Summary
- There are a few reasons you might want to replace your NAS OS, like missing features or if it is no longer supported by the manufacturer.
- Replacing your NAS OS could also net you more privacy and greater control over who has access to your data and information.
- However, there are certain scenarios where you shouldn’t replace the OS, like if you value ease of use or want to keep your warranty in tact.
There are many reasons to replace your manufacturer’s operating system with something else. However, there are also several reasons to just stick with what came on your NAS. Here’s why I think you should (and why you shouldn’t) replace the OS on your NAS.
What Is a NAS OS?
When you think of an operating system, you likely think of Linux, Windows, or macOS. A NAS operating system isn’t much different and is often based on Linux, but it functions in a slightly different way.
With a core of Linux, most NAS operating systems are focused on storage and other related functions. You’ll often find things like Docker built into a NAS OS to run containers, as well as ZFS or some form of parity for disk redundancy.
This is because the priority of a NAS OS is the protection of your files and data above all else. To accomplish this, a lot of functions might be limited or outright blocked in a NAS OS. You’re not likely to be able to run Microsoft Office or Call of Duty on a NAS OS, for example, as it simply lacks the drivers for functions like that.
Now that you know what a NAS OS is, should you replace the operating system your storage server runs if your system supports it?
Replace Your OS if It Holds You Back
Sometimes, a NAS operating system could hold you back. Synology, for instance, has an implementation of Docker, but it’s not the same as running the standard Docker stack. UGREEN might be similar, offering some functions but not others.
If the OS offers everything you need on that side, does it allow you to handle your disks in the way that you’d like? Unraid, for example, lets you have one parity drive and then any size drive under that to make up your storage pool. Does your NAS OS let you do that?
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What about using different drivers for networking gear or graphics cards? Can you install older drivers (or newer ones) depending on the hardware you’re running?
If the answer to any of the above is “No, I can’t do that,” then your NAS OS is likely holding you back, and you should consider replacing it. Running a different OS will allow you to take advantage of more features than you currently have access to.
Replace Your OS if You’re Worried About Privacy
There are some times that you want to ensure your private documents and photos stay, well, private. While a document might be stored on your local NAS, that doesn’t mean nobody else has access to it.
It’s not unprecedented for a third-party company (like the one who makes your NAS) to be compromised or hacked. With remote access to your NAS being handled by them, there’s a chance your files could also be compromised.
In the case of UGREEN’s latest AI-powered NAS systems, which offer the ability to run LLM AI models locally, you might be wary of using it for that purpose. There’s a lot of scrutiny around the privacy of using public LLMs like ChatGPT, and whether your conversations are truly private.
Running an LLM locally (or any other AI tools) is the only way to ensure privacy — but that only works if your NAS or server is also private. If you’re worried about the privacy of your machine or operating system because of potential unsecured backdoors into the OS, then go ahead and replace your NAS unit’s operating system.
Replace Your OS if Your System Becomes Unsupported
Sometimes, you might be using a NAS that’s a bit older. It’s possible that, after some time, the manufacturer will stop supporting it with updates and new features.
If this is the case for you, there’s a good chance the hardware could still be supported by the community through various operating systems. While not every NAS supports sideloading your own operating system, if yours does, then loading something like Unraid, TrueNAS, or OpenMediaVault onto your storage server could prove greatly beneficial.
Depending on what operating system you were running previously, replacing the OS on your NAS could net you a lot more than just security updates — you could also gain features, like Docker support, if you didn’t have that previously.
Don’t Replace Your OS if You Value Ease-Of-Use
While replacing your NAS system’s OS might be fun and add some new features, it could also make things a bit more difficult.
The stock OS that your NAS runs is maintained by the manufacturer and is designed to be easy to use. They know what drivers to use, what hardware it has, what capabilities it has, and what the best settings are for everything. While you can replicate some or most of that yourself, there’s a chance that things could go awry.
If you are someone who prefers things to just simply work how they’re intended, then replacing the OS of your NAS is likely not for you.
Don’t Replace the OS if It Voids Your Warranty
UGREEN and other NAS manufacturers might allow you to replace the operating system of your storage device, but not everyone is so kind.
Synology, for instance, has no known or documented way to replace its Disk Station Manager that runs on their NAS units. Replacing the OS of your Synology NAS would likely void your warranty and make it so Synology could potentially refuse repairs in the future.
Just keep in mind your warranty status and whether that matters to you before deciding to replace the OS of your NAS.
Don’t Replace Your OS if You Can’t Maintain It
Replacing the OS of your NAS isn’t always a plug-and-play thing. Often, there will be updates that you need to keep on top of for security reasons.
If you’re unfamiliar with Linux or Linux-based operating systems, or you don’t feel comfortable ensuring that the latest vulnerabilities are patched on your NAS, then replacing the OS of your system is likely not for you. If vulnerabilities aren’t patched in a timely manner, then your NAS could potentially be left open and susceptible to attack, leaving your data compromised.
