Cheap NAS that isn't tied to the cloud

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neb

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#305960 16-Jun-2023 20:49

I'm helping out a friend who has a small business that stores PII and wants to store it locally rather than anywhere cloud-based. My suggestion was to buy a second-hand NAS off Trademe and use that, for example this Netgear RN31200 for $169, other options are older Synology and QNAP boxes, but they all make a big deal about how they're cloud-tied and cloud-managed and you can access your data from anywhere, which is the exact opposite of what's desired.

Does anyone know if those can be run with no cloud access, management, or anything else? Ideally the only access, and only requirement to use it, should be a web interface on the local LAN.

Jiriteach

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#3090858 16-Jun-2023 20:51

Synology does offer a ton of cloud based services all of which you can disable and not use. In fact - on setup - none of them are installed and its up to you to configure external access if this is required otherwise it will just be all local.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

everettpsycho

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#3090859 16-Jun-2023 20:53

If you want cheap and cheerful but definitely not cloud connected any old second hand pc can probably handle the likes of freenas or truenas. It's not that complex to set up a basic file share with a couple of drives shoved inside for basic useand if you don't go installing other apps it definitely won't be off hosting in the cloud.

neb

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#3090863 16-Jun-2023 21:02

If it was my own system... actually my own system is running XigmaNAS, but this is for a non-geek so a plug-and-play box would be preferred.

I also know you can set firewall rules on some of them to block Internet access, but given that they all advertise how easy it is to get in and out no matter what I want to make sure that it really cuts off everything, not just "everything but the cloud management system, and the backup access, and the file sharing, and the ...".

neb

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#3090866 16-Jun-2023 21:06

Jiriteach:
Synology does offer a ton of cloud based services all of which you can disable and not use. In fact - on setup - none of them are installed and its up to you to configure external access if this is required otherwise it will just be all local.

Good to know, thanks! Amazon AU has a DS120j for $164 with free shipping and the 220j for $239 which offers the option of redundancy, so I might get one of those.

phrozenpenguin

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#3090870 16-Jun-2023 21:37

I would second the Synology choice. Nothing is enabled by default and can be locked down further e.g. firewall on device.

Be aware that storing PII locally still has implications e.g. it should be encrypted etc.

neb

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#3090871 16-Jun-2023 21:42

Yeah, that was another selling point for the Synology, it seems to have fairly decent encryption support.

The main motivation in terms of security though was getting the data off obvious theft targets like laptops onto an anonymous white box parked under a desk somewhere, the encryption is just icing on the cake.

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robjg63

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#3090874 16-Jun-2023 22:02

I have a 5yo QNAP NAS and you certainly don't have to use any cloud services on it if you don't want to.
Nothing is turned on by default.
You can just use them as that little backup device on the shelf if you want to.

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dpf81nz

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#3090877 16-Jun-2023 22:12

I've used several Synology NAS'es before. The cloud/remote management stuff is optional, you dont have to use it

neb

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#3090880 16-Jun-2023 22:57

Thanks to everyone who replied, 220j ordered from Amazon AU.

Tinkerisk

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#3090890 17-Jun-2023 05:17

neb: Does anyone know if those can be run with no cloud access, management, or anything else? Ideally the only access, and only requirement to use it, should be a web interface on the local LAN.

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kyhwana2

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#3090920 17-Jun-2023 10:54

+1 for Synology. If they're storing PII on it, make sure they create encrypted volumes and store the password for them somewhere secure.

You can boot it up and then enter the encryption password(s) via the web interface. (Which should NOT be exposed to the internet, if you need remote access look into tailscale or a similar VPN)