Nextcloud — what is it: capabilities and features of a personal cloud
What is Nextcloud, the benefits of organizing a personal cloud, its capabilities
Nextcloud is a platform for creating personal and corporate clouds, with which you can store, share, and synchronize files over the Internet. It can be installed on both a dedicated and a virtual server without the need to use third-party cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox, which must be paid for separately. The general capabilities of the Nextcloud cloud are much broader. The technology can be used to integrate with mobile applications, create quick links for data transmission, administer corporate calendars, mail, chats, and conferences. At the same time, the platform has open source code and is free to use.
How Nextcloud works: personal cloud principles
Nextcloud is based on a standard client-server structure, meaning the general look is as follows:
- There is a server part of the platform, which is installed on your own server or VPS. It stores files, a database, and environment settings.
- There is a client part —These are applications for various operating systems (Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Linux), you can also use a web interface with remote access.
Data is synchronized between devices in real time. The user can set up file sharing, create groups, distribute access rights, edit documents online. It is also possible to integrate Nextcloud with other services, such as OnlyOffice, Collabora or Google Calendar. There are many usage options, it all depends on the tasks that users face.
Nextcloud Key Features for Users and Businesses
Nextcloud, for ordinary users, can be used for storage, file synchronization, online access to photos, documents, convenient integration with mobile applications. Of course, you can use other services like Google Drive, Dropbox, but a personal cloud based on Nextcloud will be cheaper and more stable, even if it requires server rental from the hosting provider.
Platform application options for business:
- collaborative work on documents;
- managing access to the cloud among users, distributing access rights;
- use of built-in chat, video conferencing for discussions of corporate tasks;
- mail, tasks, contacts, calendars — all in one convenient environment;
- integration with LDAP, Active Directory, SSO.
Talking about the features of Nextcloud, it should be noted that the platform has a modular structure. Through the marketplace, you can install extensions that improve functionality: add analytics, the ability to use data backup, integrate work with other popular services, etc. All this is configured through the panel in just a few clicks.
Data security and control in Nextcloud
One of the main advantages of Nextcloud personal cloud storage is full control over your data. The user decides where the required files will be stored: on a local server or on a VPS in a data center.
The platform security system provides:
- data encryption during transmission of all files;
- using two-factor authentication, you can also configure the use of hardware keys;
- full monitoring of user activity;
- automatic audit logs, which is useful for corporate environments.
That is, Nextcloud is suitable as a file management platform even for organizations that work with confidential data that requires protection from unauthorized reading.
Comparing Nextcloud to other cloud services
Nextcloud benefits from its flexibility, open source, and complete privacy control. However, it requires some technical system administration skills to install and configure.
| Characteristic | Nextcloud | Google Drive | Dropbox | OneDrive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data control | Full | None | None | Partially |
| Privacy | Maximum | Google Analytics is used | All data is stored only on the service's servers | Microsoft integration is used |
| Cost | Free, but requires hosting or a dedicated server | Free up to a certain amount | Free 2 gigabytes | Free 5 gigabytes |
| Scaling | Huge opportunities | Very limited | Average | Average |
| Is it suitable for business? | Yes | Only with Google Workspace | No | Yes, through Microsoft 365 |
Nextcloud has an advantage in all criteria, so the platform is preferred by both commercial companies and ordinary users.
How to install and configure Nextcloud on your own server
Nextcloud can be installed on a Linux server or VPS using SSH access. Additional components include a web server, PHP, and a database module (MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL). Next, you need to:
- download Nexcloud from the official website;
- unpack the downloaded archive into the web server directory;
- open the web interface and go through the step-by-step setup wizard.
All that remains is to install an SSL certificate and configure security. After that, the personal cloud can be used for its intended purpose. On other systems, the client part of the platform is installed, through which authorization to your environment is performed.
Nextcloud is a multifunctional tool for organizing a personal or corporate cloud. It is suitable for both ordinary users and businesses. In an era when digital data is becoming the most valuable resource, Nextcloud provides an alternative to centralized cloud storage.
In our company XServer you can rent a server that will be used for the operation and administration of this platform. The user can choose the exact technical specifications of the machine, the size of the storage. All this is configured through a convenient panel, the access speed will always be high, because our data centers are located in many countries of the world. Our advantages: uptime from 99.9%, flexible tariffs, many additional services, such as data backup, migration to another server or domain, etc. Do you have any questions or do you need an extended consultation? Contact our specialists by any of the available methods, they will be happy to help you.