HP N36L MicroServer: My DIY NAS - Part 1

2 minute read
nas , homelab
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Introduction

The HP ProLiant MicroServer N36L is a relic of the early 2010s, but with a little ingenuity, it can still serve as a reliable NAS in 2025. In this post, I’ll walk through how I transformed my aging N36L into a modern NAS using cost-effective upgrades and open-source software. Whether you’re a homelab enthusiast or just want to repurpose old hardware, this guide will show you how to squeeze every drop of value from this compact server.

1. Updating the BIOS

The N36L’s stock BIOS is limited, especially for modern storage configurations. To unlock features like AHCI support (critical for SSD performance) and better hardware compatibility, I flashed an unofficial BIOS from the enthusiast community.

Steps I followed:

  • Downloaded the modified BIOS from Nathaniel Perez.
  • Use a empty USB drive to flash the BIOS using the included utility.
  • Read the instructions! (you need to replace the ROM file manually after using the utility).
  • Boot the server from the USB drive and flash the BIOS.
  • Afther updating the modified BIOS: enable AHCI mode to improve SATA performance and allow hot-swapping drives.

2. Upgrading RAM

The N36L’s default 2GB RAM is insufficient for multitasking or running modern NAS software. I upgraded to 8GB DDR3 RAM that I had lying arround.

3. Booting from an Internal USB SSD

The N36L has a hidden gem: an internal USB port perfect for a low-profile boot drive. I opted for the HP x911w 128GB USB 3.0 SSD, which fits snugly inside the chassis.

Advantages:

  • Durability: SSDs outlast traditional USB sticks, which often fail under constant read/write cycles.
  • Neat Installation: No dangling cables—the drive sits flush in the internal port.
  • Speed: While the N36L’s USB 2.0 port limits throughput (~40MB/s), the SSD’s reliability justifies the trade-off.

4. Installing OpenMediaVault

OpenMediaVault (OMV) is a lightweight, Debian-based NAS OS ideal for older hardware. Here’s how I set it up:

Installation Steps:

  1. Downloaded the OMV 6.x ISO and flashed it to a USB drive using belenaEtcher.
  2. Boot from the installer USB drive and install OMV to the internal USB SSD.

Why OMV?

  • User-Friendly: WebUI simplifies storage, user, and service management.
  • Extensible: Plugins add functionality (e.g., SnapRAID, Plex, Tailscale).
  • Low Overhead: Runs smoothly on the N36L’s AMD Turion II Neo CPU.

5. Installing OMV-Extras and openmediavault-flashmemory

Traditional USB sticks fail in a matter of time under constant read/write cycles. The openmediavault-flashmemory plugin tries to overcome that. Even for SSDs this plugin can extend the lifespan.

Installation Steps:

  1. Use Putty to connect to the NAS over SSH.
  2. Install OMV-Extras: wget -O - https://github.com/OpenMediaVault-Plugin-Developers/packages/raw/master/install | bash
  3. Install the plugin openmediavault-flashmemory via the WebUI

Conclusion

Without breaking the bank I revived a decade-old server, that was already collecting dust, into a functional NAS.

What’s next? Configuring OMV and exploring the limitations of the hardware and software.