45Drives has released the 45HomeLab and 45Professional Storage Setup Wizard, a free client application designed to simplify configuration of Linux/ZFS storage servers for both home and professional users. The tool represents a significant advancement in making enterprise-grade storage technology accessible without requiring Linux expertise or command-line knowledge.
The application allows users to configure HL15, HL8, or HL4 storage servers over a local network without needing to attach monitors, keyboards, or have prior Linux experience. Dr. Doug Milburn, President of 45Drives, stated that the wizard embodies the company's commitment to power, transparency, and education in open computing, putting best practices into the hands of any user without requiring command-line expertise.
Industry experts have welcomed the development. Robbie Andrews from NAS Compares noted that convenient client tools have long been demanded from competitors like TrueNAS and Unraid but never provided, making 45Drives' offering particularly significant in the market. The tool addresses the complexity that has traditionally made Linux-based storage systems challenging for non-technical users.
Key features include zero-peripheral setup that eliminates the need for monitors or keyboards, guided setup processes designed for users without Linux experience, smart RAID configuration that automatically sets up arrays based on best practices, and scheduled client backups to minimize data loss risks. The wizard also includes protection against data corruption through scheduled scrubs and protection against accidental deletion through scheduled snapshots.
Unlike overly automated tools that obscure critical decisions, the 45Drives wizard maintains transparency by showing users exactly what it's doing and why at every step. The application is tightly integrated with all 45HomeLab and 45Professional systems and is fully open source, actively maintained on the 45Drives GitHub repository.
The tool's importance lies in bridging the gap between the recognized performance and reliability of Linux/ZFS-based storage servers and the steep complexity that has traditionally limited their adoption. By making powerful open-source storage accessible to homelab enthusiasts backing up family photos and MSPs deploying systems for clients, the wizard ensures data is set up correctly from the beginning while maintaining the openness and user empowerment values central to the 45Drives community.
