Convert your Mini PC/SBC to a NAS ! Introducing a portable 6 Bay NAS with 2.5 inch SSDs

As someone who uses a lot of tech daily, Network Attached Storage or NAS devices have become a fundamental part of my workflow. With an ever-increasing demand for storage and the high costs of managed backup solutions, I’ve noticed that many, including myself, are leaning towards either prebuilt NAS solutions or DIY builds using operating systems like TrueNAS and Unraid. Despite the plethora of options using 3.5-inch disk drives, solutions supporting only 2.5-inch SSD drives are rare. These drives are excellent for reducing size and weight. Using SATA SSDs, like the Samsung 8 Terabyte model, I believe could lead to some very effective and portable solutions for those of us who value mobility. Recently, I shared a video where I showcased a custom direct attached enclosure using only 2.5-inch drives which you all loved. Fulfilling a promise from that video, today I’m taking that build to a whole new level by converting it into a fully functioning portable NAS using only 2.5-inch SSDs. I’m excited to share this journey with you!

The core of any NAS setup is the compute module capable of managing the SATA connections, the drives, and setting up the network shares. I’ve found that a single board computer (SBC) with at least 4 processing cores and 8 gigabytes of RAM does the job well. Mini PCs are great starting points as they often come equipped with capable SBCs and at least one M.2 NVME slot for additional SATA ports. For my build, I’m using a Latte Panda Sigma board, which might be overkill, but since I had it on hand from another project, I decided to use it. The next piece I needed was an NVME to SATA adapter card, which I have with 6 SATA ports to accommodate all the drives I plan to use. For the drives, I’m using a 6 bay 2.5 inch hotswap cage with a SATA backplane and two molex power input ports, simplifying power management. For powering the drives, I’m reusing the pico PSU from my direct attached storage (DAS) build, which required a SATA to Molex adapter to create enough outputs for the drive bay cage.

I began the build by setting up the NVME slots. My SBC has two, so I used one for the OS drive. If your board doesn’t have two, you could use any available SATA or even USB ports for the OS drive. After installing the NVME to SATA adapter on the available M.2 key and attaching the custom SATA cables that came with the cage, I moved on to drive installation. The hotswap bays made this process straightforward. I built 40 mm standoffs to create space for the SATA cable bends and other components, like the PSU. The cables were quite rigid, so to alleviate stress on the adapter board, I secured them with zip ties to the standoff screws. After mounting the mainboard to the cage and connecting the power, I decided to run a quick test to see if the drives appeared in the Windows drive manager, which they did – a great sign!

I then focused on consolidating the power inputs. Most SBCs and the pico PSUs operate within the same voltage range, so I used a JST Cable connector to route the board voltage to the PSU. I adjusted the output with a buck converter to match the PSU’s requirements, ensuring everything was safely sealed with heat-resistant tape. With a single power input now driving both the SBC and the drive cage, I attached an external power switch to make it easily accessible once enclosed.

With the hardware fully functional and assembled, the last task was to build a case. I opted for walnut-themed plyboards, designing it to be as compact as possible while accommodating all necessary ports and ventilation. My craftsmanship may not be professional, but the focus was on functionality. I’m thrilled with the result—it mirrors the design ethos of my previous direct attached enclosure.

I truly hope this build has inspired you or taught you something new, even if you’re not planning to build your own NAS. Your feedback and ideas for future projects are always welcome in the comments.