TrueNAS Mini E Compact ZFS Storage Server with 4 Drive Bays, 8GB RAM, Dual Core CPU, Quad 1 Gigabit Network (Diskless)

Solid building materials. It was easy to install the hard drives. Instruction were clear. You need to invest some time researching about how to configure the system as there is little to none information about how to do that in the package but I was prepared for that.

I purchased a used FreeNAS Mini 4-bay in 2016. Added my own 2 TB drives. I have apple iOS devices, Mac OSX, Windows 10, and Linux systems all sharing this NAS. I store music (mostly FLAC), videos (MP4), files, and backups. This NAS is enterprise class rich in features. Configured nightly differential backups to BackBlaze. I've had 1 drive fail in 4 years (NAS still operated fine). Hot swapped drive. Used the GUI to add the new disk back to the pool and the OS / Filesystem took care of rebuilding the array for maximum redundancy. No service disruption. I've had the motherboard go bad due to a discovered hardware bug. Right at the end of warranty. Took the drives out. Sent the box to Xi Systems. They kept me informed of the status. Returned the system repaired. Burn-in tested. Personal Configuration still in tact. Added drives back. No hardware issues since. I've taken probably 7 OS updates in 5 years. (Follow the instructions closely.) Upgrades have worked flawlessly. Configuration maintained. (Plugins had to be re-implemented after a major change in how FreeNAS OS implemented jails. Even so, I've never lost any data. Love the monthly filesystem integrity check.

They state " Thank you for choosing TrueNas and iXsystems for your infrastructure needs". That statement and their product ads told me it was a complete NAS solution. But when you call for support they will not support the fact that their unit keeps dropping the connection with their Box and the network PC, or that the file folders setup can not be seen on the network. In stead they tell you have to go to a forum and ask for help from other users. DO NOT BUY this systems.

Beautiful machine with a solid build. I installed a new drive and had it running quickly, transferring files normally. I upgraded OS to TrueNAS 12. Errors started to occur in the management dashboard. I became unable to stop some services. Upon restarting, the device was no longer seen on my network. Game over. Returning it. Will build my own.

After years of using simpler disk systems for home backups, FreeNAS (Now TrueNAS) allowed me to join implement a professional grade setup at home. Make no mistake, there is a learning curve involved in figuring out how to really take advantage of this array, but one need not be a *nix guru. My FreeNAS array has replaced the backup and storage needs for our mixed household of Mac, MS-Windows and *nix users. The Time Machine emulation for Macs is seemingly flawless and allows per-user quotas. (Yes, one can do something similar on an Apple Time Capsule, but I do not know anyone who actually uses that feature.) I bought a system and built it up over time to fit my needs. I am very happy with the end result, and expect it will serve me for years, even as my needs change I can continue to customize to fit. I am very happy with my purchase.My FreeNAS is here pictured besides the UPS, because this is one device that I want to be able to shut down gracefully when the power goes out. I have not lost an SSD yet due to unexpected shutdown, and I hope to keep it that way.

Although small in size, the TrueNAS Mini E is huge in features and flexibility. It really is an enterprise-grade NAS packed in small case. The hardware quality is impressive, and the TrueNAS software has so many options and features that will cover your needs for years. I just received mine yesterday and already have configured shares for my family, for backing up my Mac through Time Machine, to copy data from a couple of Raspberry Pi's I use for automation around the house, as well as syncing my data to an external backup provider.After many years using a NAS for one of the top 3 providers, I felt constrained by their limited (or paid) options to address my needs, and after doing the typical research I do, I found TrueNAS to be the answer to everything I need (and more). Highly recommended!