sloth-storage

More photos and the article about this project are here.

Idea

The idea is to build drive distributed storage device with FTP interface on Node.js.

Features

• distributes files on a bunch of USB-drives
• keeps up file duplication for redundancy
• provides FTP interface.

Configuration example

4Gb USB-drive -|     *-----------------------*
4Gb USB-drive -|     |  S  T  O  R  A  G  E  |
4Gb USB-drive -|<--->|    6.6Gb capacity     |<---> FTP client
4Gb USB-drive -|     | 3 copies of each file |
4Gb USB-drive -|     *-----------------------*

... or 10Gb storage (2 copies of each file).

Hardware

Tested with Raspberry Pi 3.

Almost complete list of used components:

• 1 x RPi 3 (ID:3055) = $35.00
• 1 x Pimoroni Micro Dot pHAT with Included LED Modules - Red (ID:3248) = $29.95
• 4 x USB 3.0 4-Port USB Hub (eBay) = $16.40
• 1 x 8GB Class 10 MicroSD Memory Card (ID:2692) = $9.95
• 2 x DC 0-3V Analog Voltmeter (eBay) = $8.56
• 1 x Mini Panel Mount SPDT Toggle Switch (ID:3221) = $0.95
• 1 x Slim Metal Potentiometer Knob - 10mm Diameter x 10mm - T18 (ID:2058) = $1.90
• 1 x Solid Machined Metal Knob - 1" Diameter (ID:2056) = $3.95
• 2 x Mini 8-Way Rotary Selector Switch - SP8T (ID:2925) = $3.90
• 2 x LED diode - red and yellow

Box and indicators blueprints.

RPi PIN connections:

• pHAT
• for selectors, gauges, leds and toggle switch look for const PIN = ... for each component's class: src/hardware.

I used 3A power supply which enough just for 4 USB-drives.

Setup

Disclaimer: this is a proof of concept device and cannot be used as reliable place to store your data.

1. Install Raspbian SSH and WiFi configuration instruction
2. SSH to RPi (how to find RPi in the network)
3. Install dependencies:

   sudo su
   
   # install deps
   apt-get install -y gcc g++ make git vim htop;
   
   # set timezone
   echo "America/Los_Angeles" > /etc/timezone
   dpkg-reconfigure tzdata
   
   # install nodejs
   curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_8.x | sudo -E bash -
   apt install -y nodejs
   
   # install application
   git clone https://github.com/antonfisher/sloth-storage.git
   cd sloth-storage
   npm install
   cd src/hardware
   npm install
   cd -
   
   # display
   curl -sS https://get.pimoroni.com/microdotphat | bash # https://pinout.xyz/pinout/micro_dot_phat

4. GPIO configuration:
```bash
sudo cat >/etc/udev/rules.d/20-gpiomem.rules <<EOF
SUBSYSTEM=="bcm2835-gpiomem", KERNEL=="gpiomem", GROUP="gpio", MODE="0660"
EOF
sudo usermod -a -G gpio pi
sudo usermod -a -G gpio root

Usage

Note: RPi doesn't mount USB storage devices automatically.

Start application:

# mount usb storage devices
npm run mount # show available devices
npm run mount:do # mount available devices

# start application on RPi
npm run rpi

Connect to FTP server:

IP:7002
# "Anonymous" user

Useful commands:

# unmount all mounted usb storage devices
npm run umount:do

# show full help
npm start -- --help

# run only application
npm start

# set different device path (not /media/<USER>)
npm start -- --devices-path <path>

License

MIT License. Free use and change.