XigmaNAS
What XigmaNAS is
XigmaNAS is a free, open-source operating system for turning a 64-bit system into a network-attached storage server. Designed with home users and small businesses in mind, it provides a WebGUI for configuring and managing the server without using the FreeBSD command line. Storage options include ZFS, software RAID, JBOD, UFS, and disk encryption. Sharing protocols include SMB/CIFS, FTP/SFTP, SSH, NFS, AFP, RSYNC, Unison, and iSCSI, with compatible access listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android systems. S.M.A.R.T. monitoring and email notifications can alert users to drive issues. The system also includes a web-based VirtualBox host for virtual machines managed by phpVirtualBox, plus MySQL via MariaDB and phpMyAdmin. Installation media includes LiveCD and LiveUSB images, alongside embedded and full upgrade images. Embedded installs specify a 2 GB OS disk and 512 MB RAM; full installs specify a 4 GB disk and the same memory. Disk encryption is marked unsupported, and recovery assistance for encrypted data is not offered. Community help is available through a forum and IRC channel.
Who it suits
XigmaNAS suits home users or small businesses setting up a network storage server on 64-bit hardware. It may appeal to administrators who want web-based management and support for multiple storage and sharing protocols.
What it does well
- Free, open-source NAS operating system
- WebGUI avoids FreeBSD command-line management
- Supports ZFS, software RAID, JBOD, and UFS
- S.M.A.R.T. monitoring and email alerts
- Includes a web-based VirtualBox host
What to know first
- Supports 64-bit systems only
- Embedded and full installs have stated OS-disk minimums
- Disk encryption is marked unsupported
- IRC replies may take time
Limits
Embedded installs require at least a 2 GB OS disk and 512 MB RAM; full installs require at least a 4 GB OS disk and 512 MB RAM. XigmaNAS supports 64-bit systems only, and its disk-encryption guide labels that feature unsupported.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| XigmaNAS | Open-source NAS operating system · 64-bit systems | Free |
As xigmanas.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the XigmaNAS website.
- Choose a LiveCD or LiveUSB image for initial installation.
- Select an embedded install with at least a 2 GB OS disk, or a full install with at least a 4 GB OS disk.
- Provide at least 512 MB RAM.
- Use the WebGUI to configure and manage the server.
Verdict
XigmaNAS offers a broad set of storage and network-sharing options, with web-based administration and monitoring. Its 64-bit requirement and the unsupported status of disk encryption are important to consider before installation.
Questions
Is XigmaNAS free?
Yes. Its plan is listed as free, and the software is open source.
Which systems can access shares?
The project lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android systems using compatible network protocols.
What storage and sharing options does it support?
Storage options include ZFS, software RAID, JBOD, UFS, and disk encryption. Sharing protocols include SMB/CIFS, FTP/SFTP, SSH, NFS, AFP, RSYNC, Unison, and iSCSI.
What hardware does XigmaNAS require?
It supports 64-bit systems only. The stated minimum is a 2 GB OS disk and 512 MB RAM for embedded installs, or a 4 GB OS disk and 512 MB RAM for full installs.
Where can users get help?
The project points users to its forum and IRC channel. It notes that IRC replies may take time.
Facts from XigmaNAS's own pages
- Client compatibility
- The project lists sharing support for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android systems using compatible network protocols. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2005 · xigmanas.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Install media
- Download options include LiveCD and LiveUSB images for initial installation, plus embedded and full upgrade images. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project describes XigmaNAS as designed with home users and small businesses in mind. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Management
- Its WebGUI lets administrators configure and manage the server without using the FreeBSD command line. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Monitoring
- S.M.A.R.T. monitoring and email notifications can alert users to drive issues. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Notable install limit
- The feature list specifies minimum OS disks of 2 GB for embedded installs and 4 GB for full installs, with 512 MB RAM for each. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Other included software
- The documentation says MySQL via MariaDB and phpMyAdmin are included. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- XigmaNAS is an open-source NAS operating system for creating a network-attached storage server. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Security caveat
- The disk-encryption guide calls the feature unsupported and says users should not expect help recovering data encrypted with it. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Sharing protocols
- Supported protocols include SMB/CIFS, FTP/SFTP, SSH, NFS, AFP, RSYNC, Unison, and iSCSI. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Storage
- It supports ZFS, software RAID, JBOD, UFS, and disk encryption. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project points users to its forum and IRC channel for community help, and notes IRC replies may take time. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Supported architecture
- The download documentation says XigmaNAS supports 64-bit systems only. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Virtualization
- XigmaNAS includes a web-based VirtualBox host for running virtual machines managed by phpVirtualBox. · xigmanas.com, 4 Oct 2026
Where XigmaNAS stands on Freedom251
- NAS Software#15 of 21