How to Print a List of Files in the Unassigned Folder on Unraid: A Complete Guide

Introduction 

Unraid uses a unique approach to storage management. Instead of relying on a traditional RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) setup, Unraid allows you to mix and match hard drives of different sizes and types. The data is protected through a parity disk, which ensures that your data is safe even if one of the disks fails.

The “print list of files in unassigned folder unraid” folder on Unraid refers to any storage device that is connected to the server but isn’t part of the main array or cache. These devices can be USB drives, additional hard drives, or any other external storage device connected to your Unraid server. While these devices aren’t part of the primary storage pool, they can still be accessed via the Unraid interface and used for data storage or other purposes.

Why Print a List of Files in the Unassigned Folder?

There are a few reasons why you might want to print a list of files in the Unassigned folder on Unraid:

1. Organizing Files: If you are migrating data between drives or keeping track of your file organization, knowing the exact contents of the Unassigned folder can help you stay organized.
2. Backup Purposes: A list of the files in this folder can be helpful when planning backups or ensuring that all important files are accounted for.
3. Audit and Inventory: If you are managing a server for multiple users, it might be necessary to keep an inventory of all files stored in unassigned folders for auditing purposes.

Prerequisites for Printing a List of Files

Before you can print a list of files in the Unassigned folder, you need to ensure a few things are in place:

1. Access to Unraid Server: You will need administrative access to your Unraid server.
2. Unassigned Devices Plugin: The Unassigned Devices plugin allows you to manage and interact with disks that are not part of your primary array.
3. Command Line Access: To generate a list of files, you may need to use SSH or terminal access to the Unraid server, as this will allow you to run the necessary commands.
4. File List Viewer: It’s recommended to have a program that can view large files, as the list of files in a folder might be extensive.

How to List Files in the Unassigned Folder Using SSH

The simplest way to generate a list of files in a specific folder in Unraid, including the Unassigned folder, is to use the terminal or SSH (Secure Shell) access. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Enable SSH Access

1. Access your Unraid server: Open the Unraid web interface from a browser by entering the IP address of your server.
2. Navigate to Settings: On the Unraid dashboard, go to “Settings.”
3. Enable SSH: Under the “Management Access” section, ensure that SSH access is enabled. This will allow you to remotely access the server’s terminal.

Step 2: Access the Server via SSH

1. Open a terminal on your local machine (you can use tools like Terminal on macOS, PowerShell on Windows, or a terminal emulator on Linux).

Connect to your Unraid server using the SSH command. The basic command is:
bash
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ssh root@<your-unraid-server-ip>

2. Replace <your-unraid-server-ip> with the actual IP address of your Unraid server. You will be prompted for the root password.

Step 3: Navigate to the Unassigned Folder

Once you’re connected to the server via SSH, you can navigate to the directory that contains the Unassigned folder. By default, this may be under /mnt/disks/ or a similar path, depending on how your storage is configured.

Use the following command to navigate to the folder:

bash

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cd /mnt/disks

This will bring you to the location where Unassigned devices are mounted.

Step 4: Generate the File List

To print the list of files in the folder, you can use the ls command in combination with other options to format the output. For example, to list all files and directories recursively within the Unassigned folder, use:

bash

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ls -R /mnt/disks/<unassigned-folder-name> > filelist.txt

Replace <unassigned-folder-name> with the actual name of the folder or device in question.

The -R option ensures that all files and subdirectories are listed recursively. The > operator redirects the output to a file named filelist.txt, which can then be viewed, printed, or downloaded.

Step 5: View or Download the List

You can now download the file list from your server using a tool like SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) or view it directly from the terminalReplace <path-to-local-directory> with the destination directory on your local machine where you want to save the file.

Using Unraid’s Web Interface to List Files

If you’re not comfortable with using SSH, Unraid provides a graphical interface that allows you to manage disks, including those in the Unassigned folder.

1. Install the Unassigned Devices Plugin: If you haven’t already, go to the Unraid plugin store and install the Unassigned Devices plugin.
2. Navigate to Unassigned Devices: Once installed, you can navigate to “Unassigned Devices” from the Unraid web interface. This will show a list of all unassigned devices connected to your server.
3. Browse the Files: Click on the drive or folder you want to explore. You can browse the contents directly from the Unraid web interface, but the list of files won’t be directly printable in the same way you can with SSH.

Automating the Process with a Script

For advanced users, you can automate the process of printing a list of files using a custom script. By scheduling a script to run at regular intervals, you can automatically generate and store file lists from the Unassigned folder

Save the script and schedule it using Unraid’s “User Scripts” plugin. This way, the list of files will be automatically generated and saved periodically without any manual input.

Printing the File List

Once you have the file list (whether from SSH or the Unraid interface), you can print it out in several ways:

1. Open the Text File Locally: Open the filelist.txt in any text editor on your local machine, then print it from there.

Use Command Line: If you’re connected to the Unraid server via SSH, you can use the cat or less command to view the file and send it to a printer. For example:
bash

2. This command will send the contents of the file to the default printer.

Conclusion

Printing a list of files in the Unassigned folder on Unraid is a useful task for managing your data, performing backups, or auditing files. Whether you prefer to use SSH, the Unraid web interface, or automated scripts, the process is fairly straightforward. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily generate and print the file list for your Unraid server’s Unassigned folder, ensuring that you have a comprehensive overview of your data.