Own Cloud: Raspberry Pi Personal Cloud Storage

1. Recommended Tech Stack

• Backend: Use a lightweight web framework. For example, Node.js/Express or Python/Flask (or
Django/DRF) for building RESTful APIs. These can easily handle file uploads/downloads. Persist user
data and file metadata in a SQLite database (for simplicity) or a small MySQL/PostgreSQL if scaling.
The actual files live on the attached drive (ext4 file system). For object-style storage, you could use
MinIO (S3-compatible) on the Pi. Authentication can be handled with JWT or OAuth2 libraries (e.g.
Passport.js for Node, or Flask-JWT).
• Storage: Format the external HDD/SSD as an ext4 (Linux) file system and mount it on the Pi.
Optionally encrypt the volume with LUKS. Store each user’s files under separate directories. Use a
simple abstraction layer so the backend reads/writes to disk without heavy database overhead.
• APIs & File Management: Expose REST endpoints for actions like upload, download, list files, create
folders, etc. Use existing libraries (e.g. Multer for Node, or Django REST Framework upload handlers)
to simplify file handling. Ensure support for HTTP range requests if streaming media files. Follow a
multi-tier design: separate storage, backend, and frontend layers communicating via secure APIs 1 .
• Web Frontend: Build a responsive web dashboard (React, Vue or plain HTML/CSS/JavaScript) that
interacts with the API. The UI should include login/logout, a file browser (with thumbnails for
images), album/gallery views, and media player pages. Frameworks like React or Vue plus a UI
library (Bootstrap/Tailwind) can accelerate development. Ensure the dashboard works well in mobile
browsers (or as a Progressive Web App).
• Mobile App: Provide a cross-platform mobile client (e.g. Flutter or React Native) that uses the same
backend API. The app can offer photo backup, file sync, and media streaming. Alternatively, a well-
designed PWA can serve mobile users. If using Nextcloud or similar under the hood, their existing
iOS/Android apps could be reused.
• Streaming: For media files, use HTML5 <video> / <audio> playback on the web and apps. The
server should support byte-range requests to allow seeking. If needed, integrate FFmpeg for on-the-
fly transcoding of large videos (though this is CPU-intensive on a Pi).

In summary, a typical stack might be Raspberry Pi OS + Node/Express (or Python/Flask) + SQLite + ext4 on
HDD. The frontend can be a static bundle (React/Vue) served via Nginx or the Node/Flask server. This three-
tier approach (storage/backend/frontend) is common in secure cloud platforms 1 .

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2. System Architecture & Deployment

Figure 1: Raspberry Pi (here, an early Model B) connected to an external USB drive and network cable. This Pi hosts
the Own Cloud server and attached storage.

The core hardware is a Raspberry Pi (ideally a Pi 4 or higher) with sufficient RAM (4 GB+) and a connected
USB 3.0 hard drive or SSD for storage. The Pi runs a Linux OS (Raspberry Pi OS or Ubuntu Server). In our
architecture, the Pi acts as a mini-NAS: it mounts the HDD (formatted ext4, optionally LUKS-encrypted) and
exposes its contents via web APIs. Users on PCs or phones reach the Pi through the local network or
internet.

• Pi & Storage: Attach the drive to a USB3 port for full bandwidth. Format it (e.g. mkfs.ext4 /dev/
sda1 ) and add to /etc/fstab so it mounts on boot. Configure separate folders or partitions for
each user or share as needed. On Pi OS, use 64-bit edition for better performance. (One user’s
example: a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ with 1 GB RAM and 64-bit OS easily served ~10 users 2 .)
• Network: Connect the Pi to your home router via Ethernet (much faster and reliable than Wi-Fi) 3 .
Assign a static IP (or a DHCP reservation) so it’s always reachable. For external access, use a
Dynamic DNS service (e.g. DuckDNS) to map a domain name to your home IP. On the router,
forward ports 80/443 (HTTP/HTTPS) to the Pi’s IP, or better yet tunnel via a VPN/SSH (e.g. Tailscale/
ZeroTier) to avoid exposing ports. As [4] suggests, once powered and networked, you log in via the
Pi’s web interface to finish setup 4 .
• Server Deployment: Install the backend stack on the Pi (e.g. Node.js or Python), and run your server
process (use PM2 or systemd). Place a reverse proxy (Nginx or Caddy) in front to handle HTTPS (with
a Let’s Encrypt certificate). The proxy listens on 443 and forwards requests to the backend port (e.g.
3000).
• Cloud Sync Options (optional): For added redundancy, you could sync critical data off-site. For
example, use rclone on the Pi to periodically back up photos and files to S3/Google Drive.
(Nextcloud-based systems can also connect to Google Photos/iCloud for syncing 5 .) These are
optional; the core Own Cloud need only live on the Pi.

