[TriLUG] usb boot a storage server

[Nick]

Jason Tower wrote:

> i just ordered an inexpensive 1u server w/ 4x sata slots to be used as 
> a backup storage server.  assuming it will boot from a usb device i'd 
> like to set it up to boot linux via a smallish thumb drive, then 
> create a four disk software raid device, mount it as /archive, and 
> make it available via samba, nfs, and sshfs.
>
> has anyone ever done a setup like this before, or have a suggestion 
> for setting up the usb OS?
>
> jason

You could try FreeNAS. It's BSD that runs off a usb drive. 
http://www.freenas.org/
Nick