Getting started with NAS storage (2024)

  • Tutorial

Last modified date: 2023-12-26

Applicable Products

  • QTS
  • QuTS hero

Introduction

After you initialize your QNAP NAS and install QTS or QuTS hero, you must first create at least one storage pool. Creating a storage pool allows you to store data and install applications.

Storage pools and RAID

A storage pool is the minimum storage unit required to start using your NAS. A storage pool combines multiple physical disks into one large storage space and may contain one or more RAID groups.

RAID groups can help protect your data and improve storage performance. Depending on the RAID type you choose, one or more disk failures can be tolerated without experiencing any data loss, allowing you to continue using your NAS while you procure new disks to replace the failed disks.

Volumes and shared folders

In QTS, after creating a storage pool, you must also create at least one volume. Volumes allow you to divide and manage available storage capacity in the storage pool. You can then create shared folders on a volume to allow you to access, manage, and share your files. QTS automatically creates several default shared folders when you create your first volume.

In QuTS hero, there are no volumes. Instead, default shared folders are automatically created on your first storage pool. You can create additional shared folders to further divide the available storage capacity and to access, manage, and share your files.

Creating Your First Storage Units

In this section, we show you the basic steps for creating your first storage pool, volume (in QTS only), and shared folder. Links are provided for more in-depth information and advanced configuration options.

A detailed instructional video is also available.

See Also
Self Storage Units in NaardenDo I need a moving truck to move my belongings to a storage unit?NAS sichern - 100 GB kostenlosen Cloud-Speicherplatz erhaltenThuis je werkplek inrichten

Creating a storage pool in QTS or QuTS hero

Note

  • For details on configuration options not covered in these steps, see "Creating a storage pool" in the QTS User Guide or QuTS hero User Guide.
  • Some screenshots may differ slightly between QTS and QuTS hero.
    1. Log in to QTS or QuTS hero.
    2. Open Storage & Snapshots.

      Tip

      There are several quick ways to locate an application:

      • Go to Main Menu.
      • Click the Searchicon on the task bar and enter the application name.
      • Check the desktop (if a desktop shortcut has been created for the application).
    3. Go to Storage > Storage/Snapshots.
    4. Click New Storage Pool.
      Getting started with NAS storage (1)The Create Storage Pool Wizard opens.
    5. Click Start, and then click Next.
    6. Select disks to include in the storage pool.
      Getting started with NAS storage (2)

      Note

      • To prevent data loss due to disk failure, select at least two disks so that you can select RAID 1 or above for the RAID type.
      • For details on disk installation, please refer to the hardware user guide for your NAS model. You can find documentation for your NAS model in Download Center.
    7. Optional: Select a different RAID type.
      The system automatically selects the most optimized RAID type based on the disks selected.

      Tip

      • Use the automatically selected RAID type if you are unsure of which option to choose.
      • To prevent data loss due to disk failure, select RAID 1 or above for the RAID type.
      • For details, see "RAID types" in the QTS User Guide or QuTS hero User Guide.
    8. Click Next.
    9. Optional: Configure the alert threshold.
      The system issues a warning notification when the percentage of used storage pool space is greater than or equal to the specified threshold.
      The threshold is enabled and set to 80% by default.

      Note

      We recommend enabling the alert threshold so that you can take action before the storage pool space runs low, which can cause service disruption.

      Getting started with NAS storage (3)
    10. Click Next.
    11. Verify the storage pool information.
    12. Click Create.
      A confirmation message appears.
    13. Click OK.
      The system creates your first storage pool and displays the storage pool information on the Storage/Snapshots screen.

      Note

      In QTS, a pop-up message also appears and asks you whether you want to create a new volume.
      Getting started with NAS storage (4)

    If your NAS is running QTS, go to Creating a volume in QTS.

    If your NAS is running QuTS hero, skip to Creating a shared folder in QuTS hero.

    See Also
    QStorageInfo Class | Qt Core 6.7.1

    Creating a volume in QTS

    Note

    For details on configuration options not covered in these steps, see "Volume creation" in the QTS User Guide.

    1. Open the Volume Creation Wizardusing one of the following methods:
      • Click New Volume on the pop-up message you saw at the end of the previous instructions.
      • Go to Storage > Storage/Snapshots > Create > New Volume.
        Getting started with NAS storage (5)The Volume Creation Wizard opens.
    2. Select a volume type.
      Getting started with NAS storage (6)

      Note

      For a more detailed comparison of the different volume types, click Detailed Comparison or see "Volume types" in the QTS User Guide.

