10-Step NAS Setup Guide Using the TerraMaster F4

Learn how to configure the TerraMaster F4 SSD NAS using a simple 10-step guide tailored for beginners. From installing SSDs to running benchmarks, this walkthrough helps you avoid costly mistakes and maximize performance.

Watch on YouTube

Beginner-Friendly NAS Setup Instructions

Step 1: Choose the TerraMaster F4, a 4-bay M.2 NVMe SSD NAS with fast read/write speeds and active cooling.
Step 2: Install high-quality SSDs—two SN700 500GB drives used in this demo in mirror configuration for redundancy.
Step 3: Open the case, insert the drives, and secure them with screws.
Step 4: Connect the NAS to your network using the Ethernet cable, then power it on.
Step 5: Access the NAS via tnas.local or the IP address using your browser.
Step 6: Follow on-screen prompts to initialize drives and configure storage pools. Software is user-friendly, even for beginners.
Step 7: Create shared folders (e.g., Documents and Media) and assign size limits if needed.
Step 8: Add user accounts with custom permissions for family members or coworkers.
Step 9: Upload files using the mobile app or your desktop through network discovery and folder drag-and-drop.
Step 10: Benchmark your drives and check heat performance using built-in tools and a thermal camera. The F4 performs well on both fronts.

This setup not only protects valuable data but also allows multiple users to access and back up devices via mobile or desktop. If you’re setting up a home NAS for the first time, this guide will get you there with confidence.

Watch on YouTube

Product Links

TERRAMASTER F4 SSD NAS, 4 Bay All M.2 NVMe SSD NAS

Western Digital 500GB WD Red SN700 NVMe

SAMSUNG 980 SSD 500GB PCIe 3.0x4, NVMe M.2

Crucial P3 Plus 500GB PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD

Today, you'll learn a quick and simple 10-step process to set up your NAS device like a pro—even if you're a complete beginner.

Step 1: You’ll need a NAS. We're using the TerraMaster F4 SSD NAS, which features a 4-bay M.2 NVMe SSD configuration. It offers much faster read/write speeds than traditional spinning hard drives and is less prone to failure.

It includes a quad-core N95 processor, 8GB of DDR5 RAM (upgradeable to 32GB), USB-C, dual USB 3.0 ports, a 5Gb Ethernet port, HDMI, and dual cooling fans.

Step 2: Install two quality SSDs—in this case, two 500GB SN700 drives—ideal for a mirror (RAID 1) configuration. Always purchase NAS-approved drives for reliability.

Step 3: Insert the drives by opening the case, removing the M.2 screws, installing the SSDs, then securing them again.

Step 4: Connect the NAS to your router or network switch using the provided Ethernet cable. Power it on and wait about a minute for it to acquire an IP address.

Step 5: On your desktop or laptop, open a browser and go to tnas.local (or your brand’s URL) to access the NAS dashboard.

Step 6: Follow the setup wizard to initialize the disks and create a storage pool. TerraMaster's software is easy to use. While some users report issues online, this system ran smoothly across desktop, laptop, and phone access during our test.

Step 7: Create shared folders like Documents and Media, assigning size limits (e.g., 10GB and 300GB) as needed.

Step 8: Add users with personalized permissions. For instance, one user can only view files, while another can read/write.

Step 9: Upload media through the mobile app or by dragging and dropping files from your desktop via network discovery.

Step 10: Benchmark the SSDs to check performance. Test results showed impressive throughput and latency. Also, thermal testing revealed that active cooling kept temps between 88°F–90°F.

If you're looking for a high-performance NAS with low heat and reliability, the TerraMaster F4 is a solid choice.

And if you’d like to learn how to install TrueNAS Scale on an old PC, we’ve got a guide for that too.