RetroNAS is a suite of tools designed to turn a low cost Raspberry Pi, old computer or Virtual Machine into a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device for retro PCs, microcomputers and consoles. RetroNAS aims to provide a user-friendly way to install a wide range of tools that support Network Attached Storage ("NAS") for older / retro systems.

You can use it as a central file store or backup server for your old and new computers and consoles, a NAS with far more space than your old systems can natively attach (far exceeding the 2TB limit of solutions like FAT32 formatted direct-attached drives), or as a file drop between various computers that may not be compatible with each other's various network file sharing tools. It also offers tools like proxies to help very old web browsers read and download information from the modern Internet.

It uses a number of open source tools to configure services and network protocols not found on modern NAS devices that are compatible with a large variety of retro systems.

In general, most of these services require a client with some sort of TCP/IP stack. There are exceptions however. e.g.: EtherDFS, as a dedicated Layer 2 protocol for MS-DOS machines with a packet driver and matching client software, or AppleTalk, Apple's pre-TCP protocol for AppleShare and AFP (Apple Filer Protocol) file sharing (although RetroNAS also supports AFP over TCP for newer Macs).

You will generally need to have some sort of home TCP/IP based network with the correct hubs/switches, cables and NICs (Network Interface Cards) for this to work.

For a complete guide and list of supported systems and protocols, see the Wiki section.

RetroNAS authors are entirely grateful to the wider open source computer and console development, preservation and hacking communities, all of whom constantly give away their hard work for free so that we can keep our old hardware alive, and preserve their contents.

RetroNAS is intended as a generalised hub for retro activities supporting as many legacy/retro systems as possible. With the intent to "support the unsupported" inclusion of certain systems and related tools is at the discretion of the project. As a general rule, tooling for systems that are still actively available for retail sale should/will not be added until a reasonable period has passed since retail sale has ended.

If a system has some sort of network capabilities and an open source service exists to serve that capability, RetroNAS can attempt to integrate it

Some of the projects/protocols include are:

• Samba 4.X - LANMan (NTLMv1, NTLMv2), NetBIOS, CIFS, SMB
• Netatalk 4.X - AFP / Apple Filing Protocol over AppleTalk and TCP/IP
• EtherDFS - layer 2 file sharing for MS-DOS
• FTP - Common file transfer protocol
• TFTP - Lightweight trivial file transfer protocol
• lighttpd HTTP - Web server for all HTTP clients and web browsers
• ps3netsrv - File streaming for PlayStation 3 + CFW/HEN + MultiMan or webMAN MOD

Some of the supported systems include:

• MS-DOS and clones such as PC-DOS and FreeDOS
• Microsoft Windows 95 and up
• Apple GS/OS, Classic Mac System 6 and System 7
• Apple Mac OS8, OS9, OS X 10.0 and up
• Atari ST with FTP client or HTTP browser
• Amiga Workbench 3.X and up with FTP client or HTTP browser
• Nintendo 3DS with Homebrew Channel and FBI installer
• Nintendo GameCube with BroadBand Adaptor and Swiss homebrew
• Sony PlayStation 2 with OpenPS2Loader
• Sony PlayStation 3 with CFW/HEN and webMAN-MOD
• Microsoft XBox 360 with JTAG/RGH, custom dash and ConnectX plugin
• MiSTer FPGA
• Many more planned

Some of the extra services include:

• WebOne HTTP proxy for legacy web browsers without SSL/TLS or Web2.0 support to browse the modern Internet
• Syncthing secure personal file sharing with no cloud services needed
• gogrepo - back up your entire GOG library for DRM-free offline installs
• Many more planned