How I Built My Own NAS Server Using TrueNAS and Plex on a Free PC

It started when a local school decided to throw out a few old desktop computers. I managed to get one — an aging PC that most people would have considered electronic waste. To me, it looked like an opportunity to learn something new and build something useful.

After a bit of research, I decided to turn that PC into a personal NAS (Network Attached Storage) system using TrueNAS. It offered the flexibility, web interface, and data management I needed without requiring enterprise-level hardware.

I replaced the old hard drive with a 1TB spare and installed TrueNAS Core. The setup process was straightforward, but the real magic happened once I configured ZFS storage pools and network shares. I could now back up my important files, code repositories, and project archives right at home.

The next step was adding Plex Media Server on top of it. With that, my NAS wasn’t just storage anymore—it became my personal streaming platform. I could access movies, shows, and music across my home network from any device.

Looking back, it’s incredible how a discarded PC turned into a reliable, self-hosted storage and entertainment hub. More importantly, it became a foundation for all my later homelab projects.

Takeaway:
Building a NAS from scratch isn’t just about saving money—it’s about understanding how data is stored, shared, and secured. TrueNAS made it easy to learn that, one storage pool at a time.