DIY 4TB RAID1 NAS Using FriendlyElec CM3588

cm3588

1. Introduction

Building a secure, efficient, and quiet personal NAS is a rewarding project. This article will guide you through the process of using FriendlyElec’s CM3588 single-board computer (SBC) and 4TB NVMe solid-state drives to create a 4TB NAS with RAID 1 redundancy, and install Safeboxbd for a high-performance and highly secure NAS.

2. Hardware Setup and Preparation

2.1 Introduction to FriendlyElec CM3588

The FriendlyElec CM3588 is a cost-effective single-board computer designed for embedded applications and high-performance computing tasks. It supports multiple NVMe SSD interfaces and onboard storage, with low heat generation and quiet operation, making it ideal for personal NAS devices. Key hardware features include:

  • CPU: Rockchip RK3588, an octa-core processor (4×Cortex-A76 + 4×Cortex-A55), capable of handling complex multitasking and data read/write operations.
  • GPU: ARM Mali-G610 MP4, supporting up to 4K/8K multimedia output, useful for users needing multimedia management, though not typically required for NAS use.
  • Memory: Supports 4GB/8GB LPDDR4X, suitable for large file transfers and multitasking.
  • Storage Interfaces:
    • 4 NVMe SSD interfaces, supporting direct connection of high-speed NVMe SSDs, greatly enhancing storage device read/write speeds, ideal for constructing high-speed data transfer RAID arrays.
    • Onboard 64GB eMMC storage for installing the OS, improving system boot speed and stability, allowing external storage to be fully dedicated to data storage.
  • Low heat, quiet operation: The low-power design of the CM3588 generates minimal heat during operation, eliminating the need for additional cooling fans. This design makes the system nearly silent, ideal for home or personal NAS use.
  • Networking: Gigabit Ethernet interface, ensuring fast network data transfer speeds, perfect for large file storage and media streaming.

2.2 Hardware Checklist

  • FriendlyElec CM3588 single-board computer
  • Two 4TB NVMe SSDs (M.2 slots)
  • Power adapter
  • USB keyboard and mouse
  • Monitor (connected to CM3588 via HDMI)
  • 16GB or larger SD card (for initial OS installation)
  • Ethernet cable (for connecting to the router)

2.3 Software Checklist

  • Ubuntu Jammy Desktop ARM64 image (downloaded from the FriendlyElec website)
  • Rufus (for writing the OS image to the SD card)
  • mdadm (for creating and managing RAID arrays)
  • Safeboxbd (a free NAS software)

3. System Installation

3.1 Download Ubuntu Jammy Desktop ARM64 Image

First, visit the FriendlyElec official website to download the Ubuntu Jammy Desktop 22.04 ARM64 image designed for the CM3588. This system is optimized for ARM architecture and is compatible with the CM3588's hardware.

3.2 Use Rufus to Write the OS Image to the SD Card

Steps:

  • Download and install the Rufus tool to write the image to the SD card.
  • Insert the SD card (16GB or larger recommended).
  • Open Rufus, select the Ubuntu Jammy Desktop ARM64 image downloaded from FriendlyElec.
  • Choose the inserted SD card as the target device, and click “Start” to write the image.
  • Once completed, remove the SD card and prepare to install the OS on the CM3588.

3.3 Insert SD Card and Boot

  • Insert the SD card into the CM3588’s SD card slot.
  • Connect the keyboard, mouse, and monitor (via HDMI), and plug in the Ethernet cable to ensure network connectivity.
  • Power on the CM3588, and the system will automatically boot from the SD card into the Ubuntu installation interface.
  • Follow the on-screen prompts to install the operating system on the CM3588’s 64GB eMMC onboard storage. This allows your external storage (NVMe SSDs) to be used exclusively for data storage without affecting OS performance.
  • After installation is complete, remove the SD card, and the system will reboot from the eMMC.

4. Configuring Hard Drives and RAID 1

4.1 Install NVMe SSDs

Insert the two 4TB NVMe SSDs into the CM3588’s two available NVMe slots, ensuring they are securely connected. The CM3588’s support for direct NVMe SSD connections ensures high-speed data transfer performance.

4.2 Verify Hard Drive Connections

After the system boots, run the following command to verify that the installed NVMe drives are properly connected:

lsblk

This will display all connected storage devices. NVMe SSDs typically appear as /dev/nvme0n1, /dev/nvme1n1, etc.

4.3 Create RAID 1 Array

To ensure data security and redundancy, the two NVMe SSDs can be configured in RAID 1. First, install the mdadm tool:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install mdadm

Next, create the RAID 1 array:

sudo mdadm --create /dev/md0 --level=1 --raid-devices=2 /dev/nvme0n1 /dev/nvme1n1

The system will prompt you to confirm whether to erase the data on the drives. Type yes and press Enter.

4.4 Format the RAID Array

Once the RAID array is created, format it as an EXT4 file system:

sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/md0

4.5 Mount the RAID Array

After creating and formatting the RAID 1 array, mount it to a directory, such as /mnt/nas:

sudo mkdir -p /mnt/nas
sudo mount /dev/md0 /mnt/nas

To ensure the RAID array automatically mounts on system startup, add the array’s path to the /etc/fstab file:

echo '/dev/md0 /mnt/nas ext4 defaults 0 0' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab

5. Installing Safeboxbd

5.1 Install Safeboxbd

Download the Safeboxbd ARM version from the official site and install it using the following command:

sudo dpkg -i safeboxbd-arm64.deb

5.2 Configure Safeboxbd

From the application list, find the Safeboxbd icon. Click to start Safeboxbd and select the file storage path as /mnt/nas. Uploaded files will be stored on the RAID 1 solid-state drives, completing the Safeboxbd setup.

6. Install the Mobilink Client

Download the Mobilink client. After installing the client, bind the Safeboxbd device using its serial number (SN). You can find detailed instructions on the official website. Once the binding is successful, you can access this NAS storage device from anywhere. Whether you’re working remotely or traveling, your home data will always be within reach.

7. Conclusion

By using FriendlyElec’s CM3588, you’ve successfully built a 4TB RAID 1 NAS system. This device not only offers ultra-fast data storage and transfer capabilities but also features low power consumption and minimal heat generation, eliminating the need for additional cooling fans. It operates silently, making it the perfect NAS for home or personal use. Additionally, with Safeboxbd and the Mobilink client, your data is securely encrypted and always accessible, whether at home or on the go.

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