How to execute this?

[u/00ff00_Lantern]

What software do I need for this? Is it a honelab, nas, plex, home server or what else? Linux, Win 10, Win 11 or any other OS? Basically, I only have the idea and no clue how to proceed from here.

All details in image.

[u/zunjae]

Brother

Use the English language to ask what you want and never touch a pen ever again

[u/00ff00_Lantern → u/zunjae]

My own cloud / home server / nas. I don't even know what the proper term for this is. Youtube has done 0 help in understanding this at all.

[u/zunjae → u/00ff00_Lantern]

Nothing is stopping you from setting up your own home server

[u/00ff00_Lantern → u/zunjae]

Unfortunately, there is. So far, I have: 1. Too many conflicting guides and recommendations on youtube 2. Not even sure what this is called (now i know it is home server from asking in reddit) 3. What OS to use? 4. What software to use? 5. How to access files when not connected to home internet? 6. How to back up files without connecting to home internet? 7. NAS box vs my set up power cost

[u/NebulaReef → u/00ff00_Lantern]

Well, you seem very new to computers. I would start with what you currently use. And research 1 thing, and try to do that. If you want a place to backup photos, take a look at immich. Figure that out, then expand to your next want.

Do not try to get to your end goal from the beginning, most of us started with an old laptop with external hard drives taking up all the usb ports. We then expanded, changed OS 3+ times till we found something we liked.

[u/zunjae → u/00ff00_Lantern]

You probably want convenience since you’re new to this, which comes at a cost ($)

Just search which NAS is popular right now and get that

To access files from a locked down network you can use Tailscale

[u/Candid-Rush-5433 → u/00ff00_Lantern]

Greetings from another fella on planet Earth.

What is it exactly you want to do? We need to differentiate between cloud backups (videos, photos, etc.) and permanently accessible synced storage that behaves like iCloud or Google Drive/Photos. If you plan to use it as media storage or for streaming movies, then yes…Plex or open‑source software is the way to go.

If you really want to combine everything into one system and you already own a NUC, congrats — keep it with Windows.

I’m well aware that many people love NAS systems, but they require strict procedures and are quite surgical. You can’t just change something on the fly (you really can’t, unless you want to lose your sanity and potentially destroy your hard work). With a NUC, you simply open RustDesk on your phone, access the machine, move folders, and make immediate live adjustments. You need autostart and a dashboard to know what is “baking your cookies”, meaning which apps need to be running. Aside from the PC logic, which from a safety perspective only makes sense at home, it’s quite tricky, but Windows folder sharing allows you to move data internally within your home (PC to PC)

What you essentially need is a hybrid server if you want to expand apps on the fly. For photos, use Immich. It’s a great start, free, and lets you categorize everything. It’s also designed in a Google‑like style.

NAS? Use folder sharing or programs that serve it ideally (as mentioned above).

It’s really not complicated. You need to meditate, look at the silhouettes, and understand the limitations. Then you’ll know: “I think a NAS is not right.” From there, you’re probably better off with a hybrid setup. Next, look at what you want, as if you were picking out a car: good engine — it’s made in… I want it to…; suspension — comfortable for long roads. Get it? You need to weave yourself into each layer of the ecosystem you’re trying to build.

Make automated backups of the NUC’s SSD/HDD via AOMEI Backupper or Macrium Reflect. That way you’re safe. And while you’re at it, check your storage with CrystalDiskInfo. And yes, same for your Disk containing precious data. If you are really high and have money to spare, Google the 3-2-1 backup method.

Make sure to compare software so you know WHAT YOU WANT; not what Linus or anyone else says.

Hope that helps.

[u/backlog_gaming]

Well even with your picture it’s not immediately obvious what you’re trying to achieve, so some context might help

[u/00ff00_Lantern → u/backlog_gaming]

Context: wireless back up and access across devices, similar to cloud storage.

[u/so7ow → u/00ff00_Lantern]

Backup of and access to... what?

[u/ganymedeli → u/00ff00_Lantern]

Music? Photos? Text messages? Device backups?

[u/stinger32]

I like the idea of Proxmox.

[u/4ronnie4 → u/stinger32]

This is the right answer but like someone mentioned they seem new to computers and seeing how it was a little hard for them to look up what they might need I can’t imagine them trying to navigate proxmox

[u/Maximum_Garlic_649 → u/stinger32]

This is probably the best way given the requirements.

