NAS Case
The PINE64 NAS Case is intended for either a Network Attached Storage (NAS) or Desktop application, but it can also be used in a number of other server capacities. It is build from a precision-cut and powder-coated aluminum.
What does the NAS Case House?
The NAS Case can house the following components:
- A ROCKPro64 Single Board Computer (SBC) with a tall, mid-size or slim/ no heatsink
- A PCIe to dual SATA adapter or a different low-profile PCIe card, e.g. an NVMe adapter
- Either two 3.5” OR two 2.5” HDDs / SSDs; combination of any two sized drives is accepted
- A 80mm fan with a Ph 2-Pin connector
- Up to three SMA antennas, two of which can be attached to the WiFi/ BT module
What comes in the box?
When you purchase the NAS Case from the PINE store the following items are shipped to you:
- The NAS Case itself, which consists of a top and a bottom half as well as an internal HDD SSD mount.
- Two SATA cables
- A custom power cable capable of powering two 2.5” or 3.5” HDDs /SSDs
- The required screws, fittings and a LED relay
What other bare-minimum things do I need for a NAS build?
To assemble a functional NAS in the NAS Case you will require a number of additional parts. With the exception of HDDs/SSDs, everything you need for a complete build can be purchased from the PINE store:
- A ROCKPro64 2GB or 4GB board
- A 12V 5A power supply
- A PCIe to dual SATA adapter
- One or two 2.5”/ 3.5” HDDs (not sold in the PINE store).
- A class 10 micro SD card
What other things should I consider buying for a NAS build in the NAS Case?
There are a few other things which you may wish to consider purchasing for your NAS. These peripherals, while not necessary from an operational standpoint, may contribute to the longevity and stability of your NAS’ operation OR expand it with additional functionality:
- An eMMC module
- An eMMC to USB 2.0 adapter
- A tall heatsink (N.B. Any of the three available heatsinks will fit in the NAS Case)
- The WiFi / BT module
Which software should I use?
If you are intending to build a home or small company NAS, then we strongly recommend you use Open Media Vault (OMV). OMV is an open source NAS solution that makes setting up user accounts, network shares and services a breeze. It also simplifies installing additional features (called plugins), such as: PLEX media server; Remote Desktop; Encryption; RSync; etc.
Its worth noting that Nextcloud, or other similar Cloud storage solutions, can also be easily installed alongside the OMV OS Image.
Administration and monitoring of OMV is done via an advanced WebGUI, which also allows for updating and upgrading the ROCKPro64. To learn more about OMV please visit their website.
To download the latest OMV build OR one of the numerous available Linux Distribution OS Images please visit the ROCKPro64 OS download section.
Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions
Step 1. Preparation of the NAS Case for Installation
Remove the top of the NAS Case. It is held together by two screws on either side with the exception of the bottom (left, right, top and back). Once done, the top of the case should lift right off without any resistance.
The next step is to remove the HDD/SSD holding bracket, which is screwed into the bottom of the case. Flip the bottom over and undo the screws which hold the bracket in place.
You should now be left with a bare case ready for installation of the necessary components.
Step 2. Installing the ROCKPro64 into the NAS Case
Make sure nothing is plugged into your ROCKPro64 - including a micro SD card. If you intend to use a heatsink with your board then please install it now before proceeding.
Place your ROCKPro64 into the case with USB 2.0 and 3.0/C ports facing the front of the case. It should fit snugly and align with the port cut-outs in the case. Do not attempt at installing the board at an angle; insert it while holding it level and lowering it into the case.
Secure the board with 4x screws included in the see-through bag. Make sure that the board is held firmly in the case but do not overtighten the screws.
In the see-through bag you will also find a small semi-opaque plastic cylinder. This is the LED light lead and it should be installed from the outside of the case into the hole right over the reset (RST) switch. Simply press it into the hole until it sits tight.
If you wish to install an IRx received into your case then you should also place it into the IR socket at this stage. It should align with the cutout right above the power (PWR) switch.
Step 3 PCIe to SATA adapter and Cabling
With the board in place it's time to set up the PCIe to SATA adapter and do the cabling necessary to attach HDDs / SSDs.
