iXsystems FreeNAS V.11.2 Open Source Unified File, Block, and Object Storage OS

Enterprise storage and server vendor iXsystems, Inc. has released FreeNAS 11.2, the latest version of its Open Source unified file, block, and object storage OS.

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FreeNAS is free to download and can be used to convert virtually any x86 hardware into a full-featured storage system.

FreeNAS 11.2 debuts a new Angular-based web interface, making it the first Open Source storage OS to incorporate Google’s  JavaScript framework. This release also introduces virtualization and container subsystems, plus support for Self-Encrypting Drives (SED) to comply with mission-critical security and privacy regulations.

TrueNAS systems

Modernized web interface and user experience
Proven by Google and many of top websites, Angular now powers the FreeNAS web interface for a responsive, intuitive, and mobile-friendly user experience.

Angular provides a device-independent framework that lays the groundwork for future FreeNAS usability enhancements which will soon be included in TrueNAS enterprise storage solutions.

This web interface will attract a wider audience of developers to the FreeNAS platform and accelerate its collaborative innovation. FreeNAS 11.2 allows the user to choose between the new and legacy web interfaces, preserving their investment in user training. Advanced users can also manage FreeNAS via its REST and WebSockets APIs.

Enhanced virtualization and plug-ins
Included with FreeNAS 11.2 is an updated plug-in and virtualization infrastructure that simplifies the integration of third-party applications by leveraging the FreeBSD bhyve hypervisor and iocage Jail management subsystems. It is an open source project to provide web interfaces and REST APIs to these virtualization solutions, providing two choices for integrating applications into FreeNAS.

Plug-ins enable FreeNAS to deliver application and network services like Bacula, ClamAV, Plex, Nextcloud, Gitlab, Jenkins, and Zoneminder, all with OpenZFS integration.

Enhanced cloud integration
As an integral part of any storage and backup solution, FreeNAS 11.2 expands its vendor-agnostic CloudSync services integration to include cloud services providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, Backblaze, Box.com, Dropbox, and Google. It offers data encryption both in-flight and at-rest with most providers, and can serve as an Amazon S3 Simple Storage Service-compatible host to provide a private cloud solution.

Encryption options to meet compliance requirements
FreeNAS 11.2 also supports Self-Encrypting Drives (SED), allowing compatibility with such government security standards as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and FIPS 140-2. SED support builds upon software-based, full-disk encryption to provide the user with multiple encryption options.

More information about FreeNAS and TrueNAS regulation compliance can be found in the TrueNAS Privacy and Security Compliance Features white paper.

“FreeNAS 11.2’s new web interface, plug-ins, and APIs represent a huge step forward in usability. We preserved the familiar FreeNAS workflow, while providing a solid foundation for the future of FreeNAS. We are very excited to make your NAS both easier to use and more powerful for years to come.” said Kris Moore, VP engineering, iXsystems.