Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

unRAID Server VS Openfiler

Compare unRAID Server VS Openfiler and see what are their differences

unRAID Server logo unRAID Server

A scalable, consumer-oriented, server operating system.

Openfiler logo Openfiler

Openfiler is the name of the open-source storage management system that is best known for its unified storage system.
  • unRAID Server Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-31
  • Openfiler Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-11

unRAID Server features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    unRAID provides a user-friendly web interface that simplifies the process of setting up and managing a NAS, making it accessible even for users without a deep technical background.
  • Flexible Storage Management
    It supports a mix of drive sizes and allows users to add drives as needed without rebuilding the entire array, offering significant flexibility in storage expansion.
  • Data Protection
    unRAID uses a parity drive system to protect against data loss. It allows recovery of data if one drive fails, similar to traditional RAID setups, but with more drive flexibility.
  • Docker and Virtual Machine Support
    Supports running Docker containers and virtual machines, enabling additional services and software to run directly on the server.
  • Energy Efficient
    Spins down drives that are not in use, reducing power consumption and extending the lifespan of the drives.

Possible disadvantages of unRAID Server

  • Cost
    Unlike some open-source alternatives, unRAID is not free and requires purchasing a license based on the number of attached storage devices.
  • Limited RAID Configurations
    Does not support some RAID levels (like RAID 5 or 6) natively, which can be a limitation for users seeking those specific features.
  • Single Parity Disk Limitation
    By default provides single or dual parity options, and users needing more robust redundancy need to consider this limitation.
  • Performance
    Write speeds to the array can be slower compared to traditional RAID configurations due to the parity calculations, which might affect large write operations.
  • Community-driven Support
    While there is an active user community, official support might not be as immediate or extensive as commercial solutions.

Openfiler features and specs

  • Cost-effective
    Openfiler is open-source and free to use, which makes it a cost-effective solution for organizations looking to implement a storage system without incurring high licensing fees.
  • Flexible and Scalable
    Openfiler supports multiple storage protocols like iSCSI, NFS, and CIFS/SMB, making it flexible for various network configurations and scalable to adapt to growing storage needs.
  • Web-based Management Interface
    The system provides a user-friendly web-based interface for managing storage resources, making it accessible to administrators without requiring extensive command-line knowledge.
  • Comprehensive Features
    Openfiler offers features such as RAID support, snapshots, quota management, and more, providing a comprehensive set of tools for storage management.
  • Community Support
    Being an open-source project, Openfiler benefits from a community of users and developers who can offer support, extension, and updates.

Possible disadvantages of Openfiler

  • Limited Official Support
    Unlike proprietary systems, Openfiler does not have dedicated, professional support, relying instead on community support, which can be less reliable.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    There may be limitations or challenges with hardware compatibility, as Openfiler may not support newer or specific hardware out-of-the-box.
  • Complex Setup for Advanced Features
    While the basic setup is relatively straightforward, configuring advanced features and tuning for performance can be complex and may require a deeper understanding of storage technologies.
  • Potential for Outdated Components
    Openfiler may not be updated as frequently as commercial products, potentially leading to the use of outdated software components and security vulnerabilities.
  • Documentation Quality
    The quality and comprehensiveness of documentation can vary, which might hinder deployment and troubleshooting for users unfamiliar with the system.

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Openfiler videos

OpenFiler Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to unRAID Server and Openfiler)
Storage
51 51%
49% 49
Cloud Storage
31 31%
69% 69
Cloud Computing
33 33%
67% 67
NAS Storage
100 100%
0% 0

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare unRAID Server and Openfiler

unRAID Server Reviews

15 Best FreeNas alternatives in 2020
One of the special features of unRAID Server is that it boots from a USB device and it can store memory up to 38TB. UnRAID Server can be used in any IT companies and big corporates where there are large sized files and folders. It has both registered and unregistered versions. This server runs perfectly on any operating system such as Windows, Apple, Linux, Mac,and UNIX. It...

Openfiler Reviews

Top 7 FreeNas Alternative For Your PC
Openfiler can convert the standard x86_64 system into the full-fledged NAS appliance and offers storage administrators the strong tool to handle burgeoning storage requirements. This OS makes sure that the storage administrators can make good use of the system performance & storage capacity resources while allocating & managing the storage in a multi-platform system.
Top 15 Best TrueNAS Alternatives In 2022
Openfiler is offered to users as free software and management system, and it even permits developers to look into the Openfiler source code. It is released underneath the GNU General Public License.
15 FreeNAS Alternatives 2020 | Best Storage Operating System
Created by Xinit Systems, Openfiler is an open-source storage management system that works as the best FreeNAS alternative in 2020. It has got recognition for its excellent attached storage and blocked based storage area network. Openfiler also provides the accounts management system, block-based virtualization, industry-standard protocol, resource allocation system, etc.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing unRAID Server and Openfiler, you can also consider the following products

OpenMediaVault - OpenMediaVault is the next generation network attached storage (NAS) solution based on Debian Linux.

TrueNAS Core - TrueNAS Core (formerly FreeNAS) is a storage operating system strong and robust enough to meet the needs of enterprise level businesses.

SnapRAID - A backup program for disk arrays. It stores parity information of your data and it recovers from up to six disk failures.

Amahi - Amahi is a media, home and app server software known for its easy-to-use user interface. Amahi has the best media, backup and web apps for small networks.

XigmaNAS - File Sharing, OS & Utilities, and Security & Privacy

ClearOS - A very good alternative for Windows Server, for free