Introduction
Every home lab needs a reliable place to store data.
While compute resources such as virtual machines and containers get a lot of attention, storage is one of the most important parts of any infrastructure.
For Realm Labs, Synology NAS systems provide the storage foundation that supports everything else running in the environment.
From shared folders and backups to Docker volumes and project files, the NAS acts as the central storage platform for the lab.
Why Use a NAS?
A Network Attached Storage (NAS) device provides dedicated storage that can be accessed by multiple systems across the network.
The advantages include:
- Centralised storage
- Easier backups
- Data protection
- Network file sharing
- Reduced reliance on individual machines
Instead of every computer having isolated files and configurations, important data is stored centrally and managed properly.
The Synology Journey
Like many home labs, the setup has evolved over time.
Older hardware provided a starting point for learning, while newer systems have allowed the infrastructure to grow alongside the number of services being hosted.
The goal has always been the same:
Create reliable storage that supports experimentation while keeping important data protected.
Storage for the Home Lab
The NAS provides storage for many different parts of Realm Labs.
Examples include:
Shared Files
Central locations for documents, project files and resources.
Backups
Important systems and data can be backed up independently from the devices running them.
Docker Storage
Container applications often require persistent storage.
Keeping application data separate from containers means services can be rebuilt without losing configuration or data.
Network Shares
Services and devices can access required files over the network without duplication.
Integrating with Docker and Virtualisation
One of the biggest advantages of having centralised storage is flexibility.
Virtual machines, containers and other services can use the NAS as a reliable storage location.
This allows the lab to evolve without being tied to a single machine.
If hardware changes in the future, the data remains available.
NFS and Network Storage
For self-hosted environments, network storage protocols such as NFS provide a simple way for systems to access shared data.
This allows devices such as:
- Proxmox hosts
- Raspberry Pi systems
- Docker environments
to access storage across the network.
Backup Strategy
A home lab is only as good as its recovery plan.
Hardware can fail, configurations can break and experiments can go wrong.
A good backup approach helps protect against:
- Accidental changes
- Failed updates
- Hardware problems
- Data loss
The aim is not just to store data, but to be able to recover quickly.
Lessons Learned
The biggest lesson from running a NAS in a home lab is that storage planning matters.
It is easy to focus on new applications and hardware, but without reliable storage, everything else becomes fragile.
A well-organised storage system makes every future project easier.
Future Improvements
As Realm Labs continues to grow, future improvements include:
- Expanded storage capacity
- Improved backup automation
- Additional monitoring
- Better disaster recovery testing
- Further integration with virtualisation platforms
Conclusion
The Synology NAS has become one of the core building blocks of Realm Labs.
While it may not be the most visible part of the infrastructure, it quietly supports almost every other project running in the environment.
A strong foundation makes ambitious projects possible.