Execute a NAS or Linux in a virtual machine
Execute a NAS or Linux in a virtual machine
You're looking to combine two objectives with a single hardware setup. It sounds like you want more storage capacity while also setting up a lightweight Linux environment for running services and websites. The idea of using a Raspberry Pi is a good starting point, but it’s important to consider how you’ll manage storage and data integrity. Since you’re not ready for a fully polished solution yet, think about balancing simplicity with reliability—maybe pairing a modest CPU with a solid motherboard and a reliable OS that supports basic automation. Installing a command-line Linux distro could help you avoid issues like data loss if you implement simple checks later. If you're unsure where to begin, start with a minimal configuration and gradually add features as needed.
You can deploy a server with multiple purposes, which is a typical scenario. I might install a hypervisor on the hardware such as Proxmox, TensorScale, or Unraid. This allows you to run virtual machines for various tasks and set up VMs or use the host for storage shares. Don't forget to maintain backups.
I own a single device that serves as my NAS, web server, router, and gaming PC. It was configured using KVM, QEMU, and libvirt—tools that act as GUI interfaces for unraid, truenas scale, and unraid itself—running on a Debian 11 base system. If I wanted to connect via a custom virtual console over a Raspberry Pi 4, I could set it up easily.