unraid - dwilson2547/wiki_demo GitHub Wiki
UnRAID is a proprietary Network-Attached Storage (NAS) operating system developed by Lime Technology. It is designed for data storage, sharing, and protection, and is particularly known for its simplicity, flexibility, and support for mixed drive sizes. Below is a detailed breakdown of UnRAID:
- Unique Approach: UnRAID uses a unique method for managing storage, allowing for mixed drive sizes in the same array.
- Parity Protection: Supports single or dual parity drives to protect against data loss in case of drive failure.
- Array: Consists of an array of disks with one or two parity drives.
- Cache Pool: Utilizes an SSD cache pool to improve performance for frequently accessed data.
- VM Support: Uses KVM-based virtualization to run virtual machines (VMs) with various operating systems, including Windows and Linux.
- Docker Support: Includes a Docker engine for running containerized applications, making it versatile for different workloads.
- Web-Based Management: Features a user-friendly, web-based interface for easy configuration and monitoring.
- Plugins: Extensible with community-developed plugins and apps, enhancing functionality.
- Snapshots: Supports snapshots for point-in-time data recovery.
- Backup: Offers automated backup options to protect critical data.
- Easy Expansion: Easily scalable by adding more drives to the array.
- Mixed Drive Sizes: Supports drives of different sizes in the same array, providing flexibility in storage expansion.
- Active Community: Benefits from an active community and third-party plugin support.
- Forums: Official forums and community resources are available for troubleshooting and tips.
UnRAID is versatile and can be used for various applications, including:
- Home Media Server: Store and stream movies, music, and photos.
- Small Business Storage: Centralize file sharing and collaboration.
- Virtualization Host: Run multiple VMs and containers for different applications.
- Backup Solution: Protect critical data with automated backups.
- Development Environment: Test and deploy applications in a controlled environment.
To run UnRAID, the following hardware is recommended:
- CPU: 64-bit x86 processor (Intel or AMD).
- RAM: Minimum 2GB (8GB+ recommended for virtualization and Docker).
- Storage: One or more hard drives (HDDs or SSDs) for data storage.
- USB Flash Drive: Minimum 1GB for booting the OS.
- Network: Gigabit Ethernet recommended for optimal performance.
UnRAID offers different licensing tiers:
- Basic: Free for up to 6 data drives.
- Plus: One-time purchase for up to 12 data drives.
- Pro: One-time purchase for unlimited data drives and advanced features.
UnRAID is a powerful and flexible NAS solution that caters to both home users and small businesses. Its unique approach to storage management, support for virtualization, and user-friendly interface make it a popular choice for those looking to build a reliable and scalable storage system.
Would you like to explore any specific aspect of UnRAID further, such as setup, configuration, or use cases?