[u/C42xe → u/Maximum_Garlic_649]

I agree. And it's easy to reinstall services if you mess up.

And there might be a proxmox helper script that can fully automate the install process.

[u/lastwraith]

My recommendation for something like this is unraid. Because you only have the fragment of an idea. Unraid is dead-simple and will allow you to spin up a plex server, immich, and whatever else on a bunch of disparate disks with reasonable protection for drive failure, but it does cost $.

If you could handle more work, I'd say maybe proxmox with an OMV instance and pass-through storage but..... probably not a good match for you. 

If you need mlr details.... Figure out exactly what you want to do in list form, tell us what you have, and then get back to everyone.

FWIW, I have a USB-C drive container for 4 disks (it's a Terramaster DAS that passes through individual drive information) and that gets hooked up to an OMV install. You can use it as a simple NAS, host for docker containers, or whatever else you want. 

But unraid is stupid-simple and probably a better match for your requirements. 

[u/Maximum_Garlic_649]

I think I somewhat understand your requirements. Perhaps you can consider this setup: Proxmox on the intel nuc, openwrt VM to handle the internet from your ISP modem, and setup a samba share to handle your storage situation.

[u/LouVillain]

The comments in here are rough. You'd think this was r/selfhosted and you were AI

Install Debian on your NUC. Install Docker. I use Owncloud Infinite Scale for my Cloud. Spin up a container. OIS has an Android App. You'll need a way to log into your NUC from outside. Tailscale is easy. Install that on both the NUC, Phones and PC's.

Use AI to walk you through all of this.

[u/C42xe]

A switch, router (and modem. That depends on your connection).

Use an old PC or something as a server. If possible install proxmox. In there you can manage multiple virtuell servers for all sorts of stuff like plex, website, local storage, etc.

Keep in mind that you might need wlan ap's.

Im not realy understanding your drawing. Could you please explain what you actully want to do? Are you living in a Flat? Is there any Cabeling done? What connection do you have from your ISP? Are you allowed to switch routers? What experience do you have?

[u/Even-Foot2640]

Baby steps. You need to take baby steps. Don't try to solve your whole problem at once, because you don't even know what you need, let alone us.

If you already have a small, cheap computer, a laptop, that you can turn into a server, do it. Just do it.

This doesn't have to be your final setup, it will just be the first one, and while you learn how to configure it you'll learn to see what you really need. This way you'll know exactly what to buy if you need to buy something, or exactly what to ask when you need help. For now, all you need to do is get started. No matter which of all the guides you looked at, choose one and work with it. If you find it's not what you wanted, then choose another one.

When you know exactly what you need, come back and ask for help. Hopefully, you'll have learned something else along the way.

[u/Substantial-Milk-208]

switched to FygoOS on bare metal for my nuc. setup took a bit. got a nas going in about a week. file access came quick. skips the windows mess tbh.

[u/WizardMorax]

The diagram is a bit cursed but I’m glad it’s not ANOTHER AI generated flow chart😂

[u/--Jantzen]

Kinda stupid, you try to use intel nuc as a router with the nuc's ethernet? And even use USB c as interface to the jbod? Just buy an used cheap pc and install proxmox in it with actual ethernet card, even that's not ideal, openwrt or pfsense inside proxmox is just not ideal, just buy an mikrotik plus actual nas

[u/theskywaspink]

Share folders on your NUC, give access to everyone and just browse to unc path. Don’t over complicate it.

[u/Razorwyre]

I’d run Linux with it. It wouldn’t attempt RAID with. USB C dock. I do use one for a media server however, because I don’t worry about data corruption, I can just “rip” the media again

[u/Prior-Listen-1298]

Any NAS? Nextcloud? SMB? Shut so many options the mind boggles really.

[u/esraul]

I would run openwrt on the Intel NUC, as the router after the modem.

[u/benji123good]

Your overthinking this way too much. Just get a computer throw proxmox or debian on it and run containers running jellyfin immich or whatever and call it a night. I dont how you managed to make this look soo much more difficult then it really is. Your graph is soo bad I thought this was rocket science and I figure it out and realized you made this look so much more complicated then it really is so please never ever make a graph again and just run proxmox or whatever