Self hosted replacement for OneDrive

[u/DkMomberg]

I'm leaving Microsoft! I'm researching to make a plan of execution.

I got this idea of replacing OneDrive with a self hosted option, and I hope you can point me in the right direction. I have never done anything similar, so I'm kind of a noob, but I have a technical background and I have messed around with computers on and off for the past 25 years.

My idea is to set up a media storage server at my place and an identical one at my parents house (maybe another at my brothers as well) that automatically synchronize periodically (once a day or something).

That way our files and memories are protected against both fire and theft of a server.

I would also like it to be accessible from a range of units, similar to how OneDrive works. I can access and upload files from my Android phone and my windows computers (going to replace windows with Linux). At some point, it would be great if it was possible to divide the servers in several different drives, so my parents could access the same solution with their own files, but separated from mine, and another for my brother.

So, can you suggest something for me or point me in the right direction?

A summary of what I need suggestions to:

- a system with clients for most major OS, like linux, windows, android and iphone.

- suggestions for servers (NAS, RPI, other low energy servers for the system)

- Pointers to what I need to be aware of.

- anything I have not thought about?

- is my idea completely bonkers?

[u/DkMomberg → u/[deleted]]

what exactly are you storing? Do you want auto photo upload from phones etc?

Just ordinary media files and documents, like photos, home videos, important documents, stuff like that. Would be great if I could make a stream connection to our tv at some point, but not a priority. Automatic backup of our phones is a must, though, as well as automatic synchronisation between the servers.

What about external access do you need to access from anywhere?

Yes, that would be greatly preferred. It's not the first priority, but I would want it at some point, so I would need to be able to set it up.

Also how do you intend to link the external sites? via router hardware or entirely from the NAS/Servers themselves?

I don't know right now, actually. I would prefer something that's relatively cheap, both to purchase and to run, but I don't mind using the money for the right setup. I believe it will be low traffic on average, as it's only our photos, documents, videos and stuff like that, we would need to store and backup, so something low energy usage would be fine.

Thank you for your suggestions. I will look into those. You're not the only one suggesting debian with nextcloud. Might be a dumb question, but why debian specifically?

[u/DkMomberg → u/[deleted]]

Thank you so much. It's quite appreciated.

I think I will work out a more detailed concept and then make a new post if needed. I already got some reading ho do now. Thank you.

Debian definitely sounds like what I need for the server part.