SABnzbd on IX4-300d

SABnzbd is designed to make using Usenet as simple and efficient as possible by automating nearly every step of the process. Once you provide it with a .nzb file, SABnzbd handles the rest seamlessly—no further user action is required. The program takes care of downloading the content, verifying its integrity, repairing any errors, extracting the files, and neatly organizing everything for you. This level of automation removes the usual complexity associated with Usenet, making it a user-friendly solution for both beginners and seasoned users alike.

If you’re looking to harness the power of SABnzbd on your own server, you’re in the right place. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the full process of installing SABnzbd on your NAS. Whether you’re running a home media setup or simply want an efficient way to manage your downloads, this setup will help you get started with minimal effort while maximizing performance and convenience.

Requirements

Note: This guide is outdated. For a more up-to-date solution, please refer to my [NZBGet installation guide].

Before starting, ensure you meet the following prerequisites:

• SSH Access to your NAS:
  You must be able to connect to your NAS via SSH. If you’re unsure how to do this, refer to my dedicated SSH guide.

• Startup Script Ready:
  You’ll need a custom startup script (init-opt.sh) to run SABnzbd automatically when your NAS boots. You can find a complete setup guide for that in my startup script tutorial.

• Downloads Share Available:
  The default setup in this guide assumes you have a share named Downloads. If you use a different share, make sure to replace all paths accordingly throughout the guide.

 

 Installing SABnzbd

Update the Package Manager
First, log in to your NAS using SSH and run the following command to make sure your package list is up-to-date:

Install Required Dependencies
Now install all required tools and libraries needed for SABnzbd:

This process may take a few minutes. Wait until all installations are completed successfully and check for errors before proceeding.

Prepare Directory Structure
Create the necessary folders to install and run SABnzbd, as well as to store incomplete and completed downloads:

Download SABnzbd Source Code
Clone the latest SABnzbd source from GitHub:

Start SABnzbd for the First Time
Launch the server in the background as a daemon:

Access SABnzbd Web Interface
Open your browser and navigate to:

 

Configuring SABnzbd

Once the web interface is accessible, it’s time to complete the initial configuration:

Set Access Preferences
During the first launch wizard:

• • Select the first access option.

  • (Optional) Set a username and password.

  • (Optional) Enable HTTPS if desired.

  • Leave any miscellaneous options unchecked.

• Configure Folders

  Go to Config → Folders and set the appropriate paths:

  • • Temporary Download Folder:
      /mnt/pools/A/A0/Downloads/SABnzbd/incomplete

    • Completed Download Folder:
      /mnt/pools/A/A0/Downloads/SABnzbd/completed

Set Download Schedule (Optional)
Navigate to the Scheduling tab if you want SABnzbd to run only at specific times (e.g., night-time downloads).

Enable Autostart on Boot
Add the following lines to your init-opt.sh startup script:

After restarting your NAS, SABnzbd should automatically launch within a few minutes.

 

Extra – Automatically Add .NZB Files

To enable automatic importing of NZB files:

1. Create a new folder inside your SABnzbd directory:

   mkdir /mnt/pools/A/A0/Downloads/SABnzbd/nzbs


2. Open SABnzbd, go to Config → Folders, and set:

   • Watched Folder:
     /mnt/pools/A/A0/Downloads/SABnzbd/nzbs

   • Scan Interval:
     Set it to your preference (e.g., every 1–5 minutes)

Now, any .nzb file placed into the nzbs folder will automatically be added to SABnzbd and removed after processing.