Re: Building a FreeBSD NAS

On 2/5/22 01:13, Christoph Kukulies wrote:
> I’m thinking of setting up a NAS server on my FreeBSD (12.1) system. What would be the product from ports or server I had to use?


On 2/5/22 04:38, Christoph Kukulies wrote:
 > Main aim is to access it from macOS as NAS backup server.
 >
 > MacOS should be able to recognize it as a backup medium.


As other readers have stated, you should upgrade to FreeBSD 12.3-RELEASE.


I have a Dell PowerEdge T30 that I use as a file server for my SOHO network:

2022-02-05 13:35:36 toor@f3 ~
# freebsd-version; uname -a
12.3-RELEASE-p1
FreeBSD f3.tracy.holgerdanske.com 12.3-RELEASE-p1 FreeBSD 
12.3-RELEASE-p1 GENERIC  amd64


It has a jail 'samba' with the package 'samba413-4.13.14'.  FreeBSD, 
Debian, Windows, macOS, and iOS clients are able to access shared 
folders over the network via SMB.


Regarding Time Machine backup disks:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202784


I use a 320 GB USB 3.0 HDD with APFS (Case-sensitive, Encrypted) as a 
Time Machine backup disk.  I previously used 128 GB SanDisk Ultra Fit 
USB 3.0 flash drives, until one night when I awoke to the smell of fried 
electronics (!).


To use a FreeBSD machine as a Time Machine backup disk over the network, 
I would try these packages:

libfsapfs-e.20210424
netatalk3-3.1.12_4,1


Prior to FreeBSD, I installed FreeNAS on the server; thinking FreeNAS 
was FreeBSD with some add-ons on top.  I was wrong.  I would now call 
FreeNAS a hardened, purpose-built FOSS distribution with a great many 
features.  Using FreeNAS means learning and doing things the FreeNAS way 
via the UI; you should touch the insides.


David