Connect your NAS anywhere using `Casa OS` and `Tailscale`¶

This is a step-by-step guide showing how to add a sleek web interface (CasaOS) to your NAS and make it accessible over the internet using Tailscale.
This way, you can manage and access your NAS from anywhere—without messy port forwarding or complicated VPN setups. Let’s dive in!

Part 1: Install CasaOS¶

Why CasaOS?¶

CasaOS is an open-source, simple home-server OS that gives you an attractive, user-friendly dashboard to manage apps, storage, and more.
It runs on top of your existing Ubuntu system, so you can keep all the stuff you’ve set up while getting a neat interface for day-to-day tasks.

Prerequisites¶

An Ubuntu-based machine (your old laptop serving as the NAS).
Docker installed (CasaOS uses Docker under the hood).
Check if Docker is installed:
```
docker --version
```

If not installed, follow Docker’s official installation guide or just run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker.io
sudo systemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker

Installing CasaOS¶

CasaOS provides a handy script to install everything in one go: This script will:
1. Verify your system requirements.
2. Install necessary dependencies.
3. Set up CasaOS and its Docker containers.
```
CasaOS provides a handy script to install everything in one go:
```
Once the script finishes, you should see instructions on how to access CasaOS’s web interface. Usually, you can head to:
```
http://<Your NAS IP>:80
```
(For example, http://192.168.1.100 if that’s your NAS IP.)

First-Time Setup of CasaOS¶

Open the web interface in your browser (on the same network, or eventually via Tailscale).
Create an account or log in (depending on the CasaOS version, you might be prompted to set up an admin account).
Explore the dashboard: You’ll see sections for Files, Apps, Settings, etc.

Part 2: Expose Your NAS Over the Internet Using `Tailscale`¶

Why Tailscale?¶

No port forwarding required: Tailscale creates a secure, peer-to-peer virtual network.
Simple setup: A single command to install, then log in with your Google, Microsoft, or GitHub account.
Secure: Everything is encrypted; you’re only exposing your NAS to your Tailscale network, not the entire internet.

Install Tailscale on Your NAS¶

Update your package list:
```
sudo apt update
```

Install Tailscale (for Ubuntu 20.04 and later):

curl -fsSL https://tailscale.com/install.sh | sh

Authenticate your NAS to your Tailscale account:
1. This command opens a browser window (or gives you a URL) asking you to log in to Tailscale.
2. Once logged in, your NAS will appear in your Tailscale admin console.
```
sudo tailscale up
```

Enable and start Tailscale:

sudo systemctl enable tailscaled
sudo systemctl start tailscaled

Accessing Your NAS via Tailscale¶

Install Tailscale into another devices (e.g. iphone), then you should able to see your NAS
When click in, You should see something like 100.xxx.xxx.xxx — that’s your NAS’s Tailscale IP address.

You can always goto https://login.tailscale.com/admin/machines to check your Tailscale device list

Final Wrap-Up¶

CasaOS gives your NAS a slick, friendly dashboard to manage apps and files.
Tailscale creates a secure, hassle-free way to access your NAS from anywhere in the world.

With these two tools combined, your old laptop becomes a powerful, user-friendly, and remotely accessible NAS solution. And you did it all without the headaches of port forwarding or clunky VPNs!

Happy remote NAS-ing! If you ever want to take it further, you could set up other containers in CasaOS, schedule automated backups, or explore Tailscale features like MagicDNS to use a personalized domain. Enjoy your new all-in-one storage system!

Connect your NAS anywhere using Casa OS and Tailscale¶