# 🏠 Home NAS server: don't throw away your old PC, create your own private "cloud"

🏠 Home NAS server: don't throw away your old PC, create your own private "cloud" Do you have a computer stored in the cupboard gathering dust? At Bytechip we show you how to turn it into a NAS (Network Attached Storage). You will be able to access your files, photos and films from anywhere in the world, without paying monthly fees and keeping full control of your privacy. 💾 What can you do with your Bytechip NAS? Photo backup: Free up space on your phone automatically. Media centre: Your own "Netflix" with your films and series using Plex or Jellyfin. 24/7 downloads: Leave the old PC downloading files while using hardly any electricity. Remote access: Open your work documents from the office or the street. 🛠️ The 3 recommended operating systems To turn a PC into a NAS we will not use Windows (it consumes too many resources). These are the best alternatives: 1. TrueNAS CORE (the professional) It is the king of stability. It uses the ZFS file system, which means your data is protected against disk failures in an almost magical way. Requirement: You need at least 8GB of RAM. 2. CasaOS (the simplest and most modern) If you do not want complications, CasaOS is for you. It has a beautiful interface that looks like a tablet. Installing apps such as Plex or Nextcloud is a matter of a single click. Ideal for: Beginners and parents who want something that "just works". 3. OpenMediaVault (for very old PCs) If your PC is really old (little RAM, old processor), this Debian-based system is light as a feather. 🚀 Basic steps to get started Physical cleaning: Open the PC, remove the dust and, if you can, add an extra hard drive just for data. Installation: Download the ISO of the chosen system, write it to a USB with Rufus and boot the PC from it. Configuration: Once installed, you do not need a monitor or keyboard. You will manage everything from the browser of your main PC. Connection: Always connect it by Ethernet cable to the router. Wi-Fi is not enough for a file server. 💡 Bytechip's pro tip If you are going to use the NAS for family photos, make sure you have an external backup. Remember the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies of your data, on 2 different media and 1 of them away from home. ← Back to the blog