TurnKey File Server
What TurnKey File Server is
TurnKey File Server is a free appliance for network-attached storage, combining Windows-compatible file sharing with a web-based file manager. It supports SMB, FTP, SFTP, NFS, WebDAV, and rsync. The WebDAV CGI interface provides browser access, previews of major file formats, and drag-and-drop support. Samba is set up with user home directories and public storage, with /srv/storage as the default shared path; administrators can configure Samba through a Webmin module. The appliance also includes SSL, zip, rar, and bz2 compression, plus a tool for converting text file endings between UNIX and DOS formats. It applies automatic security updates, and passwords are set during system initialization. The WebDAV CGI interface has a default maximum upload size of 1GB, adjustable in its configuration file. TurnKey offers a 723MB ISO and Hub deployment on Amazon EC2, with documented builds for several environments including bare metal, VirtualBox, VMware, OpenStack, Proxmox, Xen, LXC, and Docker. The appliance is free and open source; free community help is available through the maker's website.
Who it suits
TurnKey File Server suits people setting up Linux-based or self-hosted network storage who need several file-transfer protocols and browser-based file access. Administrators should consider its upload ceiling and the maker's guidance on secure remote access.
What it does well
- Supports SMB, FTP, SFTP, NFS, WebDAV, and rsync.
- Web interface includes previews and drag-and-drop.
- Samba includes home directories and public storage.
- Automatic security updates are included.
- Free and open source.
What to know first
- WebDAV CGI uploads default to a 1GB maximum.
- External SMB/CIFS access may require a VPN or SSH tunnel.
- Large, changing file sets can increase backup time and storage costs.
Limits
The WebDAV CGI interface defaults to a maximum upload size of 1GB, which can be changed in its configuration file. The free Hub Backup and Migration plan includes 1 backup record; storage is $0.03/GB per month.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hub Cloud Servers — Free | $0/ month · Micro server size · Unlimited servers · Community support · AWS usage billed separately | Free |
| TurnKey File Server appliance | Free and open source; no appliance price is stated. · Stable release 19.0-trixie · 723MB ISO | Free |
| Hub Backup and Migration — Free | $0/ month · 1 backup record · Community support · Encrypted cloud storage · Restore and migration tools · Storage $0.03/GB per month | Free |
As turnkeylinux.org lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the TurnKey File Server website.
- Choose a Linux or self-hosted deployment route, such as the 723MB ISO or TurnKey Hub on Amazon EC2.
- Select a documented build type for your environment, such as bare metal, VirtualBox, VMware, OpenStack, Proxmox, Xen, LXC, or Docker.
- Set passwords during system initialization.
- Configure Samba through Webmin if needed, using the preconfigured home and public shares.
Verdict
TurnKey File Server packages multiple sharing protocols, browser access, and administration tools in a free appliance. Review its upload setting, remote-access guidance, and backup trade-offs before choosing it for your storage setup.
Questions
What does TurnKey File Server cost?
The appliance is listed as free and described as free and open source. Hub Cloud Servers — Free costs nothing, with AWS usage billed separately.
Which file transfer protocols does it support?
It supports SMB, FTP, SFTP, NFS, WebDAV, and rsync.
Can I manage files through a browser?
Yes. The WebDAV CGI interface provides web access, online previews of major formats, and drag-and-drop support.
What is the default WebDAV upload limit?
The WebDAV CGI interface has a default maximum upload size of 1GB. The limit can be changed in its configuration file.
Where can I deploy the appliance?
TurnKey offers a 723MB ISO and deployment through TurnKey Hub on Amazon EC2. Documented build types include bare metal, VirtualBox, VMware, OpenStack, Proxmox, Xen, LXC, and Docker, among other environments.
What support is available?
The maker describes free community help through its website. Paid Hub plans offer email or priority support.
Facts from TurnKey File Server's own pages
- Additional features
- The appliance includes SSL support, zip, rar and bz2 compression support, and a utility to convert text file endings between UNIX and DOS formats. · turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Administration
- The appliance includes Webmin with a module for configuring Samba. · turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Backup limitation
- The maker notes that backing up many, large, or frequently changing files can substantially increase backup and restore times and storage costs. · turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- TurnKey offers the appliance as a 723MB ISO and supports deployment through TurnKey Hub on Amazon EC2. · turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2008 · turnkeylinux.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Ra'anana, Israel · turnkeylinux.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Maker
- TurnKey GNU/Linux describes itself as a free Debian-based library of system images that integrates free software components into ready-to-use solutions. · turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- It supports SMB, FTP, SFTP, NFS, WebDAV, and rsync file transfer protocols. · turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- TurnKey File Server is a ready-to-use network attached storage appliance combining Windows-compatible file sharing with a web-based file manager. · turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Secure remote access
- The maker recommends exposing only encrypted file-sharing protocols to hostile networks and suggests a VPN or SSH tunnel for external SMB/CIFS access. · turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Security
- Automatic security updates are listed as an appliance feature, and passwords are set during system initialization rather than supplied as defaults. · turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Storage setup
- Samba is preconfigured with user home directories and public storage, and its default shared storage path is /srv/storage. · turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker describes free community help through its website and offers Hub paid plans with email or priority support. · hub.turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Upload limit
- The WebDAV CGI web UI has a default maximum upload size of 1GB, which can be changed in its configuration file. · turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Virtualization
- TurnKey documentation lists build types for bare metal, VirtualBox, VMware, OpenStack, Proxmox, Xen, LXC, and Docker among other environments. · turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Web file manager
- The WebDAV CGI interface provides web access with online previews of major formats and drag-and-drop support. · turnkeylinux.org, 9 Oct 2026
Where TurnKey File Server stands on Freedom251
- NAS Software#13 of 21