    3. Optional: Select a different storage pool.
      You can skip this step if you have created only one storage pool.
    4. Click Next.
    5. Optional: Specify a different alias for the volume.
      Getting started with NAS storage (7)
    6. Optional: Specify a different capacity for the volume.

      Note

      For static volumes, the capacity is automatically determined by the system and cannot be changed.

    7. Click Next.
    8. Optional: Enable the snapshot schedule.

      Note

      • This option does not appear for static volumes. Static volumes do not support snapshots.
      • A snapshot protects data by recording the state of a thin or thick volume at a specific point in time. By taking snapshots, you can restore a volume to a previous state or create an identical copy of a volume from a specific point in time.
      • By default, a snapshot is scheduled daily at 1:00 am. You can change these settings after the volume is created. For details, see "Configuring a snapshot schedule" in the QTS User Guide.
    9. Click Next.
    10. Verify the volume information.
    11. Click Finish.
      QTS creates and initializes the volume, and then creates default shared folders on the volume.
      You can create additional shared folders.
    Creating a shared folder in QTS

    Note

    For details on configuration options not covered in these steps, see "Creating a shared folder" in the "Privilege Settings" chapter in the QTS User Guide.

    1. Open Control Panel.

      Tip

      You can also create shared folders in File Station. For details, see "Creating a shared folder" in the "File Station" chapter in the QTS User Guide.

    2. Go to Privilege > Shared Folders > Shared Folder.
    3. Click Create, and then select Shared Folder.
      Getting started with NAS storage (8)The Create A Shared Folder window opens.
    4. Specify a shared folder name.
      Getting started with NAS storage (9)
    5. Optional: Specify a description.
    6. Optional:Select a different volume.
      You can skip this step if you have only created one volume.
    7. Click Next.
    8. Optional: Specify the access permissions for users.
      Getting started with NAS storage (10)
    9. Click Next.
    10. Click Finish.
      The system creates the shared folder.
      You can now access and manage files in the shared folder in File Station.
    Creating a shared folder in QuTS hero

    Note

    For details on configuration options not covered in these steps, see "Creating a shared folder" in the "Privilege Settings" chapter in the QuTS hero User Guide.

    1. Open Control Panel.

      Tip

      You can also create shared folders in File Station or Storage & Snapshots. For details, see "Creating a shared folder" in the "File Station" or "Storage & Snapshots" chapter in the QuTS hero User Guide.

    2. Go to Privilege > Shared Folders > Shared Folder.
    3. Click Create, and then select Shared Folder.
      Getting started with NAS storage (11)The Create Shared Folder Wizard opens.
    4. Specify a shared folder name.
      Getting started with NAS storage (12)
    5. Optional: Specify a description.
    6. Optional:Select a different storage pool.
      You can skip this step if you have created only one storage pool.
    7. Optional: Enable the snapshot schedule.

      Note

      • A snapshot protects data by recording the state of a shared folder at a specific point in time. By taking snapshots regularly, you can restore a shared folder to a previous state or create an identical copy of a shared folder from a specific point in time.
      • By default, a snapshot is scheduled daily at 1:00 am. You can change these settings after the folder is created. For details, see "Configuring a snapshot schedule" in the QuTS hero User Guide.
    8. Optional:Specify the capacity of the shared folder.
    9. Click Next twice.
    10. Optional: Specify the access permissions for users.
      Getting started with NAS storage (13)
    11. Click Next.
    12. Click Finish.
      The system creates the shared folder.
      You can now access and manage files in the shared folder in File Station.

    What to Do Next

    After creating the basic storage units for storing and managing your data, you can create data backup plans, configure privilege settings, set up remote access, acquire apps and licenses, and take steps to secure your NAS.

    For details, see the "Getting Started" chapter in the QTS User Guide or QuTS hero User Guide.

    Resources

    • QTS User Guide
    • QuTS hero User Guide
    • Knowledge Base
      This webpage provides a search engine which indexes all of QNAP's online documentation, including user guides, tutorials, and FAQs.
    • Download Center
      On this webpage you can find documents, firmware files, and other information specific to your device model.
    • Compatibility List
      On this webpage you can find the lists of HDD and SSD models and external devices that are compatible with your device model.

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    Getting started with NAS storage (2024)
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