Looking for the best Best OS for NAS Media Server? This guide is the perfect solution for those who need an added operating system to their NAS device. With its user-friendly interface, advanced security options, and dedicated support team, you can be assured that your files are safe and secure. Plus, you can access and store files from multiple devices, making it easy to manage and share your files with others. But first, I’ll explain NAS vs media server and how to build a NAS media server. As well as provide an in-depth review of the best OS for NAS media servers.
What is NAS?
NAS (Network attached storage), dedicated file storage, allows many users and client gadgets to access data from a single disk. The local network users access the shared storage with a regular Ethernet link.
NAS vs Media Server
A media server is a computer application that stores and organizes media, such as audio and video files, and streams them to connected devices. A NAS is typically used as a storage device, while a media server is used to facilitate access to the media stored on the NAS.
These are some of the best NAS OS for Media server distros available:
- OpenMediaVault
- Universal Media Server
- EasyNAS
- TrueNAS
- Proxmox
- Unraid
- Amahi Home Server
- OpenFiler
- Rockstar
- OviOS Linux
- OpenSUSE
- Kodi
OpenMediaVault
This feature-rich operating system is compatible with file-sharing protocols such as SMB, NFS, and AFP, so it’s compatible with many devices and servers. In addition, for large storage capacity and continuous system performance, RAID support is available to provide data protection and redundancy plugins for extra storage.
OMV comes with a web-based administration for a comfortable, user-friendly experience. Therefore, this OC is ideal for large-scale enterprises because it can concurrently manage multiple user requests and duties. Furthermore, it has the feature of platform independency, making it a top choice. It implies that it is accessible from any device, regardless of its operating system, such as Windows, NAS Mac, or Linux.
OpenMediaVault has a modular design based on Debian Linux, which makes it easy to customize and configure. Its design also allows users to decide which packages to install, making it a lightweight and efficient operating system. In addition, the administration console includes hard drive management tools such as LVM.
Universal Media Server
Universal Media Server is your top choice if you require a System program that streams films and games from your gaming PC to your television. It’s the best free NAS OS, and no additional packages are needed. Universal Media Server OS with GUI that is free and accessible to all. Anyone can use this free, open-source operating system, and its user-friendly interface makes for a straightforward connection and configuration process.
Additionally, this DLNA media server requires no money to use and will detect any form of media automatically, so no extra effort is needed to add files. As well as this, it can be used to stream a range of audio, video, and image files on numerous platforms, such as game consoles, smart TVs, and mobile devices.
Integrating a subtitles translator and offering a web interface that is simple to use, setting up a NAS Media Server also allows for easy web administration. It makes it simple to manage folders and browse the dashboard activities. Moreover, UMS is adaptable and customizable with the help of third-party plugins. As a result, a universal Media Server is an ideal choice for most home networking requirements.
EasyNAS
If you’re looking for a reliable FreeNAS alternative to assist with your streaming and storage needs, EasyNAS is a great option. It runs on the openSUSE foundation, meaning it offers stability and flexibility with no or minimal risk of data corruption. In addition, this OS, which is programmed with a versatile Linux distribution, makes it ideal for NAS due to its capability of running continuous functions.
EasyNAS provides uncompromising security to protect your NAS from hacking and malicious activity. With just 2Gb RAM and 20GB of hard disk space, you don’t need top-of-the-line hardware to run this system.
It is easy to configure and features Btrfs, a contemporary file system style, for integrated data dependability and adjustable storage pools.
EasyNAS is an ideal choice for constructing a powerful server in an office or home setting due to its low-profile interface and plentiful options for customization. It offers limited menus and settings to protect against manipulation and compatibility with multiple network protocols such as NFS, AFP, and FTP. In addition, the moderate software facilitates easy modifications to meet the user’s demands.
TrueNAS
TrueNAS provides a robust and reliable platform for organizations to store and share files, manage backups, and stream multimedia content. In addition, it offers an easy-to-use web-based user interface and mobile apps for remote access, allowing users to access their data wherever they are.
It also allows multiple storage tiers, from hard drives to flash storage. With reliable performance, TrueNAS is a reliable and secure choice for business storage needs. In addition, it offers advanced features such as multi-protocol access, encryption, and replication for disaster recovery. So whether it’s for small businesses or large enterprises, the storage and backup capabilities of TrueNAS make it an ideal choice.
TrueNAS can operate on many modular hardware platforms, such as AMD’s high-core processor, NVMe SSDs, and its updated web interface. Furthermore, with the incorporation of the recent FreeBSD 12.1, compared to FreeNAS, TrueNAS presents superior data encryption and data integration security.