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This architecture yields a private cloud much like a NAS: the Pi (CPU + OS + memory) plus HDDs, plugged
into your router 6 . Users access it via web/mobile interfaces from anywhere (with VPN or open ports). The
system is low-cost yet full-featured.

3. Prototyping & Testing Steps

1. Hardware Setup: Assemble the Pi with the external drive and power it on with a microSD card.
Connect it via Ethernet to your router. (As a guide, “first plug the hard-drive into the Raspberry Pi…
use an Ethernet cable to plug your Pi into your router” 7 .)
2. OS & Network Configuration: Flash Raspberry Pi OS (Lite) onto the SD card. Boot up, ssh into the
Pi. Run sudo raspi-config (or use the GUI) to set a hostname, local user and password, and
configure a static IP. Update the system ( apt update && apt upgrade ). Enable SSH for headless
management.
3. Storage Mounting: Partition and format the attached drive (e.g. with fdisk and mkfs.ext4 ).
Create a mount point (e.g. /media/clouddrive ), and add it to /etc/fstab so it auto-mounts
on boot. Test by rebooting. Ensure permissions allow your server process to read/write.
4. Backend & Database: Install your chosen backend stack (Node.js/npm or Python + pip). If using
Node, initialize a project and install packages like Express, Multer (for uploads), JSON Web Token
(auth), etc. For Python, install Flask/Django and relevant plugins. Also install SQLite or another DB
and connect it. Initialize your database schema for users, file metadata, etc.
5. Develop Core APIs: Build REST endpoints: user signup/login, file upload (to the mounted drive), file
listing, file download, media streaming, and user file management (rename/delete). Secure
endpoints with auth (JWT tokens or session cookies). For example, in Node/Express use middleware
to check JWT on each request. Store uploaded files under the user’s directory on disk.
6. Web Frontend Prototype: Create a simple web UI (React/Vue or server-rendered templates) that
calls the API. Include pages for login, file browser, photo gallery (thumbnails), and a media player
page. Test file operations via the UI. Keep styling minimal at first (e.g. Bootstrap). Ensure image
previews and video playback work.
7. Mobile/PWA: Either build a basic React Native/Flutter app that uses the same API (with login and
upload UI), or convert your web dashboard into a PWA for mobile. Test on an actual phone: log in,
upload a photo, view it in gallery, stream a video.
8. Security Setup: Obtain a TLS certificate (Let’s Encrypt) for your domain. Configure the proxy to use
HTTPS (port 443). Disable any test passwords. Create multiple user accounts and verify each user
only accesses their own files. Consider adding 2FA if time permits (e.g. via OTP libraries).
9. Testing & Validation: Perform functional tests: upload/download various file types, test concurrent
uploads, check gallery rendering, stream large media. Test multi-user isolation (users A and B should
not see each other’s files). Test from inside LAN (via local IP) and from outside (using DDNS).
Simulate failure cases (e.g. Pi reboot) and ensure auto-restart of services.
10. Iteration: Based on tests, refine features. For example, improve error handling, add progress bars
to uploads, or optimize image loading. Ensure the system is stable under expected load. Once
happy, finalize the prototype and document the setup steps.

Throughout development, lean on existing tutorials and documentation (for example, NextcloudPi
installation guides 8 or open-source examples) for reference, but build only the features needed. The goal
is a minimal viable product with full functionality.

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4. Security Best Practices
• Strong Authentication: Disable any default “admin” accounts and create new users 9 . Require
strong passwords (mixed-case, numbers/symbols, ≥12 characters) for all accounts 10 . Don’t hard-
code credentials. After login, issue a session cookie or JWT token securely.
• Encryption in Transit (HTTPS): Always use HTTPS/TLS. Obtain a valid SSL certificate (Let’s Encrypt
works well) and terminate SSL at your server or proxy 11 12 . This encrypts all data (files,
credentials) between clients and your Pi. Never transmit passwords or tokens over plain HTTP.
• Two-Factor Authentication: For admin or user logins, enable 2FA if possible. For example, use
mobile OTP apps or security keys for extra safety 13 . This guards against stolen passwords.
• Access Control: Enforce strict permissions. Each user should only see and manipulate their own
files. Implement user roles if needed (e.g. admin vs regular). Use secure coding practices (sanitize
inputs to avoid path traversal, SQL injection, etc.).
• Encrypt Data at Rest: Optionally encrypt the storage volume (with LUKS/dm-crypt) so that if the
drive is removed, the data remains encrypted. This adds overhead but protects data if the hardware
is stolen.
• Network Hardening: Close all unneeded ports. Only forward HTTPS (443) and, if necessary, SSH (but
better restrict SSH to LAN only). [22] notes that default ports (80,443,22) are commonly scanned by
attackers 14 , so consider using non-standard ports or VPN to obscure services. Use a firewall (ufw/
iptables) to restrict access (e.g. block everything except your home IP or VPN range).
• Keep Software Updated: Regularly run updates on the Pi OS and all software components to patch
vulnerabilities. If you’re using Docker, pull updated images.
• Logging and Monitoring: Enable logging of login attempts and API errors. Install intrusion
detection (fail2ban) to block repeated failed logins. Monitor disk space and system load.
• Backups: Securely back up important data. If data is encrypted at rest, make sure you have the key
or passphrase backed up in a safe place. Test restores to ensure backup integrity.

