I use the Synology DS218+ along with two 4TB WD Red drives (which I got off craigslist for a steep discount -- the seller even let me run diagnostics on them for me and they were very lightly used).

I don't have to pay for the software. If you stick with the Synology OS it comes with they have a package manager with things like various media servers, Cloud Station, a download client, etc. You can also just shell into it and install your own stuff.

You can get NAS disk stations with more capacity (more drive bays), but this was all I needed.

You can even run docker on 218+. I'll maybe try to get one to replace my current Synology at some point :-)

If you don't mind building it yourself and are happy doing the OS config/setup, I recomend buying one of these chassis' and going the DIY route.

http://u-nas.com/cases.html

I've got 2x 8 bay NAS now (onsite and offsite) for my data. One at home and another at a friends for DR.

Running ProxMox for the hypervisor w/ ZFS and running either native Docker images or LVM's on ProxMox for all of my services. I went down the route of using ProxMox because I want to be able to build my on k8's cluster on my own hardware.

Now if you've not got much experience with ZFS, it's very easy to get your head around but you need to get your head around the basics.

The documentation in the link below is enough to get you started on ProxMox. The documentation below is some of the best I've ever read.

https://forum.level1techs.com/t/how-to-create-a-nas-using-zf...

If you want to go down the route of something a bit more off the shelf for your OS. I wouldn't use anything else but UnRaid. It's got cheap licensing but it's so fucking easy to use and has an awesome UI.

Not GP, but considering he said “Cloud Station” I assume he’s using a Synology NAS which is a ready-to-go product (just add drives).

Personally I have a 2U Dell R520 I run FreeNAS on which cost me as much as one of synology’s systems with a lot more capability. But I also have a 24U rack in my office and use it to provide storage for my hypervisors in addition to Plex, general SMB shares, etc. so I have use cases that are a little more complicated than even the average HN user from their home network.

I ran FreeNas many moons ago, I ripped it out after the FreeNas 10 nightmare. Sounds like it's been pretty unstable ever since and now run ProxMox.

How've you found FreeNas recently? Or are you still running the FreeNas 9?

I never upgraded to FreeNAS 10, it was a significant departure and it was pretty clear ixSystems had made a fumble and was going to end up needing to redirect the ship. Once 11.1 came out and it was clear they learned not to throw baby out with the bathwater I upgraded and have been quite happy with the train since, though I’m glad the “new” dashboard is still optional because it needs some love yet.