If I want to buy a QNAP or Synology, to then install TrueNAS Scale, which would be recommended?

[ddos127]

Yes, I know, underpowered, let it go.

Is there a comparability list to help me decide which QNAP or Synology to purchase?

I'm not flush with cash but a 4 bay or greater NAS would be great

 

[blanchet]

Buying a QNAP or Synology to run TrueNAS Scale is a very poor choice. They are not standard servers so the compatibility is jeopardized.

Pick a HPE Microserver Gen10 Plus or a pre-owned HP Microserver Gen 8.

• The price is similar to QNAP or Synology
• They are more powerful
• They have 4 bays
• They can both run any operating systems (TrueNAS Core and TrueNAS Scale.. or Linux, Windows)

 

[Testpoint]

These are really nice. IX Systems NAS

 

[danb35]

Even if you could find one with adequate hardware to run TrueNAS safely, you're going to pay a significant premium for the QNAP/Synology ecosystem and software, which you then won't be using. Doesn't make much sense to me. But the HPE MicroServer Gen10+ is a nice little piece of kit, as long as you don't need hot-swap bays.

 

[joeschmuck]

I would say that if you want to buy a QNAP or Synology system, then use it as is. They work fine and you will never have to worry about incompatible software upgrades. That is if you are looking for something with the feature set these devices offer. If you want something more like what TrueNAS offers, buy an appropriate system as the other here have suggested.

 

[Chris3773]

While I haven't heard of anyone being successful in installing TrueNAS on a Synology before, it's possible on many QNAPs. You will want to stay away from the ARM versions and use the x86 versions. You will need to get one with a video output or a temp GPU card for installing, if a PCIe slot is available. In most cases the eUSB DOM will need to be replaced as they are too small for TrueNAS.

While I don't believe anyone has put a list together for QNAP devices you should be able to search around and see what others have tried.

 

[HarryMuscle]

I've read an experience or two of people running Scale on the TS-X73A units. They also seem like a great choice in general. Not too expensive (for a QNAP unit), good CPU, ECC RAM support, PCIe slots for a GPU, available in 4, 6, and 8 slots. This unit family is also known to run Debian well which Scale is based on. And there's even a driver for controlling the fans and reading temperatures available (https://github.com/Stonyx/QNAP-EC). It's what I plan on doing in the next few months.

Thanks,
Harry

 

[HarryMuscle]

I would say that if you want to buy a QNAP or Synology system, then use it as is. They work fine and you will never have to worry about incompatible software upgrades. That is if you are looking for something with the feature set these devices offer. If you want something more like what TrueNAS offers, buy an appropriate system as the other here have suggested.

My guess is the OP (like myself) is looking for a ready to go device that's quiet, small, and uses minimal energy. There's very few options that fit that description. QNAP is definitely one, along with possibly some of the official TrueNAS devices, and the HPE micro servers if all you need is 4 bays.

Thanks,
Harry

 

[HarryMuscle]

Even if you could find one with adequate hardware to run TrueNAS safely, you're going to pay a significant premium for the QNAP/Synology ecosystem and software, which you then won't be using. Doesn't make much sense to me. But the HPE MicroServer Gen10+ is a nice little piece of kit, as long as you don't need hot-swap bays.

If the OP only needs 4 bays these are pretty nice units. Although some QNAP units will actually offer better expandability.

Thanks,
Harry

 

[HarryMuscle]

Buying a QNAP or Synology to run TrueNAS Scale is a very poor choice. They are not standard servers so the compatibility is jeopardized.

Pick a HPE Microserver Gen10 Plus or a pre-owned HP Microserver Gen 8.

• The price is similar to QNAP or Synology
• They are more powerful
• They have 4 bays
• They can both run any operating systems (TrueNAS Core and TrueNAS Scale.. or Linux, Windows)

While technically not standard "servers" some/most QNAP units are actually standard PCs just in a different form factor. Most can run Linux based OSes perfectly fine since they have standard hardware.

Thanks,
Harry

 

[joeschmuck]

I have a nice very small unit that is my Test NAS (see my equipment listing) and I could install a nice 4 or up to 8 drive bay in the case. Super quiet too. I'll bet it cost me less than a QNAP. So when it comes time to get more bang for your buck, you need to build it yourself or even the iXsystems units are nice if you don't want to do the work yourself.

 

[eldxmgw]

Right now i'm transforming my Qnap TS-853A from QTS to TN Scale when my backups are finished.
Tests were running smooth. Most things are running out of the box. Some people with other boxes might have different experiences.
My system has a normal client BIOS in a limited manner. I don't have trouble with max. RPM fans, or boot order malfunctions, since those options can be adjusted in BIOS of this unit. And oh yeah, my unit is Intel based.
I won't mess around with the DOM like other users tend to do. When i was doing fist tests, i moved the DOM to 3rd boot order in row.
My plan is to install Scale in a mirror on two 2,5" HDDs connected via USB. Did this successfully since years with another system.
When the backup is finished i plan to take apart the whole system for cleaning and currently thinking about disassembling the DOM completely.
Since i don't plan to go back to QTS anymore this might be a plan. But i have to test how the system is working without it.
Anyway, if you already own a compatible Qnap and want to get rid of QTS, then you can consider doing this.
If not, i'd build a proper system depending on your needs.
In my case this will be my 2nd TrueNas system in my infrastructure, cause i can't stand out the QTS ecosystem anymore.

Some interesting links for you:

QNAP NAS Community Forum - Login

QNAP QTS vs FreeNAS on a TS-853A

I'm thinking scratching QTS and put FreeNAS on my TS-853A ( 4x3TB and 4x2TB) For the record: CPU Intel N3150, 16GB RAM, 4 E1000 ethernet, USB2&3 My plan is to use a USB thumb drive for my tests and if it's successful, buy a EUSB DOM and replace the QNAP DOM with a bigger one storing FreeNAS...

www.truenas.com

Adventures in TrueNAS SCALE on QNAP Hardware

BACKGROUND 4+ months ago, I got fed up with the QNAP QTS hardcoded credentials and vulnerabilities, and successfully installed TrueNAS CORE on all three of my QNAP systems. I was able to get all the services I need (APACHE, LACP, RSYNC, SMB, TFTP, TM) and even a Windows 10 VM running. I...

www.truenas.com

Moving external drives into TR-004, but TrueNAS not seeing them.

Hi I just picked up a QNAP TR-004 to JBOD my loosie external drives that make up my drive pool. But after rebooting, TrueNAS does not recognize them anymore. Nor is it recognizing the new drive I installed with them. The QNAP jumpers are set to JBOD, so theoretically it should work, right? What...

www.truenas.com

QNAP NAS Community Forum - Login

GitHub - mpeirone/QnapLcdInfo: Script to display linux system information on Qnap LCD

Script to display linux system information on Qnap LCD - mpeirone/QnapLcdInfo

github.com

GitHub - Stonyx/QNAP-EC

Contribute to Stonyx/QNAP-EC development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com