While some extol the virtues of ZFS and others find little gain, the general consensus is that ZFS provides better protection against data corruption. The features are also Unix-oriented, so those used to friendlier interfaces targeted to Windows and Mac users may have some trouble getting accustomed to the interface.Īlso, FreeNAS uses the ZFS file system versus the Linux-based EXT4 file system that's in most other SMB NAS devices. Really, anyone that's used to working with networking devices and NASes should have little to no issue with its setup.Īs mentioned, the FreeNAS uses software based on FreeBSD. Any of these folks should be able to easily find what DHCP-IP address is assigned to the FreeNAS and then connect to its management GUI via a browser, which is what I did. But even if you don't use the console setup-remember that the FreeNAS Mini is tailored for power users and IT. This is an easier process because you don't have to go through the hassle of connecting the NAS to a monitor. After you have the IP address, you can open a browser, point to that IP address and configure the NAS. This is bundled software that typically comes with a NAS that will tell you what the IP address of the NAS is once it's connected to your network. Most other NASes let you locate, connect to, and configure your NAS with a desktop network finder. When the NAS boots, the console screen displays and walks users through the initial setup. The NAS is connected to a monitor (using an included DVI-VGA adapter) and then to a network. The guide provides instructions on setting up the NAS via a console screen. To set up, a Quick Start Guide is included in the packaging. Disk installation is tool-less and easy but the NAS needed a restart before the drives were recognized and displayed in the interface-something I've not encountered after installing drives in other NASes. I installed four 3TB Western Digital Red disks that iXsystems shipped with the FreeNAS. The only indicators on the device are a blue LED that lights when the system is fully booted and another LED that flashes red when there is a problem with a drive (as I discovered when I pulled a drive with the NAS running to test drive recovery). A company representative did state that customers can request a second or third Ethernet card added built-to-order. It would be better, perhaps, if iXsystems lost the more antiquated ports like FireWire and added a second LAN port by default. Most SMB NASes with similar specs ship with dual Ethernet ports for link aggregation or link failover. Ironically, with all of these ports, there is only Gigabit Ethernet port. USB ports are on most NASes today. Not as common are other ports on the back: a FireWire port, an eSATA connection, both DVI and HDMI ports, line in/out AV ports, and an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio. On the rear panel are several USB ports, including two USB 3.0 ports. There are quite a few ports on this NAS that I have not seen in other small business-class NASes. (Opens in a new window) Read Our EonNAS Pro 510 Review Still, if you are a storage geek, the FreeNAS Mini will be addicting to use and learn about, with plenty of capabilities and high customizability. This is a powerful device that has tons of functionality, but it's tempered by the difficult learning curve if you are used to working primarily with Windows environments, and a lack of automated features such as automatic RAID array re-build found in competing SMB NASes. That's no small task for Unix noobs, but there'll be one very clear benefit for those who are up to the challenge: The FreeNAS Mini clocked the highest Read speed we've tested to-date for an SMB NAS. It's best suited for those who know or are willing to learn the Unix commands that are necessary to get the most from this storage device. ![]() To be clear, this is not a NAS for lightweight storage administrators or newbies. IXsystems' FreeNAS Mini is a powerful NAS with management software based on the open-source FreeBSD, a version of Unix. Steep learning curve for the non-Unix experienced. ![]() How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication. ![]() ![]() How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.
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