Installing UNRAID on a ReadyNas Ultra 4

[Waywardlion]

How would I install UNRAID on to a Netgear ReadyNas Ultra 4? As of right now I can not locate a method to plug in a display to try and access bios. Any help would be appreciated.

[JonathanM]

I don't believe the motherboard in that unit would run Unraid, it came with 1GB, and I don't believe it's officially upgradeable, and even unofficially it seems the max is 2GB.

Unraid needs minimum 4GB, it's happier with 8 or more.

[Supertramp]

I am using Unraid successfully on a ReadyNAS Pro 6 with 4GB memory. Had to buy one of these to connect a VGA screen and update the BIOS:

https://pccables.com//cgi-bin/orders6.cgi?action=Base&search=VGA_PORT_HD15F_PORT_To_IDC16

Not sure if the Ultra has the same connector on its motherboard.

 

After a bit of learning and trying, I am very pleased with the Unraid software and it has given my "old" Pro 6 a new and useful life managing 18TB of storage.

Edited June 21, 2023 by Supertramp

[porternas]

Hey There

 

I am looking at doing the exact same thing with my Ultra 4 Plus

 

I have upgraded the RAM tp 4gb a long time ago

 

Do you have instructions? I have access viw serial connection so can manage the boot etc

[porternas]

I have made the USB boot key, and booted into unraid

 

Wondering if there is anyway to write to the internal storage - Unfortunately its very small at 125mb

[SimonF]

On 6/6/2023 at 10:18 PM, JonathanM said:

I don't believe the motherboard in that unit would run Unraid, it came with 1GB, and I don't believe it's officially upgradeable, and even unofficially it seems the max is 2GB.

Unraid needs minimum 4GB, it's happier with 8 or more.

I have a test QNAP with only 2GB and it runs 6.12 fine. But you cannot run CA. But as it is a test machine doesn't get stressed much.

[trurl]

7 minutes ago, porternas said:

I have made the USB boot key, and booted into unraid

 

Wondering if there is anyway to write to the internal storage - Unfortunately its very small at 125mb

If you are thinking of booting from that internal storage, that won't work. Unraid must boot from that USB boot key.

[porternas]

2 minutes ago, trurl said:

If you are thinking of booting from that internal storage, that won't work. Unraid must boot from that USB boot key.

Cheers, Have it running from a USB - Now to lear unraid and best practice n arrays and shares

 

Problem with the Readynas is that you must press the "backup" button in order to boot from a USB key

 

Not an issue, will just open up and jumper the button yto always be in a closed state

[Supertramp]

12 hours ago, porternas said:

Problem with the Readynas is that you must press the "backup" button in order to boot from a USB key

Not if you update the BIOS:

a.      Disable all Hard Disk Drives, except the Unraid USB

b.      Ensure that Boot Device Priority shows Unraid USB

 

IMG_1015.HEIC IMG_1016.HEIC

Edited June 22, 2023 by Supertramp

[Supertramp]

... and if you install these plugins, the fans of your ReadyNAS are nicely controlled as well:

- Dynamix Auto Fan Control

- Dynamix System Information

- Dynamix System Temperature

- ITE IT87 Driver

Works like a charm.