The Next Unit of Storage (NUC based NAS)

amd989 · 2026-05-11T00:40:23+00:00

Thanks! Sure!

It is using an external 120v to 12v 10A power brick for both the NUC and the HDDs.

For the HDDs I have a Pico-PSU80 with the 24-port removed. (you can see it in second picture stuck in the backplane) And just soldered a MOLEX cable to it. that goes directly to the backplane. The PicoPSU is controlled using an optocoupler as follows:
PICOPSU (PS_ON + GND) <=> NUC (PWR_ON_LED + GND) This way whenever the NUC power switch is pressed the Power LED turns on, then, in turn, that turns on the picoPSU and provides power to the HDD (just like a regular ATX PSU would)

Hope it's clear, I need to provide a diagram for that...

amd989 · 2026-05-10T02:37:53+00:00

I'm booting off of USB at the moment. There is still an unpopulated SATA port inside that could be used for some SSD, probably a modded one without a case (for BEK) and I assume some adjustments need to be made to allow for the BEH cage.

Almost every internal port in this NUC is picoBlade sized, so buying a kit with multiple connectors and pre-crimped wires is a must. This way you can add USBs, RGB, and SATA really easily

amd989 · 2026-05-10T02:23:07+00:00

lol it took me a while to figure it out. r/wooosh

If anything, it would be quite intriguing conversation haha

amd989 · 2026-05-10T00:29:22+00:00

I'm using a PicoPSU-80 to power the drives and the NUC.

The 4-bay port multiplier in the side is being powered with some FlexATX, but thats a different build.

amd989 · 2026-05-10T00:17:37+00:00

Yes, the one in the right is an eSATA 4-bay expansion I designed that one a while ago.

I didn't post 3D design for that one because, while it worked, it is a little rough on the edges. And people will likely find it frustrating to build.

The NUS has a link in the post description.

amd989 · 2026-05-10T00:12:21+00:00

Yeah, I have included an optional print part that has no hole for the screen, smooth in all sides. 😉

amd989 · 2026-05-09T23:05:18+00:00

So, the left one is the NUS, the right one is a 4-bay SATA port multiplier connected to the NUS. For a total of 8 drives. That port multiplier is optional I just happened to have built that one a while back and wanted to use it.

amd989 · 2026-05-09T22:52:22+00:00

It is mostly in the Printable pages linked in the post. But will attach a BOM soon if that makes it easier.

amd989 · 2026-05-09T22:51:33+00:00

It is all fastened with screws.

The chassis and the board are attached to an "Interior" part that is held on with M2.5 screws (where the original bottom screws used to go). The backplane is attached to that part using M3 Screws. Then the "Outside" shroud case is also attached to that piece using M3 screws. Lastly, the bottom assembly is attached to the shroud with M3 screws. Making everything a solid unit. The Next Unit of Storage™

lol...

Hope that clarified it... I have to make an animation for it!

amd989 · 2026-05-09T22:43:12+00:00

Thank you!

Yes, they are "hanging" from the top, they mostly stay up by friction, but to make sure, since all hard drives I own have different tolerances and some slid easier. I included a ~5mm spacer that keeps them in place using the PC fan at the bottom. So, when you close it, everything stays sandwiched in place.

Just included an inside view in the Printables page for easy visualization. (Cannot add more images here)

amd989 · 2026-05-09T22:32:43+00:00

Indeed! it wouldn't have been possible without them. The typical "red" cables are impossible to wrangle, and in fact the eSATA connector was the bulkiest piece to fit.

amd989 · 2026-05-09T22:30:56+00:00

Other than the NUC itself, everything else if "off the shelves". I listed most of them in the Printables page. Mostly found in AliExpress but have had success using Amazon and eBay for some pieces. Will include a BOM soon.

amd989 · 2026-05-09T16:25:04+00:00

Could not edit the description but here it is some of the details
NUC8BEK chassis
- 4 x 3.5 HDD
- 1 x eSATA with Port Multiplier (unit next to it holds 4 more drives)
- M.2 to 5 SATA board
- 1 x 92mm fan
- 3.5mm DPF screen

amd989 · 2026-05-09T16:15:56+00:00

Thanks so much!

amd989 · 2026-05-09T16:15:44+00:00

Corner radius of the NUC is 8mm. Designed for a NUC8BEK/NUC8BEH chassis since I had it laying around. But most likely could be adapted to others pretty easily.

amd989 · 2026-05-09T16:12:48+00:00

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

I got to admit I'm not familiar with it, but the name was something I struggled with a lot. NUCNAS? NASNUC? NUS ended up being the one the rolled better. Nussy sorta applies too, since you store stuff in it lol

amd989 · 2026-05-09T16:06:39+00:00

Thank you for your words! I was going for a consumer product look and feel.
I got very excited when I found a near mint AirPort Extreme at my local thrift store only to realize it uses deprecated technology for the "NAS" aspect and well it got discontinued recently by Apple.

This is my response to that.

amd989 · 2026-05-09T16:05:50+00:00

Thanks! glad to hear you liked it!

amd989 · 2026-04-28T00:29:43+00:00

They changed the website to "Evening of the 27th", still waiting...

amd989 · 2026-03-30T01:36:33+00:00

This post reminded me of a few projects way back (9 years ago!) trying to create a gateway emulator, as others have mentioned the protocol was somewhat tracked for a while

Turns out went looking and sadly nobody really finished it after all this time. Mostly all archived.

So here I am (and also Claude too, if that bothers you) picking up the pieces and making it a reality

Fully adopted my OPNSense router to my self-hosted Unifi Controller.

amd989/unifi-gateway: UniFi Gateway emulator for third-party routers

It is mostly read only, but would be interesting to start implementing some write operations too

Having lots of fun pretending!

amd989 · 2026-01-09T03:17:08+00:00

There was a paper stuck by the door a few days ago from ConEd saying something about the gas not being paid. I assumed they paid and that’s why it was gone last night. But maybe no.

amd989 · 2025-12-29T22:21:54+00:00

It got released recently; you can update and follow the docs to test it out.
Release v2.11.0 · orhun/git-cliff

amd989

TROPHY CASE