How-to: Build a $300 DIY NAS device with Ikea
Using the stainless steel "Emu" box from IKEA ($7 per set), one Instructables user created a NAS system to be proud of. And since he went with FreeNAS for his operating system, the home server software didn't cost him a dime.
Here's what the user put inside:
- One stainless 7x10 Ikea "Emu" steel box
- Intel D945GCLF2 Mini-ITX motherboard
- 1.5TB Seagate Barracuda 7200.11
- Pico PSU120 power supply
- 80mm fan
- 2GB Kingston RAM, the maximum the aforementioned motherboard will accept
- An ATX power-switch, to turn things on and off
- Two right-angle mounting brackets, to mount the hard drive
- An "assortment of screws and nuts" -- 6-32 thread screws (the standard hard drive screw), and a few 8-32 screws were used in this incarnation
Cost for Project:
- Kingston Ram 2GB: $22.99
- Intel D945GCLF2: $83.99
- Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB: $129.99
- Ikea "Emu" boxes: $6
- PicoPSU 120 60W kit: $54.95
- Various Screws, Mounting Hardware: about $10
Total: $308, shipping excluded.
The author admits that one can a NAS device for cheaper, but won't have the expansion or flexibility of a DIY project. The full walkthrough is available here.
Homebrewed systems are in the spring air here at ZDNet, so add this guide to the list if you're comfortable doing things like case mods.
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