and new. Official drivers are available from vendors like Nvidia and AMD for chipsets and GPUs. And if there's no official support, chances are someone from the community has created software to make it all work. The beauty of running a NAS is that you don't need any fancy hardware that won't work with Ubuntu, as you only need the operating system, some drives, file transfer protocols, and that's it. Docker containers and other software can be installed easily.
2 Learn Linux (and the CLI)
Apt is your new best friend
The command line interface (CLI or terminal) is a commonly used tool for Linux power users. There are many reasons why it's worth using even for beginners. Running simple commands like ping, apt update/upgrade, and wget can get you certain results, but you can also be as advanced as you want. The CLI is a powerful interface that removes all the GUI bells and whistles that might hinder you from doing what you want. You learn new ways to solve problems. Scripts can be created (and automated) in ways that many graphical interfaces don't support. Think of it as the same reason you might prefer using keyboard shortcuts to navigating context menus.
3 Easy to install for beginners
Go from nobody to hero
Ubuntu is often considered one of the best Linux distributions for beginners, largely due to its Debian foundation, Ubuntu development, and GNOME environment. It's incredibly easy to install on a system. All you need is a USB drive, similar to Windows, but you can boot the drive, which will load Ubuntu. This lets you test how the operating system works on your chosen hardware, although it won't be as responsive or feature-rich as a full installation on a local drive. That's the magic of Linux. It's incredibly lightweight, yet powerful enough to run virtually anything your imagination can conjure up.
If you stick with Ubuntu, you'll be up and running in no time. The operating system's installation wizard is seamless, and the official Ubuntu community forum is a goldmine of information and how-to guides. A quick Google search can even yield useful commands and quick solutions to help you avoid problems.
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4 Graphical interface
See what you are working with
The Ubuntu 23.10 desktop.
Although I mentioned the terminal as a reason why you should use Ubuntu as a NAS to learn how to set up scripts and run commands, the GUI is still a good alternative, especially if you're just starting out. Sometimes you don't want to use the CLI and would rather launch software that can be managed with a mouse and keyboard. Many packages on Ubuntu have a GUI, including Docker container managers. Using a GUI also allows others at home or in the office to easily change or fix things without touching the terminal, which they may not be familiar with.
5 Use the NAS as a PC
Install all your favorite apps and games
Since we're using the desktop version of Ubuntu to run the NAS, we can use it as a PC. As long as you don't mind the system being constantly active, you can play all your favorite PC games, browse websites, watch movies, and work all day on the same machine that delivers data to other hardware on the LAN. With the power of virtual machines, you can separate instances on the same Ubuntu installation, just like you would network clients using a VLAN.
6 Upgrade the NAS to run other services
Ubuntu, Debian, Linux
Linux is the backbone of the server network. When you connect to an online game, website, or other online service, there's a very good chance the server is running Linux. LAMP stands for Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP. It's the simplest form of a web server and allows you to create and deploy online software that can be accessed through browsers. Everything can be installed on Ubuntu with a few commands and you'll have a NAS and a web server running on the same box. Want to start a Minecraft server where you can play around with friends? That's possible too!
With Ubuntu, you could create a powerful server instance that can handle much more than just file storage.