Following this topic, I’m not going with Synology anymore. I’m still hesitant between TrueNAS and HexOS.
I’d like to start building my case and buying parts. These would be my criteria:
- 4-bay NAS.
- 2 first bays raid1 would be for Media Server (around 20 TB).
- 2 other bays raid1 would be for the rest (4TB): mostly pictures and music.
- I already have the 2x 4TB.
- The media server need to be able to play 4k content.
- I don’t think I would need a snapshot feature (multiple history backup of the same files).
- I would need to access the NAS online, but on rare occasion. Probably Netbird or Headscale.
- I would need to be able to host a private online video game stream.
- I would need a solution that includes ID3 tags for music management.
- I would need a solution that includes automatic photos backup of any pictures I take from my cellphone. Probably Ente.
- I would need a solution that runs Monero nodes Creating a Tricked-Out Monero Server with TrueNAS - Privacy Guides
I’m including the above points to give an idea of what CPU / RAM is required.
Questions:
- A friend told me you there are better ways then using raid1. Is this true? If so, maybe I don’t need a 4-bay nas? I tried reading on ZFS, but an ELI5 would be great.
- Do I understand TrueNAS is more flexible, but more painful to setup then HexOS?
- Is HexOS even fully open source? I know it’s based on TrueNAS, but not sure to what extent.
- What would be recommended parts?
- Which motherboard to pick and how?
- Same for CPU
- Same for RAM
- Same for Case (does it come with a power supply?)
- GPU?
- Anything else?
- Any deals I should wait on? Black friday?
@jonah what is your experience with TrueNAS a year later? Any do’s and don’t’s? Any tips are welcome 
Please be patient with me. This will be my first time doing a DYI NAS setup.