There are good reasons to set up your own cloud. This starts with a lack of trust in the data protection of the respective cloud operator and extends to legal concerns, especially for small businesses when the company data is abroad. We explain to you how you can use the Open Source software NextCloud to set up your own cloud on a virtual private server (VPS) with Linux.
First of all, you can rest assured: Setting up your own cloud is not rocket science. Don’t be put off by terms like Linux server, Debian or NPS. Even newcomers to Linux can set up their own cloud in around an hour.
What do you need for your own Linux cloud?
To install your own, private Nextcloud on a VPS and put it into operation, three steps are required:
Step 1: You need a VPS with Linux (here: debian)
Step 2: Prepare Nextcloud installation with Docker
Step 3: Install Nextcloud on the VPS via Docker
Don’t be afraid of config files: installing Nextcloud under debian is also possible for non-professionals. / © dogado
Step 1: You need a VPS with Linux (here: debian)
The first step towards a private Linux cloud is your own server. The simplest solution is a so-called VPS, a virtual private server. You can rent a VPS server from dogado, for example. The server rental starts at 5.90 euros per month, the servers are in Düsseldorf. With the voucher code “cloudserver1m” you can try the service for one month free of charge.
As soon as you have set up a server at dogado, you will receive the access data. The IP address as well as the user name and password are important here. Now establish an SSH connection with your new server.
- MacOS X: Just open the terminal and type in the following command: “ssh
@ “. Then you enter the password and you are connected. - Windows: On current Windows versions you can install the SSH client “OpenSSH” in the settings under Apps & Features / Optional Features. Alternatively or for older Windows versions, the third-party solution PuTTY is recommended. Here, too, you type the following command “ssh
@ ” and authenticate yourself with your password.
You are then connected to the server via the command line and can carry out the following steps.
Step 2: Prepare Nextcloud installation with Docker
To install the Nextcloud application on your Linux server as easily as possible, you first need Docker. Docker simplifies the installation of applications because they are combined into so-called containers, including all the components required for operation. Instructions for installing Docker can be found here:
We recommend that you not only install Docker but also Traefik on your Linux server. This enables you to operate other services in addition to Nextcloud, for example setting up a Teamspeak server, a Plex media server or a Minecraft server.
Step 3: Install Nextcloud on the VPS via Docker
If you have installed Docker and Traefik on your server, it is Nextcloud’s turn. As with Docker, a number of console commands are required for this – but don’t worry: Once the Nextcloud has been installed and set up, it offers a graphic interface à la Dropbox or Google Drive. The tutorial for installing Nextcloud on the Linux VPS can be found under the following link.
A big advantage over the “finished” cloud solutions from Microsoft, Google & Co. is also the availability of extensions with Nextcloud. You can install this directly via Nextcloud, or you can view it now in the Nextcloud app store.
Conclusion
Installing and setting up your own Nextcloud on a Linux VPS is done in around an hour – and also feasible for Linux newbies. In addition to a private cloud in Germany, you of course also have the option of setting up many other services on your virtual server. And what if you hear about any security breaches and scandals with the usual cloud providers in the future? Then just say: I’ll build my own cloud, with …
With Nextcloud you are independent of commercial cloud services such as Google Drive, Apple iCloud or Dropbox. / © Alvakos / Shutterstock.com