Build Your Own Private Cloud Storage with Docker and Nextcloud

This article shows how to use Docker to set up your own private cloud storage.

Open source cloud options

owncloud

sealife

nextcloud

The options were evaluated based on being open‑source and free, client support, plugin extensibility, and deployment difficulty (preferably Docker).

Nextcloud was chosen as the preferred solution.

Install Docker

# Install Docker via yum
sudo yum -y install docker
# Start Docker
sudo systemctl start docker
# Enable Docker to start on boot
sudo systemctl enable docker

Configure Docker

docker run -d -p 8080:80 nextcloud

After the container starts, access http://<host_ip>:8080 in a browser to set the administrator username and password.

Free file access

You can upload files using the desktop client or by dragging and dropping them into the web interface.

Share files with friends

Files can be shared via generated links directly from the web interface.

Sync via WebDAV

Obtain the WebDAV address from the settings and mount it on macOS or other clients.

For unstable network conditions, the transmit tool supports WebDAV and ensures reliable synchronization.

Connect phone

Install the Nextcloud mobile app, log in with the administrator credentials, and you can view and upload files from your phone.

Explore plugins

Click the gear icon in the top‑right corner of the web UI to install additional plugins.

Summary

With increasing concerns about privacy, building a private cloud drive is valuable. Nextcloud offers a free, open‑source platform with file sharing, WebDAV sync, and extensible plugins, and Docker makes deployment straightforward for anyone willing to experiment.