Introduction

In today’s digital age, having a reliable home server can be incredibly beneficial. Whether it’s for storing personal photos, videos, or streaming content, a home server like Unraid offers a flexible and powerful solution. Remarkably, you don’t need to spend a fortune to build one. Here’s how I transformed discarded computer parts from a skip into a fully functioning Unraid server, eventually enhancing it with new components for optimal performance.

Step 1: Salvaging and Initial Setup

I started by rummaging through a skip to find usable computer parts. Here’s what I managed to salvage:

• A motherboard with an Intel i5 processor
• 8GB of RAM
• A power supply unit (PSU)
• A couple of old hard drives with a total of 2TB storage

With these components, I assembled the initial server. After cleaning and testing each part, I installed the Unraid OS on a USB drive and booted it up. Unraid’s intuitive setup made it easy to configure the basic settings and get the server operational.

Step 2: Expanding Storage and Upgrading Components

The initial setup worked well, but I needed more storage and better cooling. I decided to invest in:

• A new case for better airflow and component management
• An additional 12TB hard drive for ample storage
• High-quality fans to prevent overheating
• An SSD for cache to improve performance
• Installation and Configuration

After installing the new components, I reconfigured the server. The new case provided better airflow, significantly improving system stability. The 12TB hard drive expanded my storage capacity, while the SSD cache sped up read and write operations.

Step 3: Setting Up Plex and VPN

With the hardware in place, I moved on to software. I installed Plex Media Server on the Unraid OS to manage and stream my media collection. Plex’s easy-to-use interface made it simple to organize photos and videos.

To ensure secure remote access, I set up a VPN. This allows external devices to connect to my server securely, protecting my data from potential threats. Using OpenVPN, I configured the VPN settings and routed all external access through it.

Synchronizing and Streaming Media

With everything set up, I began syncing my media collection. Unraid’s robust capabilities allowed seamless synchronization of images and videos. Plex made it easy to stream this content to various devices, providing a smooth viewing experience.

Conclusion

Building an Unraid server from salvaged parts not only saved money but also provided a rewarding project. With the addition of new components like the 12TB hard drive, SSD, and fans, the server now performs optimally, offering a reliable solution for media storage and streaming.