A TrueNAS dataset is a file system within a data storage pool. Datasets can contain files, directories, and child datasets, and have individual permissions or flags.

Datasets can also be encrypted. In TrueNAS 22.12.3 or later, the TrueNAS UI requires encryption for child datasets created in encrypted parent datasets, but you can change the encryption type from key to passphrase. You can create an encrypted dataset if the parent is not encrypted and set the type as either key or passphrase.

To access SMB share management options, go to Shares screen with the Windows (SMB) Shares widget. The widget lists SMB shares configured on but is not the full list. Each share listed includes four icons that open other screens or dialogs that provide access to share settings. To see a full list of shares, click on Windows (SMB) Shares launch to open the Sharing > SMB screen. Each share row on this screen provides access to the other screens or dialogs with share settings.

If you have not added SMB shares to the system, the SMB widget shows No records have been added yet.

The Datasets screen and widgets show information about datasets, provide access to data management functions, indicate the dataset roles, list the services using the dataset, show the encryption status, and list the permissions the dataset has in place. The screen focuses on managing data storage including user and group quotas, snapshots, and other data protection measures.

The Datasets screen shows No Datasets with a Create Pool button in the center of the screen until you add a pool and the first root dataset.

TrueNAS offers two Access Control List (ACL) types: POSIX (the TrueNAS default) and NFSv4. For a more in-depth explanation of ACLs and configurations in TrueNAS, see our ACL Primer.

The Dataset Preset option on the Add Dataset screen sets the ACL type applied for SMB shares, apps, multi-protocol shares, and general-use datasets.

The ACL Type setting in the Advanced Options on both the Add Dataset and Edit Dataset screens, determines the ACL presets available on the ACL Select a preset ACL window. It also determines which permissions editor screens you see after you click the edit edit icon on the Dataset Permissions widget.

TrueNAS provides basic permissions settings and an access control list (ACL) editor to define dataset permissions. ACL permissions control the actions users can perform on dataset contents and shares.

An Access Control List (ACL) is a set of account permissions associated with a dataset that applies to directories or files within that dataset. TrueNAS uses ACLs to manage user interactions with shared datasets and creates them when users add a dataset to a pool.

TrueNAS offers two ACL types: POSIX and NFSv4. For a more in-depth explanation of ACLs and configurations in TrueNAS, see our ACL Primer.