Proxmox
Proxmox is a Linux distribution based on Debian, which provides a virtualized management server known as Proxmox Virtual Environment (PVE). This software is open-source, so that it can run many Operating Systems, such as Windows and Linux. Its many features, including managing virtual machines and large storage networks, make Proxmox highly sought after by both mid-sized and large enterprises.
The user interface of Proxmox is extremely intelligent and robust. It will change and adapt to the device used to connect, providing a touchable interface for mobile devices. Additionally, the unique multi-master design allows multiple nodes to alter the central data. As a result, administrators can manage more easily, as they can make alterations instead of modifying individual nodes.
Promox VE’s file management system enables admins to control access to certain files and folders by setting permissions. The default setup is the bridge model network, which creates several bridges to divide the network.
Unraid
Unraid is a Linux-based operating system designed for network-attached storage (NAS). It is specifically designed to provide advanced data protection and storage with various drive configurations.
Unraid’s storage system allows a user to keep a collection of multiple hard drives, making expansion a simple and flexible process. Furthermore, it is free to use with up to three drives, but if more than that is needed, you must purchase its service. SSDs can also be utilized as cache drives.RAID is notably more efficient than other methods, as it utilizes less energy while ensuring data security against potential loss. In addition, those with little or non-technical expertise can easily observe and control the system.
Amahi Home Server
For those just starting on the journey of building their home server, Amahi OS is the most reliable and straightforward operating system to use. It is a web-based interface built on the Fedora Linux distribution and is considered the best free NAS OS for home servers, second only to FreeNAS.
Amahi offers a user-friendly interface ideal for novice users while providing the same capabilities as a Linux Server distribution. It also has a range of apps and plugins that facilitate various functions, including Plex, Crashplan, Transmission, OpenVPN, Sick Beard, and CouchPotato. Some of these plugins may not be free; however, Amahi remains one of the best paid NAS software for building an in-home server for media streaming.
OpenFiler
OpenFiler is an ideal home server OS to create a NAS or IP storage gateway. It’s capable of handling large storage requests with its range of supported protocols and filesystems, such as NFS, HTTP, FTP, rsync, RAID configurations, and journaling file systems, with a capacity of 8TB or more.
The web interface of OpenFiler is effortless and makes it a great option as a server operating system. Additionally, it’s available in both an open-source and a commercial version, both of which are free of cost.
Rockstor
Rockstor NAS is an open-source, Linux-based Network Attached Storage (NAS) operating system designed to make data storage and sharing easy, secure, and affordable. It provides a web-based management interface to manage and monitor the storage system and allows users to access their data from anywhere quickly. Rockstor NAS is a great storage solution for home and business users who want an easy-to-use, reliable, and secure solution.
Rockstor appliances are built with Btrfs, providing data protection, compression, and other advanced features. It helps to limit potential damage from external malicious attacks and anonymous viruses without costing a penny.
OviOS Linux
To protect users from surprise data losses, the creators of OviOs have created the most current answer and put in place replication features. It makes accessible a second version of the information that can be accessed if there is a problem. In addition, snapshot capability can revert the system to its original state and store data for compliance or regulatory necessities.
ZFS is a file system that helps backup your data, so it is safe if something unexpected happens. RAID-Z also helps to protect your data from disk failure. RAID-Z can make your information safe from any potential disk collapse.
OpenSUSE
OpenSUSE is a free and easy-to-use operating system that runs on Linux. It is popular among people who like to watch movies or use it for work.
OpenSUSE is a special operating system that makes it easy to install and browse. In addition, it has automatic hardware detection and many tools and supports different languages.
Kodi
Kodi is the best NAS OS for plex, an amazing media player and entertainment hub that lets you access and manage your favorite movies, music, podcasts, and videos from a single server. It’s the perfect tool for streaming your favorite content on the go and playing media applications. With Kodi, you can easily tune various media players or live streaming services like T through your mobile phone.
Kodi also supports several add-ons and plugins to add more features and content to your media experience.
Kodi also offers an array of powerful features, including a library of music, movies, and television shows that you can access from any device. Moreover, it is the best OS for NAS media server. In addition, you can tailor your media experience by creating custom playlists and adding various plugins. Kodi also supports various audio and video formats, so you can always play your favorite content.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which Operating System is best for use in a home network?
UMS(Universal Media Server) is an ideal option for constructing a home network due to its user-friendly web interface and simple setup features.
Is it worth it to install a Free operating system?
It comes down to the user’s preference; however, most of the operating systems on our list are free, open-source systems with plenty of features.
Conclusion
The conclusion of the 12 best OS for NAS media servers is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for every user. Different users have different needs, so the best option for them will depend on their requirements. Factors such as ease of use, cost, support, and compatibility should be considered when deciding on the best OS for a NAS media server.