Guide: Creating your own NAS with Open Media Vault and Proxmox

Using OpenMediaVault (OMV) as a NAS solution on a Proxmox setup is a powerful combination, especially when paired with an external storage enclosure like the TerraMaster D4-300 USB-C. This setup provides a flexible, scalable, and centralized storage solution for your home lab or small business, allowing you to manage drives and media easily within a virtualized environment.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through installing OMV inside Proxmox and configuring your TerraMaster D4-300 USB-C enclosure for storage.

Prerequisites:

• Proxmox Server: A running Proxmox server with at least one VM allocation available.
• OpenMediaVault ISO: Download the latest OMV ISO from the OpenMediaVault website.
• External USB-C TerraMaster: A TerraMaster D4-300 or compatible USB-C external storage enclosure connected to your Proxmox server.
• Available Drives: Install drives in the TerraMaster enclosure for storage.

Setting Up an OMV Virtual Machine in Proxmox

Upload the OMV ISO to Proxmox:

• In the Proxmox web UI, go to Datacenter > [Your Node] > ISO Images.
• Upload the OMV ISO file to Proxmox.

Create a New Virtual Machine:

• In Proxmox, go to Create VM and set up the VM with the following specifications:
• Name: Choose a descriptive name, like “OMV-NAS.”
• OS: Select “Do not use any media” and continue.
• CD/DVD Drive: Choose the OMV ISO from the storage you uploaded it to.
• CPU: Assign at least 2 cores for better performance.
• Memory: Set 2-4GB of RAM, depending on the expected load.
• Disk: Allocate 16GB or more for the main OMV installation.
• Complete the setup and Start the VM.

Install OpenMediaVault:

• Once the VM boots, follow the installation wizard to install OMV on the virtual disk.
• Set up the default admin user and password as prompted.
• After installation, OMV will reboot, and you can log in to the web interface via the IP address assigned to your VM.

Configuring OMV to Use Your TerraMaster USB-C Enclosure

Connect the TerraMaster to Proxmox:

• Ensure your TerraMaster is connected to the Proxmox server via USB-C and that all intended drives are inserted.
• In the Proxmox web UI, navigate to Datacenter > [Your Node] > Hardware to confirm that Proxmox detects the TerraMaster drives.

Pass Through the TerraMaster USB Device to the OMV VM:

• To make OMV recognize the TerraMaster drives, go to OMV-NAS VM > Hardware > Add > USB Device.
• Select the TerraMaster USB-C device from the dropdown list and confirm.
• Restart the OMV VM to apply the changes.

Verify Drive Detection in OMV:

• Log in to the OMV web interface and go to Storage > Disks.
• You should see the TerraMaster drives listed. If they’re not appearing, confirm the USB pass-through setup and reboot the VM.

Formatting and Mounting the Drives in OMV

Format the Drives:

• In OMV, navigate to Storage > Disks and select each drive from the TerraMaster enclosure.
• Choose the Wipe option to prepare the drives. Be cautious, as this will erase any data on them.

Create File Systems:

• After wiping, go to Storage > File Systems > Create.
• Choose each TerraMaster drive, select the filesystem type (e.g., EXT4 or BTRFS), and confirm.

Mount the Drives:

• Once the filesystems are created, select each drive and click Mount.
• OMV will add the drives to the mounted list, making them available for storage.

Setting Up Shared Folders and SMB/CIFS for Network Access

• Create Shared Folders:
• Go to Storage > Shared Folders > Add.
• Assign each TerraMaster drive to a shared folder, setting a name and path.

Enable SMB/CIFS for Network Access:

• Navigate to Services > SMB/CIFS and enable it.
• Add the shared folders under Shares and configure access permissions as needed.

Connect to Shared Folders:

• On any device within your network, access the shared folders by entering the OMV IP in the file explorer (e.g., \\[OMV-IP-Address]).

Additional Configuration and Tips

• Setup User Accounts: In OMV, you can create specific users and assign them permissions to different shared folders for enhanced security.
• Install Plugins: OMV offers various plugins for media management, backup solutions, and monitoring. Check the OMV-Extras plugin for additional options.
• Monitor Performance: Use OMV’s system information dashboard to keep an eye on disk usage, CPU load, and memory.

Conclusion

This setup provides a cost-effective, flexible NAS solution by combining Proxmox’s virtualization with OMV’s storage management capabilities. The TerraMaster D4-300 USB-C enclosure adds expandability and drive flexibility, making it a perfect match for Proxmox users needing centralized storage.

With OMV running in a VM on Proxmox, you get the best of both worlds containerized storage with a modular setup, and the ability to add or upgrade drives as needed. Try this setup in your own lab to enhance your storage capabilities without a full NAS hardware investment!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any employer or organization affiliated with the author.