I Replaced My Synology NAS with a Custom Server Running Proxmox
After years of relying on my Synology NAS, I decided to regain full control over my data by building a custom server with Proxmox. Originally, the NAS was just a storage solution for work images and Plex media files, but it gradually transformed into a home lab. Eventually, it attempted to handle too many tasks at once and failed to perform well.
Building my own server had always been part of my long-term plans for home lab experiments, and the time to act finally came. Now, the NAS’s role is focused on archival storage, while the new server manages the demanding workloads.
Reasons for the Change
- My home lab needs exceeded the capabilities of the Synology NAS and my mini PC.
- The mini PC is limited to 12GB of non-upgradeable RAM.
- The NAS can support up to 64GB of RAM but cannot use a GPU to accelerate workloads.
- Physical drive bays on the NAS were fully occupied.
Hardware Contribution and Independence
SilverStone, Asus, and Kingston provided hardware for this project. None of these companies reviewed or influenced the article's content before publication.
"While the company's missteps certainly hastened this decision, it's been brewing for a while."
Summary
My evolving needs outgrew the limitations of the Synology NAS and mini PC, pushing me to finally build a more powerful and flexible custom server to handle my home lab's demanding workloads.
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