By following these practices – strong passwords, HTTPS, 2FA, least-privilege access, and updates – you can
greatly reduce security risks in your personal cloud 9 15 .

5. Competing Solutions and Differentiation

Several existing platforms offer similar functionality. For example:

• Nextcloud/NextcloudPi: A full-featured open-source personal cloud (sync, sharing, calendar,

OnlyOffice) popular on Raspberry Pi. Nextcloud is very flexible but can be complex to install on bare
Pi OS; NextcloudPi provides pre-built images that simplify setup 16 . Its strengths include a rich app
ecosystem and mobile clients. However, it can be heavy on a Pi and includes many features beyond
basic storage. Own Cloud can differentiate by providing only core features (file/photo/media) with a
simpler UI, making it leaner and faster on limited hardware.
• ownCloud: The original open-source cloud platform (similar to Nextcloud). It boasts strong
collaboration tools. It typically uses a three-tier design (storage, backend, frontend) with well-defined
APIs 1 . ownCloud is enterprise-oriented and can be overkill for a home Pi, and its encryption is
usually server-side only. Own Cloud can aim for easier setup and true end-to-end security (see
below).
• Seafile: A self-hosted file sync solution known for easy setup and good performance. It focuses on
file synchronization but has fewer built-in sharing features.

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 • Syncthing: Peer-to-peer folder syncing; runs on Pi as a sync engine. No central UI or media viewing.
Good for multi-device sync but not a true “cloud server.”
• Synology/QNAP (DiskStation): Commercial NAS devices. They offer polished web interfaces, apps,
and services out of the box. However, they require buying hardware and are closed-source.
Compared to Synology, Own Cloud is cheaper (Pi + HDD) and customizable, at the cost of requiring
DIY skills.
• FileBrowser: An open-source web-based file manager 17 . It provides multi-user access with each
user seeing a directory structure, but lacks advanced features like photo galleries. It’s lightweight
and easy to run on a Pi. Own Cloud could use FileBrowser as inspiration for basic file management,
while adding gallery and streaming.
• CasaOS: A Raspberry Pi–compatible “home cloud” OS with a simple GUI and app store 18 . It bundles
Docker apps like Nextcloud. CasaOS is designed for novices. Own Cloud can learn from CasaOS’s
simplicity (e.g. one-click Docker install) but remain lighter since it only needs the cloud server itself.

In short, Own Cloud positions itself as a simplified personal cloud: fewer features than Nextcloud or
Synology, but easier to install (following the NextcloudPi model 16 ), and focused on user-friendly web/
mobile access to files, photos, and media. It can improve on others by optimizing performance on the Pi
and providing a cleaner, more focused UI (e.g. a built-in photo gallery rather than a generic file list).

6. Key Challenges and Mitigations

• Hardware Limits: The Pi’s CPU and RAM are limited. Large numbers of simultaneous users or high-
definition video transcoding may overload it. Mitigation: Use Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with 4–8 GB RAM,
and a USB3 SSD for fast I/O. Avoid CPU-heavy tasks (e.g. limit on-the-fly video conversion). For more
power, one could offload transcoding to a stronger machine or use hardware acceleration (not
readily available on Pi).
• Networking Issues: Consumer ISP setups often use CG-NAT or no static IP. Mitigation: Use a
Dynamic DNS service or VPN (WireGuard/Tailscale) to access your Pi securely from outside. If port
forwarding is unreliable, tools like Cloudflare Tunnel or Tailscale can provide secure remote access
without manual port mapping.
• Security Exposure: Running services at home exposes them to the internet. Mitigation: As noted,
use strong auth/HTTPS/2FA. Keep the Pi behind a firewall. Consider running the Pi on a separate
VLAN or Wi-Fi guest network so that a compromise doesn’t endanger your main network. Disable
any unused services and change default service ports 14 .
• Reliability: SD cards can fail, and single-Pi is a single point of failure. Mitigation: Run the OS off a
reliable USB drive or SSD instead of SD. Keep regular backups of data to an external location. If
uptime is critical, consider a Pi “hot spare” image that can take over if the main Pi dies.
• User Experience: Building a good UI/UX is non-trivial. Mitigation: Leverage existing frameworks and
components (e.g. open-source JavaScript galleries, file managers) rather than coding everything
from scratch. Start with a minimal interface and iterate based on user feedback.

