Need Your own Private Cloud? Try Raspberry Pi with NextCloud

We frequently worry about posting our crucial files as the digital world encircles us with all of its hands. We search for the best and safest cloud servers to protect them from scammers or even cunning people. Still, there are shortcomings, and they are mostly unavoidable. 

 

How would you like to create your own private cloud?

However, what are the steps involved, and what are the requirements?

 

It's vital to keep in mind that while your data will be stored on your local network, uploading and downloading files from the internet will result in you using more bandwidth.

 

Can you really Create Private “Cloud Storage” With a Raspberry Pi?

Over an internet connection, you want to move data from your PC to personal storage and vice versa. This indicates that you can access your "cloud storage" from any location and back up your PC anytime.

 

A platform like NextCloud or ownCloud is only necessary if you want non-technical users 

to access your cloud storage. There is no need for a server if your private cloud server is simply used for personal purposes.

 

How does it work?

You're going to employ an external hard drive as a storage medium. It will constantly be linked to your Pi, which can access the internet wirelessly or by wire.

 

Use the “sync” command on your computer to transfer files to and from the HDD. These commands can be securely run from the internet or your local network using SSH.

 

So, let’s begin…

 

Building your private cloud using Nextcloud and Raspberry Pi

Thanks to a client-server application called NextCloud, you can create and use file hosting services. It is prepared for the company and comes with various support features. 

Anyone can install and use it on their own private server devices because it is free and open-source software. When used in conjunction with Collabora Online or OnlyOffice, Nextcloud offers functionality comparable to Dropbox, Office 365, or Google Drive. 

 

It may be hosted locally or in the cloud. It can go from inexpensive home office solutions based on Raspberry Pi to expansive data center solutions serving millions of users.

 

Steps to build your private cloud

Equipment you need

1. Raspberry Pi 2/3/4
2. SD Card / Micro SD (If you are using Pi 2 or B+)
3. Ethernet Cable or WiFi Dongle (Not required for Pi 3 or 4)
4. External HardDrive, SSD, or USB Drive with your desired server storage capacity.

 

Step 1: Install Raspbian

Installing a new version of Raspbian on the Raspberry Pi is the first step. You may download it from https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/.

 

Get the Raspbian Buster Lite image if you want something simple. This version of raspbian lacks a graphical user interface, but that's okay because ssh serves all of our needs.

 

Step 2: Installing NextCloudPi OS on Raspberry Pi Zero

We will set up NextCloudPi OS, a customized edition of Nextcloud that works with a Raspberry Pi 3 or 4 computer on the microSD card. Download the most recent NextCloudPi OS image file from a reputable website. 

 

Download the bz2 file, then open the RPi folder (not RPi BerryBoot). You can extract the file using the archive program on your computer, which will leave you with a folder containing an IMG file (e.g., WinRAR or 7-Zip for Windows). 

 

The Raspberry Pi Imager application can be used to flash an OS image file on a microSD card that has been inserted by following the instructions listed below.

 

• To explore the NextCloudPi image file, click Choose OS and choose the Use Custom option (at the bottom).
• Select your MicroSD card by selecting the Storage option.
• Select the Write option, then wait a moment.

 

Step 3: Boot Up Nextcloud on Raspberry Pi

Switch on your Raspberry Pi and insert the microSD card. You'll be asked to log in after a brief display of the bootup routine (a lot of scrolling text). 

 

Pi and raspberry are the standard username and passwords, respectively. You should then update your Raspberry Pi password for security reasons.

 

Step 4: Connect to the WiFi

In the 2 Network Options section, select N2 Wireless LAN by entering sudo raspi-config. Give your router's SSID (name) and password after choosing your country. Then, return to the command line.

 

Use the terminal window's command “IP addr” to determine your IP address. Note down the IP address, or internet address, of your Raspberry Pi.

 

If you don't want to complete the setup with your Raspberry Pi attached to a monitor, you may also activate SSH for remote access from another computer.

 

Step 5: Enabling Next Cloud Web Interface on PC

In the terminal window, type sudo cp-config, choose CONFIG to configure the NCP-app, then choose the NC-WebUI option at the bottom. To exit the configuration tool, delete no and write yes, then press Enter and any other key. Back-click to complete.

 

Step 6: Activate and Configure Nextcloud

Go to another computer's web browser and type HTTPS://[your Pi's IP address]:4443.

If a warning indicates your connection isn't private or secure, pick Advanced in Chrome or Firefox to dismiss it and continue to the website.

 

Step 7: Access the Nextcloud Web Interface

In the web browser, type the address HTTP:// IPaddressofRPI (for instance, HTTP:// 192.168.218). Use ncp as your username and the second password you previously noted down from the nextcloudPi activation box as your password to log in. After entering your username and password, the web browser will display the window below.

 

Step 8: Add USB External Storage

Since your microSD card will only hold so much data, upgrading your Nextcloud Raspberry Pi server with USB storage is best. Your storage device should be attached or connected to a USB port on the Raspberry Pi.

 

You must create a directory for it in the Raspberry Pi's command line before moving on (or via SSH). Input the command as follows:

 

sudo mkdir /media/USB drive

 

Open the web browser on your other computer and navigate to the NextCloudPi web panel. Select USB Configuration in the wizard that displays (you can access it using the wand icon in the top toolbar). In the first question, select Yes to move on.

 

Step 9: Add External Access Over the Internet

You may currently only access your Nextcloud server over your home network, which is somewhat restrictive. Port forwarding and a dynamic DNS solution are required to access your Nextcloud server over the internet from any place.

 

Note: add the case to your cloud as bare Raspberry Pi will catch a lot of dust over time and will be hard to maintain. 

 

FAQs

• Can you use a Raspberry Pi for cloud storage?

With DietPi and ownCloud, it's simple for any Raspberry Pi user to have their data at their fingertips wherever they are. ownCloud is one of the best applications for building a cloud storage system on your Raspberry Pi.

 

• Which is better, ownCloud or Nextcloud?

OwnCloud focuses on providing an enterprise-grade file collaboration platform that supports well-defined open standards to interface with best-in-class apps, in contrast to Nextcloud, which primarily focuses on rapidly introducing new capabilities.

 

• How secure is Nextcloud?

Nextcloud uses industry-standard SSL/TLS encryption for data transit. Additionally, default military-grade AES-256 encryption with server-based or personalized key management can encrypt data at rest in storage.

Bottom line 

The NextCloud server is now prepared for outside excess. By using the subdomain you configured in a web browser to access it, you may manage your NextCloud server on your Raspberry Pi. You can still utilize it if you need to be connected to your local network. 

 

You've now built a proper cloud server on your Raspberry Pi using NextCloudPi. To view its dashboard, utilize a web browser on a different device. The Next cloud app is even available for iOS and Android devices.

 

As a result, this is how to install the NextCloud server on a Raspberry Pi. We hope you had fun with the assignment and learned something.

 

So, to begin the practical implementation, get your hands on the latest Raspberry Pi from Vilros. We have all the variety you need and in case you need something custom, you can request it, and we can check if it is possible to arrange it for you. All in all, Vilros has got you covered if you are willing to experiment with Raspberry pi.