FreeNAS 9.2.1.5 setup

Before we start

• We used a virtualized setup in order to create this walkthrough, using generic domain & computer names where possible.
• We used the private IP address range of 10.10.10.x - obviously you'll want to replace our internal IP addresses with your own
  • We used a single Active Directory domain controller, to keep things simple. We then configured the following network settings, which is reflected throughout this document:
    • Gateway: 10.10.10.1
    • DNS: 10.10.10.3
    • NTP: 10.10.10.3
    • DC (Domain Controller): 10.10.10.3
    • FreeNAS: 10.10.10.4

• Where appropriate, we'll make a note of where additional server IP's can be entered, for redundancy

Getting started with FreeNAS

Initial connection

• When FreeNAS 9.2.1.5 is first installed, the network adapter is set to DHCP - we will change this a few steps down. We will be configuring FreeNAS purely from the webUI, so make a note of the IP on the FreeNAS server console:

• Use your favorite web browser to connect to that address - the first visit to the FreeNAS webUI will prompt you for a password, for the default user root

Configuring networking

• Click on Network -> Global Configuration
  • Hostname: freenas (this needs to match the DNS "A" record & computer account name you created during the Active Directory prep)
  • Domain: example-domain.net
  • IPv4 Default Gateway: 10.10.10.1
  • Nameserver 1: 10.10.10.3
  • Click "Save"

• Click on Network -> Interfaces -> Add Interface
  • NIC: select the NIC being used by FreeNAS (single NIC systems only have 1 item in the dropdown list)
  • Interface Name: em0 (We named it the same as what FreeNAS names it, for consistency - you can name it whatever you like)
  • DHCP: unchecked
  • IPv4 Address: 10.10.10.4 (this needs to match the DNS "A" record you created during the Active Directory prep)
  • IPv4 Netmask: /24
  • Click "Save"
    • The new IP address takes effect immediately - repoint your browser to the new address to continue

• Click on Network -> Network Summary to verify previous settings

Configuring Time Server

• Click on System -> NTP Servers -> View NTP Servers
  • Remove all 3 default NTP servers
  • Click Add NTP Server
    • Address: 10.10.10.3
    • Prefer: checked (only if you have other time servers configured)
    • Leave everything else at its default setting

• Now that the time server is set, you need to set your time zone
• Click on Settings -> General
  • Timezone: (obviously select YOUR time zone)
  • Directory Service: Active Directory (since we plan on using Active Directory)
  • Click "Save"

Creating a Storage Pool

• Your storage pool has to be created before you configure FreeNAS to use Active Directory, however that is beyond the scope of this how-to
• We suggest giving cyberjocks excellent PowerPoint presentation explaining VDev, zpool, ZIL and L2ARC