Data & storage
Start with a NAS that supports your real storage needs.
A NAS is a great beginner home lab project when it solves a real problem, like media storage, backups, or private file sharing.
What a strong beginner setup looks like
- Choose a NAS case that supports expansion
- Use mirrored storage for important data
- Keep a separate backup target outside the primary array
- Document your drive layout and replacement plan
For beginners, a 2-bay or 4-bay unit is often the best balance of cost, expandability, and manageable complexity. That gives enough room for redundancy without turning the system into a full-time storage project.
A mid-level example: Ubiquiti UNAS Pro
The UNAS Pro is a rack-mount network storage appliance for a homelab that has outgrown a small desktop NAS. It has seven 3.5-inch drive bays, a 1 GbE RJ45 port, and a 10 GbE SFP+ port, giving you room to grow storage and faster-network options as your setup expands.
What it is good at
Central file shares, a growing media library, and consolidating backups from several computers or home lab systems.
Who it suits
People with a rack, multiple users or devices, and enough data to benefit from several drives and a managed storage appliance.
What to plan for
Budget for compatible drives, a rack and power, and network equipment that can use the faster link. Choose a drive layout for your capacity and redundancy needs before loading it with data.
The UNAS Pro is focused on storage rather than general-purpose computing, so pair it with a separate server if you want to run virtual machines or apps. Redundancy helps keep storage available when a drive fails, but it is not a backup; keep another copy of important data on a separate device or off site.
Browse the NAS hardware directory for this and other options.
When to get a NAS
Use a NAS if...
you want a central place for media, backups, shared files, or private cloud storage.
Skip it if...
you only need a single server for a few lightweight services and have no storage-heavy use case.