TrueNAS SCALE Server Build

Custom-built TrueNAS server

November 2025

Project Overview

Complete hardware build and infrastructure setup for my TrueNAS server. Built from the ground up. Overcame initial hardware challenges (defective motherboard RMA) to create a solid foundation for media automation, photo storage, home automation, backups, and personal tools. The server currently runs 55 active containers and two TrueNAS apps.

Hardware Specifications

CPU Intel Core i5-12500
RAM 32GB DDR5-4800
Motherboard ASRock B760M Pro RS
Storage Pool 2x 8TB Seagate IronWolf
Total Capacity 7.27TB usable
Operating System TrueNAS SCALE 25.10.1

Build Challenge
First motherboard was DOA (wouldn't POST). RMA'd, replaced, then completed installation without further issues.

TrueNAS Apps


  • Cloudflared: Cloudflare Tunnel daemon for secure public access to select services
  • Tailscale: Zero-trust mesh VPN for remote access and subnet routing

Docker Services

Movies & TV Show Automation


  • autobrr: IRC announce grabber that pushes matching releases directly to Radarr/Sonarr within seconds of tracker announcement
  • Bazarr: Subtitle automation for movies and TV shows
  • Kometa: Automated metadata and artwork updates for media libraries
  • Maintainerr: Automated library cleanup on its own schedule, independent from qBittorrent seed retention
  • Plex Media Server: CPU transcoding and direct streaming, port forwarded for remote access
  • Prowlarr: Unified indexer manager, auto-syncs to Sonarr/Radarr, multiple private tracker integrations
  • qBittorrent: Download client, seeding optimized for private trackers
  • Radarr: Movie automation with Trakt list monitoring, hardlinks enabled for efficient storage
  • Seerr: User request management for media libraries
  • Sonarr: TV show automation with Trakt list monitoring, hardlinks enabled for efficient storage
  • Tautulli: Plex monitoring and analytics, tracks watch history and server performance
  • Unpackerr: Automatic extraction of compressed downloads (RAR, ZIP, 7z)

Audiobook Automation


  • Audiobookshelf: Audiobook and podcast library management with progress tracking, consumed by Prologue on iOS
  • ReadMeABook: Audiobook Library Manager/Request Manager (Seerr for Audiobooks)

Security & Monitoring


  • Diun: Docker image update notifications
  • Dozzle: Real-time Docker log viewer
  • Frigate NVR: Six-camera NVR with Quick Sync VAAPI stream decoding
  • Mosquitto: MQTT broker for IoT device communication
  • Uptime Kuma: Service monitoring for all containers and apps

Productivity & Content


  • Homepage: Custom dashboard providing unified interface for all services
  • Immich: Photo management
  • Joplin: Note-taking with PostgreSQL backend, mobile sync
  • Linkding: Bookmark manager
  • Miniflux: Self-hosted RSS reader, consumed by NetNewsWire on iOS
  • Nextcloud: File sync and storage with PostgreSQL backend, Redis cache

Projects & Utilities


  • Bytestash: Self-hosted code snippet manager
  • Finance: Tailscale-only personal finance API, Postgres database, dashboard, and weekly home value scraper
  • Honeygain: Peer-to-peer network for sharing internet bandwidth
  • nbn-llm: Local LLM microservice for nbnstack.com experiments
  • nbnstack: nginx container serving this website
  • notes-api: FastAPI micro-blog API for nbnstack.com notes (dormant)
  • Office Bets: Node/Express tracker for billions.nbnstack.com

Data Protection & Backup Strategy

Provider Backblaze B2
Schedule Daily at 3:00 AM
Scope Critical data

Off-Site
Backblaze B2 provides geographic redundancy. Media downloads excluded as they can be re-acquired if needed.

UPS Power Protection & Monitoring

Model CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
Capacity 1500VA / 1000W
Outlets 12 Total (Battery + Surge)

Monitoring & Integration


  • Automated Alerts: Notifications for power events, low battery, and overload conditions
  • Home Assistant: Real-time UPS status visualization in custom dashboards
  • Metrics Tracked: Battery level, load percentage, input/output voltage, runtime estimates

Power Continuity
Provides clean, regulated power to server during outages and voltage fluctuations. Pure sine wave output ensures compatibility with server PSU and prevents hardware stress.

Network Security

  • Authentication: All exposed services password-protected or using Plex SSO
  • Cloudflare Tunnel: Encrypted tunnel without port forwarding (except Plex)
  • Tailscale: Zero-trust mesh VPN for all administrative remote access
  • TrueNAS Firewall: Default restrictive configuration with minimal open ports
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