By acknowledging these challenges and designing around them (e.g. choosing Pi 4, using wired Ethernet,
isolating the server network, and leveraging mature libraries), the Own Cloud concept remains practical
even on low-cost hardware. Each limitation can be partially mitigated by careful architecture choices.

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7. Case Studies & Related Open-Source Projects
Several projects demonstrate similar setups and can inspire features:

• Rossano’s Pi Photo Cloud: A detailed blog post describes using a Raspberry Pi 4 (4 GB RAM) with
Docker Compose to run Nextcloud as a personal photo cloud 19 . He mounts an external USB drive
and deploys Nextcloud in a container. This shows the feasibility of running a full cloud service on Pi
hardware.
• Secure Personal Cloud (GitHub): An academic-style project (“Secure Personal Cloud”) implemented
in Django/Python 20 . It focuses on end-to-end encryption, allowing users to upload/download
encrypted files to their chosen server. This demonstrates strong security practices (client-side
encryption) that Own Cloud might adopt for sensitive data.
• FileBrowser (GitHub): An open-source web file manager that runs on your server 17 . It provides
multi-user access, with each user mapped to a directory. It supports upload, preview, edit, etc.
Reviewing FileBrowser’s code or UI can guide how to implement a lightweight file management
interface.
• CasaOS: An entire home-cloud OS (Docker-based) for Raspberry Pi 18 . Its claim is “an easy-to-use,
elegant open-source Home Cloud system.” It provides a GUI dashboard and app store. CasaOS
shows how to bundle multiple services (Nextcloud, Bitwarden, etc.) into one interface. Own Cloud
can borrow UI/installation ideas from CasaOS (e.g., one-line installer) while focusing on just the file
sharing app.
• Lychee/PhotoPrism: (Not a full cloud but photo servers.) Lychee (open-source photo gallery) and
PhotoPrism (AI-powered gallery) run on Pi. They offer inspiration for the “photo backup/gallery” use
case. PhotoPrism, for example, uses Go and can auto-tag photos.
• NextcloudPi: Although already mentioned, it’s worth citing as a case. NextcloudPi provides pre-built
Pi images of Nextcloud. Its ease-of-install approach can be mimicked; for instance, Own Cloud could
offer a one-step install script.

Each of these examples illustrates a piece of the puzzle: hardware configuration, deployment with Docker,
GUI design, or security. Studying them can help refine Own Cloud’s design and implementation.

Sources: Own Cloud’s design draws on documentation and guides from NAS/personal cloud experts 6
16 , Synology best practices 9 15 , and relevant open-source projects 19 17 18 . These illustrate

common architectures and security measures for home clouds.

1 ownCloud - share files and folders, easy and secure

https://owncloud.com/

2 3 5 8 16 Own your cloud with NextcloudPi on the Raspberry Pi | Opensource.com

https://opensource.com/article/23/3/nextcloudpi-nextcloud-raspberry-pi

4 6 7 What is personal cloud storage (PCS)? | Definition from TechTarget

https://www.techtarget.com/searchstorage/definition/personal-cloud-storage-PCS

9 10 11 13 15 Synology: Simply Steps to Secure Your NAS – Marius Hosting

https://mariushosting.com/synology-simply-steps-to-secure-your-nas/

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12 14 Storage Connection Security: Best Practices
https://massive.io/content-security/securing-your-storage-connection/

17 GitHub - filebrowser/filebrowser: Web File Browser

https://github.com/filebrowser/filebrowser

18 A simple Raspberry Pi NAS

https://axelrafn.org/blog/a-simple-nas/

19 How I turned my Raspberry Pi into a private cloud server - DEV Community

https://dev.to/rossanodan/how-i-turned-my-raspberry-pi-into-a-private-cloud-server-1lpn

20 GitHub - kazikame/Secure-Personal-Cloud: A Django/Python based end-to-end encrypted cloud server

and client system
https://github.com/kazikame/Secure-Personal-Cloud