We've extensively covered network-attached storage (NAS) here on XDA, and this will only continue as the segment grows with more people looking to self-host services and store more data locally. For World Backup Week, you'll want to consider picking one up for your home if you plan on storing backups and other sensitive data. I first purchased a NAS enclosure in 2017, having previously read about them but never tried one due to an over-reliance on cloud storage. That all changed when I bought a two-bay Synology NAS.

Creating a central storage hub

No longer requiring an army of external drives

Before using a NAS to store backups, data, and running services, I utilized numerous backup drives. Some USB sticks held configuration backups for important systems and were usually always connected to run an automated backup each week. Larger 3.5-inch external drives were used for storing actual data, be it media, documents, work-related materials, and more. Although everything was labelled and I had the systems in place, it wasn't a long-term solution.

For starters, I couldn't quickly pass the baton to someone else in the household as they wouldn't have a clue what goes where and which drive to use. Then there's the case of all the external drives being out in the open and primed for theft or accidental damage. I needed somewhere more secure to stash them. A safe would work but then it doesn't solve the first problem. A NAS enclosure achieves both in a sleek and somewhat affordable package.

Cloud-based storage subscriptions became all the rage in the 2010s as more and more mobile devices came online. Phone cameras continued to improve to the point where social media started to ramp up media demands, and internal storage was quickly running out. I, too, relied heavily on online storage, and while it's convenient and far cheaper than spending hundreds on a NAS and drives, you're relying on third parties to manage your data.

NAS is perfect for backups

Store data from everyone at home

We've all seen the reports of cloud storage accounts getting hacked and media files leaking to the world, but it's simply unacceptable for me to allow a company to essentially hold my data and be able to view/sell it. While I don't store incriminating materials on any of my accounts, even documentation and family photos are private and I'd like to keep it that way. Even though I was paying for storage, there are free plan tiers available, and I know full well that when there's no price, you become the product.

I had a few requirements when overhauling my backup strategy in 2017:

• It had to be cost-effective.
• I needed more than 20 TB of capacity.
• It should be easy to add and manage other users and their backups.
• Adhering to the 3-2-1 backup strategy should be seamless.

NAS ticked all those boxes. Sure, it would be pricier upfront, but the costings would balance out for local storage in just a few years. Depending on which model you buy (or DIY system you build), you can have capacities surpassing 100 terabytes. NAS operating systems for branded turnkey enclosures or as a download for manual installation are great for adding and managing users. Finally, NAS can be integrated into an effective 3-2-1 backup strategy.

Using a NAS, you can use integrations and apps to automatically back up and store data from your mobile devices, PCs, and other devices. Various protocols can be used if no app is available, though using Rsync and other tools may prove troublesome for the less tech-savvy.

The rise of self-hosting everything

Relying on open-source communities

Instead of using services offered by companies, often which have similar payment models to cloud storage, there's a strong movement pushing forward self-hosting on NAS and home servers. A simple device, which was primarily used to store data and backups has turned into a powerful system rivalling that of small desktop PCs. You can even buy preconfigured NAS enclosures from brands such as QNAP with desktop-class Intel Core processors.

With a powerful NAS server as your foundation, you can use it for storing data (and backups), as well as various services. We've already covered countless Docker containers that can be quickly deployed on a NAS, and these can allow you to create and launch your own media streaming service, Google Photos alternative, password manager, surveillance video recorder, and more. Docker also makes it easy to install, manage, and update packages, and is supported by most operating systems.

The best part of using a NAS is that it can be essentially anything you need it to be. Have an old PC and wish to use Windows? Go for it. Want to take a turnkey enclosure and install an aftermarket OS? That's possible on some models. You could even use something simple, such as a Raspberry Pi and a few drives. Depending on what you'd need your NAS for, you could use a simple ARM-powered system with a drive or two for data storage alone.

Moving to AMD and Intel processors, more RAM, and drive bays will make the NAS more versatile for running other stuff. Even with a NAS running, it's still worth using drives and other media as part of a healthy backup policy, especially when working with data from other people. Consider external drives, a NAS, online cloud storage, cold storage, and off-site backups for getting the most out of your backup strategy and ensuring you're never at risk of data loss.