I'm pretty happy with my Ubuntu, docker, and ZFS with Sanoid/Syncoid server. Nothing against NAS focused distros, I just haven't come across a compelling enough reason to switch.
For hardware, I use a Odroid H4+. Intel N97, 4 SATA ports, Intel quick sync, and low power. It's running my 20ish docker containers with plenty of power to spare. It's been great
I'm interested as well.
I've been renting a dedicated server for a couple years now, but my collection in growing and I'd like to move to NAS as well, but I'm not sure where to start, especially hardware wise.
I'm currently running two 4tb HDDs in a DAS attached to a Lenovo Thinkcentre tiny. It's more than enough for my usecase. (I don't run Immich, but do run PhotoPrism, which is similar in terms of resource usage.) The DAS is attached to the Thinkcentre by USB 3.0 (you can do eSATA but I'm currently happy with this setup.) The HDDs are in a mirrored VDEV which is part of a ZFS pool. It's running in on AlmaLinux with zfsonlinux.
Pretty happy with my Truenas as a first Nas. If you can have an oppotunity to get a used newerish thin client (Optiplex 3060 micro/ Lenovo M900 Tiny etc.) i would go for that. Pcie/m.2 to Sata card if necessary.
If cash is not that tight and you live somewhere where electricity isn't free, you might wanna consider going full SSD, especially if fou don't need that much space. Two used or new cheap 2TB drives in Raid 4 should be fine and you can slot in a third one to go to 4TB
Thank you this is very useful, and sounds like a good start. I'll look into this. Cash isn't that tight, so I'll prioritise it being compact and a bit more future proof over doing it cheaply
Synology seems to be the go to brand for most folks. They have a solid OS and take their security pretty seriously.
If you want to have more fun you could grab a small x86 NAS (ugreen/terramaster) and flash it with truenas.
Synology aren't Open-Source so that's a deal breaker for me.
One of the main reasons I'm getting into homelabs etc. Is to take back control of my software and data.
If Synology decides to lock away features behind a pay wall they can.
TrueNAS sounds like the way to go for me, I'm just clueless what hardware would best fit my needs.
Any x86 machine will do.
If u have an old desktop with some drives sleds in it that’s more than enough.
Personally i would recommend ubuntu Server and host as much you can over Docker and docker-compose files (selfhost is sooooo easy since docker!).
Ubuntu-Server is light weight and uses an common package manager which is widely used. Also the system is matured and frequently updated.
You can install portainer on the Server and manage all your containers/services through an easy UI.
Also you could install Watchtower on it, so all your docker-containers will be updated automaticly.
Edit: If you are just unsure about the Distro of choice, here is an pretty nice Website to search for distros of any kind: https://distrowatch.com/search-mobile.php?ostype=Linux&category=NAS&origin=All&basedon=All¬basedon=None&desktop=All&architecture=All&package=All&rolling=All&isosize=All&netinstall=All&language=All&defaultinit=All&status=Active#simpleresults