I Replaced My Synology NAS with a Custom-Built Proxmox Server
After years of relying on my Synology NAS primarily for storing images and media files for Plex, I realized it was no longer meeting my evolving needs. Originally, the NAS wasn’t intended to become a home lab, but over time it transformed into one until it struggled to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and failed at most of them.
Building a custom server has always been part of my plan for home lab experimentation, and now is the right moment to make the switch. The NAS will revert to its original purpose: storing archival files, while the new server will take on the heavy workloads.
"It's time to reclaim control of my data."
Why the Change Was Necessary
Although certain missteps by Synology prompted a quicker decision, the need for a more capable setup had been growing for some time. My home lab requirements exceeded what my Synology NAS and mini PC could provide.
- The mini PC is limited to 12GB of non-upgradeable RAM.
- The Synology NAS enclosure supports up to 64GB of RAM, but I cannot use a GPU for workload acceleration.
- Drive bay capacity has been exhausted.
Hardware and Disclosure
SilverStone, Asus, and Kingston provided hardware used in building my server. None of these companies had input on the content or previewed the article before publication.
"None of the companies saw the copy before publication or had any input into the content."
Looking Ahead
With the new server running Proxmox, I expect far greater flexibility and power for my home lab experiments, while the NAS continues to securely store my archive.
Summary: Upgrading from a Synology NAS to a custom Proxmox server was a necessary step to meet growing home lab demands and improve data management and workload handling.
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