How To: Build your own NAS using FreeNAS for a PC

Systm is the Do It Yourself show designed for the common geek who wants to quickly and easily learn how to dive into the latest and hottest tech projects. We will help you avoid pitfalls and get your project up and running fast. Search Systm on WonderHowTo for more DIY episodes from this Revision3 show.

If you're just itching for an excuse to reuse that retired desktop PC or laptop sitting in your closet there here's your chance. Today we'll be looking at the basics of installing FreeNAS, an open-source DIY NAS. So instead of spending money on off the shelf options why not save yourself some cash and make use of the stuff you already have and get a super customizable network storage device to boot.

All you need to build your own is a copy of the FreeNAS installer, and a PC. It doesn't take much of a PC: just 96MB of RAM a NIC, and a CD-ROM to install from along with a hard drive, and you're ready to go. Tho you'll probably want at least one fat new hard drive to stash your stuff on!

FYI: FreeNAS isn't the only option if you're intent on rolling your own NAS. Other options include Openfiler a great alternative to FreeNAS.

Now you have a good place to back up all of your important files!