[SOLVED] How to create local Cloud Storage

[iTony888]

I need some help trying to figure out how to create my own local cloud storage.

I have been researching online for the past two days and it looks like there are multiple ways to do this but I am not sure which one I should use.

First of all, I am new to using networking.

This is what I would like to do.
I have multiple external hdds and internal hdds that are blank and would like to use them at my house to back up my own files onto by using my Win10 PC, Android phone and tablet. I would mostly access these files locally but be nice if I could do it while I am away from my house.

But I would also like to use some kind of app or software to keep everything in sync.

 

[kanewolf]

I need some help trying to figure out how to create my own local cloud storage.

I have been researching online for the past two days and it looks like there are multiple ways to do this but I am not sure which one I should use.

First of all, I am new to using networking.

This is what I would like to do.
I have multiple external hdds and internal hdds that are blank and would like to use them at my house to back up my own files onto by using my Win10 PC, Android phone and tablet. I would mostly access these files locally but be nice if I could do it while I am away from my house.

But I would also like to use some kind of app or software to keep everything in sync.

If you are comfortable with Linux then you can build your own NAS (network attached storage). If you want much faster setup and initial use, then purchase a commercial NAS unit from QNAP, Thecus, Synology or Asustor .

 

[iTony888]

If you are comfortable with Linux then you can build your own NAS (network attached storage). If you want much faster setup and initial use, then purchase a commercial NAS unit from QNAP, Thecus, Synology or Asustor .

I don't want to use Linux and would rather use the fastest and easiest setup possible.

So if I were to use Asustor or one of the others that you mentioned, would it come with a software for PC and an app for Android so that I can sync my files? Do I need to pay any money to use their service?

I was looking for a service that is free . I was looking into NextCloud but that is to complex for me to figure out.

 

[USAFRet]

"local Cloud Storage"
"the fastest and easiest setup possible "

A QNAP or Synology NAS. Fill it with the drives of your choice, and step out smartly.
After purchasing the hardware, there is zero cost. It is simply a little "PC/server box" that exists on your house LAN.

If you want something outside your house, that will probably result in monthly fees.

 

[kanewolf]

"local Cloud Storage"
"the fastest and easiest setup possible "

A QNAP or Synology NAS. Fill it with the drives of your choice, and step out smartly.
After purchasing the hardware, there is zero cost. It is simply a little "PC/server box" that exists on your house LAN.

If you want something outside your house, that will probably result in monthly fees.

Just a clarification ... Accessing your NAS from outside your house requires internet connectivity, but otherwise does not require monthly fees.

 

[USAFRet]

Just a clarification ... Accessing your NAS from outside your house requires internet connectivity, but otherwise does not require monthly fees.

Right. I meant "storage/drive space" outside the house.

 

[iTony888]

This is what I found on Amazon "Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation".
It can use 2 hdd which is what I was looking for and it says it has an app for it too.

But it says that it has "512mb DDR4" is that any good?
I would imagine that standard would have been at least a 1gb.

 

[USAFRet]

This is what I found on Amazon "Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation".
It can use 2 hdd which is what I was looking for and it says it has an app for it too.

But it says that it has "512mb DDR4" is that any good?
I would imagine that standard would have been at least a 1gb.

RAM in a NAS box like that isn't much of a consideration. They are NOT resource hungry.
Although, 512MB is a bit slim.

 

[kanewolf]

This is what I found on Amazon "Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation".
It can use 2 hdd which is what I was looking for and it says it has an app for it too.

But it says that it has "512mb DDR4" is that any good?
I would imagine that standard would have been at least a 1gb.

The DS220j is part of the lowest performance product line for Synology. It has a quad core processor similar to a cell phone (not X86). The RAM is small, but adequate to saturate a gigabit ethernet connection. Here is the full product page -- https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/DS220j
You can see all the other models also.

 

[iTony888]

The DS220j is part of the lowest performance product line for Synology. It has a quad core processor similar to a cell phone (not X86). The RAM is small, but adequate to saturate a gigabit ethernet connection. Here is the full product page -- https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/DS220j
You can see all the other models also.

So I guess the next question is the performance.
I want to stream music and videos to my devices. Sometimes with 4K videos.

 

[kanewolf]

So I guess the next question is the performance.
I want to stream music and videos to my devices. Sometimes with 4K videos.

If you want to transcode (realtime change resolution) videos, then the DS220j is probably not the right choice. The DS218play has hardware for transcoding, for example. Or the DS220+ which has an X86 CPU.

 

[iTony888]

If you want to transcode (realtime change resolution) videos, then the DS220j is probably not the right choice. The DS218play has hardware for transcoding, for example. Or the DS220+ which has an X86 CPU.

I saw the DS220+ on Amazon and it also had a picture of a RAM chip next to it. Does that mean that the ram can be upgraded on it? Like if I wanted to upgrade the ram later on down the road that I could do it?

 

[USAFRet]

I saw the DS220+ on Amazon and it also had a picture of a RAM chip next to it. Does that mean that the ram can be upgraded on it? Like if I wanted to upgrade the ram later on down the road that I could do it?

2GB on the motherboard, and 1 available RAM slot.
https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/DS220+#specs

That particular sale listing also includes a 4GB, so you'd have 6GB total.

 

[iTony888]

I have a better understanding now on which direction that I should go.

Thanks everyone for all the help.

 

[USAFRet]

I have a better understanding now on which direction that I should go.

Thanks everyone for all the help.

In comparison....

I have a QNAP TS-453a. It has 16GB (Upgraded from the original 2) I don't think I've ever seen it use more than 3GB.

As a test, I tried multiple simultaneous operations.

• Playing 2x1080p video out to a PC
• Another 1080p to a second system
• music out to a 3rd system
• Accepting a full drive backup from one system, several hundred GB
• Writing a backup of the NAS data out to a USB connected 4 bay box

Simultaneously
Nary a burp of any stream

 

[iTony888]

In comparison....

I have a QNAP TS-453a. It has 16GB (Upgraded from the original 2) I don't think I've ever seen it use more than 3GB.

As a test, I tried multiple simultaneous operations.

• Playing 2x1080p video out to a PC
• Another 1080p to a second system
• music out to a 3rd system
• Accepting a full drive backup from one system, several hundred GB
• Writing a backup of the NAS data out to a USB connected 4 bay box

Simultaneously
Nary a burp of any stream

That actually sounds really good that it can handle all of that without going over 3GB and it also gave me a better understanding on how its all running and how to shop now. Thanks