TrueNAS CORE In-Depth Installation and Configuration Guide
An expanded, comprehensive guide for installing TrueNAS CORE, including detailed instructions for network configuration, creating a ZFS storage pool, and setting up SMB and other network shares. This guide provides a full end-to-end walkthrough for deploying a powerful network-attached storage solution.
Step 1: Introduction to TrueNAS CORE
TrueNAS CORE is a free, open-source OS for building a dedicated NAS. Its core feature is the ZFS file system, which provides data integrity and powerful storage management. This guide will walk you through the full installation process.
Step 2: Hardware Prerequisites
TrueNAS has specific hardware requirements for optimal performance. You'll need a dedicated **boot drive** (16 GB or larger) to install the OS. This drive will be completely erased during installation.
Step 3: Prepare Your Data Drives and RAM
You'll also need two or more **data drives** for your storage pool. **WARNING:** All data on these drives will be wiped when creating a ZFS pool. A minimum of 8 GB of ECC RAM is also required, but more is highly recommended.
Step 4: Create a Bootable USB
Download the latest TrueNAS CORE ISO from the official website. Use a tool like Rufus (for Windows) or Balena Etcher to write the ISO image to a USB flash drive (at least 8 GB).
Step 5: Boot from the USB Drive
Insert the bootable USB drive into your server. Power on the machine and immediately press the key to enter the BIOS or UEFI setup (commonly F2, F10, or DEL). Set the USB drive as the primary boot device, then save and exit.
Step 6: Start the Installation
The installer will now boot. From the menu, select `Install/Upgrade`. The installer will then load and display a screen listing all your available disks. This is the most critical step of the installation.
Step 7: Select the Boot Drive
Carefully select the dedicated boot drive you prepared in Step 2. Use the Spacebar to select the correct drive and press Enter. **DO NOT select any of your data drives.**
Step 8: Set Root Password and Reboot
Create a strong password for the 'root' administrative account. Once the installation is complete, remove the USB drive. You may need to enter the BIOS again to set your newly installed drive as the primary boot device.
Step 9: Access the Web UI
After rebooting, the TrueNAS console will display its IP address. Open a web browser on a computer on the same network and navigate to the IP. Log in with the 'root' username and the password you set in the previous step.
Step 10: Create Your ZFS Storage Pool
A ZFS pool is where you will store your data. This is the most crucial step. Go to **Storage > Pools** and click 'Add'. Select 'Create a new Pool'. Choose the data drives you want to use.
Step 11: Select VDEV Layout and Confirm
Choose a VDEV layout like **Mirror** (for 2 drives) or **RAIDZ** (for 3+ drives) for data redundancy. **WARNING:** This will erase all data on the selected drives. Once you're sure, click 'Create Pool' to proceed.
Step 12: Create a ZFS Dataset
A dataset is a file system within your pool for organizing data and setting features like compression. To create one, go to **Storage > Pools**, click the three dots (`...`) on your pool, and select 'Add Dataset'.
Step 13: Create a User Account
It's best practice not to use the root account for shares. Create a new user for network access by navigating to **Accounts > Users** and clicking 'Add'. Fill in the required details and a strong password.
Step 14: Create a Windows (SMB) Share
To share a folder with Windows and macOS clients, go to **Sharing > Windows (SMB) Shares** and click 'Add'. Select the dataset you created earlier and set the necessary permissions for your new user.
Step 15: Create Other Shares (Optional)
TrueNAS CORE supports various sharing protocols. For Linux, use **NFS Shares** under `Sharing > Unix (NFS) Shares`. For older macOS, use **AFP Shares** under `Sharing > Apple (AFP) Shares`.
Step 16: Enable Services
For shares to work, you must enable the corresponding service. Go to the `Services` menu and set the service (e.g., SMB, NFS) to 'Start Automatically'. This ensures the service runs every time the server reboots.
Step 17: Final Review and Management
Congratulations! You've installed and configured your TrueNAS CORE server. You can now access your shares. Remember to regularly back up critical data and monitor your system's health from the TrueNAS dashboard.
