How I Built My Own Cloud {and You Can Too}

December 05, 2024

I always knew I’d end up self-hosting. It just seemed like the next step, even if it sounded a bit nerdy at first.

Something reserved for folks with server racks in their basement and tattoos on their arms (I have both). But here I was, staring at my overflowing iCloud account and thinking, “There has to be a better way."

For years, I kept my files scattered across cloud providers and even an old external hard drive I barely trusted. One day, I decided enough was enough—I needed a centralized, private space to store my data.

That’s when I stumbled upon Nextcloud, and my journey into self-hosting began.

Today, I’ll show you how I set it up on Unraid—and how you can too, even if the word “Docker” makes you a little nervous.

If you’re new to Nextcloud, think of it as your personal Google Drive.

Except you own it. You control it. And it doesn’t send you monthly reminders to upgrade your storage.

With Nextcloud, you can host your own files, calendars, and even photos, all while keeping them safe on your own server.

No third parties. No ads. Just a little slice of cloud storage heaven that’s entirely yours.

Now, why Unraid? Well, I already had a Plex server running on it, and its Docker support makes hosting apps ridiculously easy.

Plus, Unraid’s interface is perfect for someone like me—someone who knows enough to be dangerous but appreciates a big friendly “Install” button.

Step 1: Set Up the Database (Don’t Panic!)

Here’s the deal—Nextcloud needs a database to store all your data. Sounds intimidating, right? Chill bruh, Unraid makes it pretty straightforward.

Go back to the Apps tab and search for “MariaDB” (a popular database for Nextcloud).

Install it, name your my_sql database and make sure to note the root password during setup. (You’ll need it later!) Make sure your root password is different than your my_sql password. Once applied, head to the Docker tab and click on MariaDB’s icon to access the logs. Wait for the message that says the database is ready.

Step 2: Create a share for Nextcloud

First things first, we need to get the Nextcloud container running.

Open the Unraid dashboard and head to the Apps tab. Search for Nextcloud and select the official or community-supported container (I went with the LinuxServer.io version). Click Install and follow the prompts.

Change the WebUI to a different port instead of 443, since Unraid uses ports 80 and 443 for its own WebUI. This way, you avoid any conflicts. Under ‘Path: /data’, enter the data path for the share you created earlier. Click Apply. Nextcloud is now running… sort of.

Step 3: Connect Nextcloud to MariaDB

With the database ready, it’s time to link everything up:

Open your browser and navigate to your Nextcloud instance. The address will look something like http://your-unraid-ip:nextcloud-port. Fill out the setup screen:

Database user: root Password: (the one you definitely didn’t forget earlier)

Database name: nextcloud

Host: mariadb

Click Finish Setup and let Nextcloud do its thing.

Congrats! Your Nextcloud instance is up and running.

Install apps to sync files, calendars, and photos. Set up external storage like Google Drive (ironic, I know). Add SSL for secure remote access using a tool like Nginx Proxy Manager.

The possibilities are endless.

By the time I finished setting up Nextcloud, I had two thoughts:

Why didn’t I do this sooner? I might actually enjoy having full control over my files.

Self-hosting isn’t just about saving money (though that’s a nice perk).

It’s about taking control of your digital life. It’s about learning something new. And yes, it’s about impressing your friends when you casually drop phrases like “containerized app deployment” into conversation.

What’s Next?

Have you tried setting up Nextcloud on Unraid?

Did you run into any hiccups? Share your tips (or horror stories) in the comments—I’d love to hear them!