If you’re looking to build your own NAS (Network Attached Storage), media server, or even a virtual machine host, you’ve probably heard of Unraid. It’s a powerful and flexible operating system designed for home lab enthusiasts, content creators, and anyone looking to centralize storage with ease.

But here’s the catch — Unraid is not software you install on top of an existing operating system like Ubuntu. Instead, it’s a standalone OS that completely replaces the current OS on your hardware. That said, let’s dive deeper into what Unraid is, what makes it unique, and how to get it up and running (plus what to do if you’re already using Ubuntu Server).

🧠 What Is Unraid?

Unraid is a Linux-based operating system designed primarily for:

• NAS (file storage and sharing)
• Media servers (like Plex, Jellyfin)
• Docker container hosting
• Virtual machines with GPU passthrough

What makes Unraid stand out is its unique hybrid RAID system. Unlike traditional RAID, Unraid lets you mix-and-match drives of different sizes and allows for individual disk failure recovery, which is super flexible for home setups.

🛠️ Can You Install Unraid on Ubuntu Server?

No, Unraid does not run on Ubuntu. It replaces Ubuntu (or any other OS) on your server. It boots directly from a USB drive and takes control of your hardware.

If you’re currently running Ubuntu Server and want to switch to Unraid, you’ll need to:

• Back up your data.
• Prepare a bootable USB drive with Unraid.
• Boot your server from the USB stick.
• Install and configure Unraid from scratch.

🚀 How to Install Unraid (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Backup Important Data

Unraid will take over your system and potentially format drives. Backup everything you need before continuing.

Step 2: Download Unraid

Go to the official website: https://unraid.net/download

Download the USB Creator Tool (available for Windows, macOS, and Linux), or get the .zip version if you want to do it manually.

Step 3: Create a Bootable USB

If you’re on Ubuntu:

1. Insert an empty USB drive (at least 1GB).
2. Format it as FAT32.
3. Download and extract the Unraid .zip file.
4. Copy all extracted files to the USB drive.
5. From the terminal, make the USB drive bootable:
   

   sudo syslinux --install /dev/sdX  # replace sdX with your USB device name
   

6. Ensure the make_bootable_linux script is executable:
   

   chmod +x make_bootable_linux
   sudo ./make_bootable_linux
   

Step 4: Boot from USB on Your Server

1. Plug the USB into your server.
2. Access the BIOS/UEFI on startup (usually by pressing Del, F2, or F12).
3. Set the USB drive as the primary boot device.
4. Boot into Unraid.

Step 5: Initial Setup via Web Interface

1. Once Unraid boots, it will display a local IP address.
2. On a browser in the same network, go to: http://<IP_ADDRESS>
3. Start configuring your drives, shares, Docker containers, and more.

You’ll have a 30-day free trial. After that, a license purchase is required.