This is a basic guide to help you setting up Helios4 NAS with [OpenMediaVault](https://www.openmediavault.org/) (**OMV**). OMV offers a large collection of features that we don't cover here. We invite you to look online for the existing OMV guides or go on the [OMV forum](https://forum.openmediavault.org/).
OpenMediaVault (OMV) is a next-gen network attached storage (NAS) software based on Debian Linux. It contains services like SSH, (S)FTP, SMB/CIFS, DAAP media server, RSync, BitTorrent client and many more... all configurable via a Web Control Panel. Thanks to a modular framework design, new features can be added to OMV via plugins. It is a simple and easy to use out-of-the-box solution that will allow everyone to install and administrate a Network Attached Storage without deeper knowledge.
You can choose to go for RAID6 but take in consideration that the building will take up to 3 times the building time of RAID10. There are plenty of threads online which compare the pros and cons between each RAID option.
While you could carry on with some part of OMV configuration during the RAID re-syncing process, we strongly advice to let this process complete first. You should see the following in the RAID state once re-syncing is complete : **active**.
Whenever you change some settings in OMV, the following banner will appear. You can immediately apply the configuration by clicking **Apply** or you can carry on with your configuration and apply the changes at a later stage.
To have a better control of storage partitioning we will use Linux Logical Volume Manager (LVM). To create Logical Volume in OMV you will need first to install the LVM plugin.
> Go to **Plugins** page in *System* section.
To get the latest plugins you will need to update the plugins database.
> Click **Check**
Once plugins database update is done :
> Search for *lvm* in the search field.
> Select openmediavault-lvm2 and click **Install**.
While you could choose BTRFS as a copy-on-write File system (COW), we recommend to use to EXT4 unless you know how to take advantage of BTRFS features.
You can see the ongoing formatting process. You don't have to wait the process to finish.
In this guide we will create a super user *john* that will have the write access on the share folders we will create. We will also give SSH access and sudo right to this user.
> Go to **User** page in *Access Rights Management* section.
Now you need to create Shared Folders that will be exposed through network sharing services. OMV offers many sharing service options, however in this guide we only show how to setup a Windows Share which is the most common option.
> Go to **Share Folders** page in *Access Rights Management* section.
We will now activate the Windows Share service (a.k.a SMB/CIFS) and enlist the Share Folders you created previously.
> Go to **SMB/CIFS** page in *Services* section.
> Toggle the Enable button under *General Settings*.
> Go to *Shares* tab.
> Click **Add**.
> Choose a Shared Folder that you created previously.
> Choose the Public settings (e.g Guests Allowed).
> Click **Save**
Once done you can see the list of active Shares.
!!! info
Don't forget to apply your settings by clicking **Apply** when the following banner appears.
**Now you should be able to access your Share Folders from your laptop / computer connected to your Home network.**
## Accessing Shared Folder (Linux / Ubuntu)
### Using File Manager
Some Linux flavors, like Ubuntu, provide File Manager that supports natively Windows Share Folder discovery and access.
> Open File Manager
> Go to Network
> Click **helios4 - SMB/CIFS**
!!! info
If your File Manager doesn't find helios4, it can be due that your laptop / computer is not on the same subnet that Helios4. Check your network configuration.
> Click on one of the Share Folders (e.g movie).
> Select *Registered User*.
> Enter Username and Password of the user you created previously (e.g john).
If your File Manager doesn't find helios4, it can be due that your laptop / computer is not on the same subnet that Helios4. Check your network configuration.
> Go to Helios4.
> Right-Click on a Share Folder and click **Map network drive...**.
> Check *Connect using different credentials*.
> Click **Finish**.
> Enter Username and Password of the user you created previously (e.g john).