Place the SATA Adapter into the PCIe slot on the ROCKPro64 board so that the holding bracket of the adapter faces the back of the case. In the back of the case there is a cutout for the PCIe adapter; the PCIe dual SATA adapter can be configured for eSATA if need be, and the eSATA ports are accessible in the back of the case. By default, the internal SATA connectors are active on the adapter.
Secure the PCIe dual SATA Adapter with a single screw at the top of the bracket, in the back of the NAS Case.
This is the right time to plug in the SATA and custom power cable. The SATA cables plug into the ports on the top of the adapter while the power cable plugs into the 12V header located on the board - just below the power socket, to the left of the Ethernet port (when viewed from front).
Have the cables hang outside the case or to the side for now so that they do not get in the way until they are needed.
Step 4. Installing HDDs / SSDs into the Holding Bracket
The next step is to install HDDs/ SSDs into their holding bracket; 2.5” drives need to be installed at the very bottom of the bracket while 3.5” drives are at the top of the the bracket.
For 2,5” drives make sure that the drives are oriented up and their SATA and power ports face the front of the NAS Case.
For 3.5” HDDs, make sure they are oriented up and their SATA and power ports face the right side of the NAS Case (towards the fan mounting location).
Each drive you mount in the holding bracket requires 4x screws which come supplied in the see-through bag. Make sure the drives are held in place firmly but do not over-tighten the screws.
Once the holding bracket is assembled and you have your drives mounted, please set it aside and proceed to the next step.
Step 5. Installing Extras (eMMC; WiFi BT module + SMA Antennas; 80mm Fan)
If you have additional peripherals, such as an eMMC or WiFi/BT module as well as the 80mm fan, then now is the right time to install them. If you have none of the above, please proceed to step 6 of this guide.
The eMMC and WiFi/BT modules are fitted into their respective placements on the ROCKPro64 board - please consult the diagram for their correct installation.
If you intend to use external u.FL to SMA antennas in the NAS Case then this is also the time to install them into the case. In the back section of the case at the very top you will find three cut-outs where the SMA antennas can be fitted. Don’t plug the u.FL leads antenna leads into the WiFi/BT module just yet - instead wait until after the disk holding bracket is installed into the case (step 6).
The fan should be mounted on the right-hand side of the case. We suggest that the fan is oriented for negative pressure, blowing air out of the case rather than taking air in. For best cable management results, have the fan power lead face the front of the case so that it can easily be routed to its header located next to GPIO pins on the ROCKPro64. The fan should be secured using 4x long screws (that fasten into bolts) which can be found in the see-through bag supplied with the NAS Case. Plug in the fan at this stage of the installation and route the cable at the bottom of the front of the case.
Step 6. Installing the HDD / SSD Bracket and Routing Cables
Installing the HDD/SSD bracket into the case and wiring it up is the last step before closing up the case.
Place the bracket with the disks installed in the case. The bracket should line up with the guiding bolts and screw holes at the bottom of the case. The section of the bracket that holds 3.5” HDDs needs to face the left side of the case (when viewed from front) and should overhang the ROCKPro64 board slightly. The 3.5” SATA and power ports should face the right side of the case - where the fan mounts, while 2.5” SATA and power ports should face the front of the case.
With the bracket aligned, flip the bottom of the case over while holding the bracket in place. Screw it into place using 4x phillips head screws that came included with the NAS Case.
The last thing remaining before the NAS Case can be screwed shut is routing SATA and power cables: For 3.5” HDDs we suggest routing power and SATA cables underneath the drives, where 2.5” HDDs/SSDs would otherwise reside.
For 2.5” disks you have plenty of routing options as there is much space available. The most obvious route is straight over the disks, where the 3.5” HDDs would reside.
Step 7. Closing the NAS Case and Powering On your NAS
Almost there. All that's left to do is to screw together the NAS Case. Screw in the top front screws first followed by screws on either side of the case. Do the back screws last. There, you are done.
To power on your new NAS Case and HDDs all you need to do is to plug in power and Ethernet (This is obviously assuming that you are intending to use it as a NAS or a headless server).
IO accessibility when the NAS Case is assembled
When the NAS Case is assembled and screwed shut you have still plenty of IO ports that are accessible:
- Micro SD slot
- USB 2.0
- USB 3.0 and USB type C
- Power and Reset switches
- The headphone and microphone jack
- Infrared receiver
- Gigabit Ethernet port