📋 Requirements

This page lists everything needed to build the Private Cloud Storage server — the physical hardware and the software stack it will run 🧰. All parts pictured below are already acquired.

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Parts for this build were made possible with support from Brunel Cybersecurity Society 🎓 and the CyberTutor Platform 💻🔐.

📦 Parts Overview

💰 Total cost: approximately £115

🛠️ Hardware Components

Component	Role
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B — 2GB RAM	Main server (runs the OS and Docker stack)
Raspberry Pi Metal Case	Physical protection + passive heat dissipation
GeeekPi Extreme Cooling Fan Kit for Raspberry Pi 4	Active cooling under sustained load
Raspberry Pi USB-C Power Supply	Stable, rated power delivery to the Pi
Philips 16GB Class 10 Micro SD Card	Boots the operating system
Samsung 860 EVO 500GB 2.5" SATA SSD	Main cloud storage volume (holds all Nextcloud data)
ORICO 2.5" USB-C SATA SSD Enclosure	Connects the SSD to the Pi over USB

📝 Hardware Notes

• The Micro SD card is used only to boot the OS — all Nextcloud data lives on the external SSD, not the SD card, to avoid SD card wear and its slower, less reliable I/O.
• The SSD enclosure connects via USB, so throughput is bound by the Pi 4's USB 3.0 bus rather than true SATA speeds — acceptable for a home/personal-scale deployment.
• Active cooling (fan kit) matters because the Pi will run Docker, a database, and a cache continuously — sustained load raises thermal throttling risk on passive cooling alone.
• 2GB RAM is on the lower end for Nextcloud + MariaDB + Redis running together; this is a known constraint to watch during deployment and tuning (covered later in Nextcloud Deployment).

🐧 Operating System

• Raspberry Pi OS Lite 64-bit — a lightweight, headless (no desktop GUI) 64-bit build of Raspberry Pi OS. 64-bit is required for good Docker compatibility and performance; "Lite" avoids wasting RAM on a desktop environment that isn't needed for a headless server.

🐳 Container & Infrastructure Platform

• Docker Engine — container runtime that will run Nextcloud, MariaDB, and Redis as isolated, reproducible containers.
• Docker Compose — defines and manages the multi-container stack (Nextcloud + database + cache) as a single, version-controlled configuration file.

☁️ Cloud Storage Platform — Nextcloud

Nextcloud is the self-hosted private cloud platform this project is built around. Planned features to enable:

• Nextcloud Web Interface — browser-based access to files
• Nextcloud Mobile Application Sync — automatic sync from phone/tablet
• File sharing system — shareable links and permissions for files/folders
• User account management — accounts and access control for different users
• Calendar and contacts services — CalDAV/CardDAV sync alongside file storage

🗄️ Database & Performance Layer

• MariaDB — the relational database backing Nextcloud (file metadata, users, shares, app data). Chosen over the default SQLite for better performance and reliability under concurrent access.
• Redis — in-memory cache used for file locking and performance optimisation, reducing database load and preventing file-locking issues during sync.

✅ Software Prerequisites Checklist

• [ ] Raspberry Pi OS Lite 64-bit image downloaded and flashed to the Micro SD card
• [ ] SSH access enabled and tested on first boot
• [ ] Static IP (or DHCP reservation) assigned to the Pi on the local network
• [ ] SSD formatted, mounted, and set to auto-mount on boot
• [ ] Docker Engine and Docker Compose installed
• [ ] docker-compose.yml drafted for the Nextcloud + MariaDB + Redis stack
• [ ] Domain name / Dynamic DNS decided (if remote access is planned)

🚀 Next step

Parts are confirmed and ready to go — the Installation section covers flashing the OS, first boot, and preparing the SSD for storage.