How do I create my own Home Cloud

HI, I've been reading/researching on creating home clouds. I have seen people suggest a Home server instead or use cloud based service. I would much like to have my own cloud in my own home which I can control. I have an Asus RT-AC68U Router which has a 2 x USB ports on it and I can attach 2 separate USB Drives. This is fine and all, but I can't back up our Mobile Devices to it, only access what's on the drive attached to it.

What I am trying to accomplish: (Basically Home Cloud)

1. I would like to back up Pictures and Documents and Possible Sync as well, all our mobile devices, Android, Apple and Windows. (I Have a big enough Data plan to support this if necessary, but would like to only do it on WiFi if I can configure the devices this way) This is not a necessity, just an idea.

2. I would like to access them from outside our home when necessary.

Questions:

1. Am I better off trying to figure this out or setting up a Home Server on an Old PC with a Big enough HDD installed?

2. Am I better off just purchasing an NAS External USB HDD and hook it up to my Router (if this can be done?)

Thanks in Advance!

Whenever I want to try something that is more than likely difficult to install and setup properly I try to find a solution that is already made in VMware ( virtual machine software ) and the first place I check is a site called Bitnami, they have a lot of virtual machines to play with.

I found one that might interest you -- It's called ownCloud Virtual Machines --
https://bitnami.com/stack/owncloud
and the download is here
https://bitnami.com/stack/owncloud/virtual-machine

The good thing about this method is that if you screw something up it's no big deal to erase the folder that you unzipped the VM to and then just unzip it again and start brand new in minuets not hours. There is a bit of a learning curve to this because you dont actually set it up in the vm you have to use a browser ( IE, Chrome , Firefox, Internet explorer ) after logging into the VM you minimize it then use your browser in Windows 7 or whatever OS you are using..

Note: Most of the VM's here use the name bitnami ( or "user" in this case ) and a password of bitnami and after logging in you have to change the password also note that when you type the password it will not show up on the screen just type it and press enter

One thing you need to be aware of is that many ISPs do not permit the operation of an Internet accessible server with a standard account. If they see a high level of upload traffic they are likely to start asking questions.

LMiller7 said:

One thing you need to be aware of is that many ISPs do not permit the operation of an Internet accessible server with a standard account. If they see a high level of upload traffic they are likely to start asking questions.

Thanks, I have seen many posts with you mentioning this in them in my research, so it's not new to me...lol...I've already look into that (I have Frontier) and they told me I'm not capped for upload and I can do what I am trying to do without any issues or concerns as far as they are concerned. It helps to actually listen and read what others like yourself has posted, and to follow through like I did..lol..

Thanks again Lmiller!

sml156 said:

Whenever I want to try something that is more than likely difficult to install and setup properly I try to find a solution that is already made in VMware ( virtual machine software ) and the first place I check is a site called Bitnami, they have a lot of virtual machines to play with.

Thanks! I'm going to look into this....Hopefully it's something I can do and will work for what I want to do..I was actually looking at NAS Hard Drives and NAS Servers..I was also looking at the WD External Cloud HDD's...(Part of my continued reserach...lol)

LMiller7 said:

One thing you need to be aware of is that many ISPs do not permit the operation of an Internet accessible server with a standard account. If they see a high level of upload traffic they are likely to start asking questions.

I feel that this is a valid concern but by default there is no way for my solution to go outside of OP's internal network without changing "his/her" Router or firewall rules.

I merle wanted the OP to discover one more option to repurpose a old machine without actually installing it