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Create Your Own Personal Cloud Storage

Replace Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive — with full control and privacy.

The Problem

Public cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive offer convenience, but they come with significant trade-offs:

  • Limited control: You don’t own your data — providers can access, scan, or share it under certain conditions.
  • Privacy concerns: Data is stored on third-party servers, often in undisclosed locations.
  • Vendor lock-in: Migrating data between platforms is cumbersome and sometimes impossible.
  • No customization: You can't modify features, integrate with other tools, or tailor the experience.

By setting up your own cloud storage, you regain full ownership of your data, ensure privacy, and gain complete control over access, sharing, and infrastructure.

The Solution

Self-hosted cloud storage gives you the freedom to store, manage, and share files on your own terms. Whether you're an individual managing personal documents or a small team collaborating securely, self-hosting eliminates reliance on external providers.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through setting up Sync-In, a lightweight, secure, and easy-to-deploy open-source cloud storage solution. It’s ideal for personal use or small teams and integrates seamlessly with Citadel Hosts’ Watchtower Territory infrastructure.

Video Tutorial

💡 Pro Tip: Watch the video for a visual walkthrough of each step.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

1. Choose Your Cloud Storage Platform

While several open-source options exist, we recommend Sync-In for this tutorial due to its:

  • Minimal resource footprint
  • Clean, intuitive UI
  • Fast deployment via Citadel Hosts
  • Strong security model with end-to-end encryption (optional)
  • Built-in file sharing and access controls

Other popular alternatives:

  • Nextcloud: Feature-rich with calendar, contacts, video conferencing, and collaboration tools. Best for larger teams.
  • Seafile: Optimized for performance and large-scale file handling; supports virtual file systems and selective syncing.

2. Access the App Library

Log in to your Citadel Hosts dashboard and navigate to the Apps section in the sidebar.

👉 Go to the App Library

You’ll see a list of pre-configured applications ready to deploy.

3. Deploy Sync-In

  1. Search for Sync-In in the App Library.
  2. Click on the application.
  3. Select the Watchtower Territory where you want to host your cloud storage.
  4. Configure the following environment variables:
    • INIT_ADMIN_LOGIN: Set a unique username (e.g., admin).
    • INIT_ADMIN_PASSWORD: Set a strong, secure password (e.g., MySecurePass!2025).
    • (Optional) DOMAIN — if you plan to use a custom domain later.

⚠️ Security Note: Never use default credentials. Use a password manager to generate and store your credentials securely.

Sync-In Configuration Screenshot

4. Create a Storage Volume

To store your files, you’ll need dedicated storage. Sync-In requires a persistent volume to save user data.

  1. Go to the Storage section in your dashboard sidebar.
  2. Click Create Storage Volume.
  3. Fill in the details:
    • Size: Start with 500 GB (adjust based on your needs).
    • Storage Type:
      • HDD: Cost-effective, suitable for most personal use.
      • SSD: Faster performance, better for frequent access or large files.
    • Region: Choose the same region as your Watchtower Territory for optimal latency.
  4. Click Create Volume.

Create Storage Form Screenshot

5. Attach Storage to Sync-In

Now, link your storage volume to your Sync-In instance.

  1. Go to the App Details page for your Sync-In deployment.
  2. Scroll down to the Storage section.
  3. Click the Mount Storage icon.
  4. Select the storage volume you just created.
  5. Mount it to the data volume path (this is the default expected directory for Sync-In’s file storage).

✅ Ensure the mount point is set to data — this is critical for Sync-In to function correctly.

6. Start Your Cloud Storage

Once the volume is attached:

  1. Click Start to launch your Sync-In instance.
  2. Wait a few moments for the application to initialize.

Your unique access URL will appear at the top of the App Details page.

👉 Example: https://syncin-abc123.citadelhosts.com

🛡️ Security Reminder: Share this link only with trusted individuals. You can also enable two-factor authentication (2FA) in the app settings once logged in.

Access and Use Your Cloud Storage

  1. Open the access link in your browser.
  2. Log in using the admin credentials you set earlier.
  3. Create folders, upload files, and invite others via share links.
  4. Use the web interface or install the Sync-In client for desktop/mobile to sync files automatically.

Advanced Tips & Best Practices

  • Backups: Schedule regular backups of your storage volume to prevent data loss.
  • Monitoring: Use Citadel Hosts’ dashboard to monitor storage usage and performance.
  • Custom Domain: Once ready, point a custom domain (e.g., cloud.yourname.com) to your instance via DNS.

Conclusion

With just a few clicks, you’ve replaced third-party cloud storage with a private, secure, and fully customizable solution. You now control your data, your privacy, and your digital footprint.

Whether you're backing up photos, collaborating with friends, or managing team files, your own cloud storage is fast, reliable, and entirely under your control.