15 Cool Uses for a NAS

So you’ve bought and crammed a new Network Attached Storage (NAS) full of storage drives. After a few weeks, the novelty starts to wear off. Could that $1,000+ could have been better spent elsewhere? Don’t worry; there are many cool uses for a NAS besides storage!

However, be warned that there is a caveat here. What you can do with it may be limited by your own NAS model. Lower-end models aren’t as powerful, and you may be unable to achieve everything we have listed here.

If you aren’t sure about what your NAS is capable of, now’s the time to find out!

Table of Contents

1. Media Server
2. Live TV DVR Solution
3. Host Virtual Machines
4. Torrent Downloading
5. Download Manager
6. Password Management Database
7. Build a Smart Home Hub
8. Website Hosting
9. Personal Email Server
10. Virtual Private Network Hosting
11. Host a Minecraft Game Server
12. Build a Personal eBook Library
13. Set up DevOps Tools
14. Run a Network-Wide Ad-Blocker
15. Podcast Hosting & Editing
16. Final Thoughts

1. Media Server

Remember that your NAS is more than just dumb storage; it’s a mini-computer, which is why it has so many cool uses. You can even use it as a media server to stream your entire library of movies, music, and TV shows to any device.

Popular NAS-compatible apps let you create a user-friendly media library. You can set things up comprehensively to include everything from cover art to descriptions, making browsing and selecting content easy. 

Apps for Media Streaming and Management

• Plex: One of the most popular media server apps for NAS users. Plex automatically organizes your media into a beautiful digital library.
• Emby: Similar to Plex, Emby is another excellent choice. It gives more control over privacy settings and is easier to set up.
• Kodi: A flexible, open-source media player and management system. Kodi is highly customizable and perfect for those who want to avoid paid subscriptions.
• Jellyfin: My favorite, Jellyfin, is a no-cost Plex competitor that’s powerful and fast. 
• Airsonic: If music is your primary focus, Airsonic is an open-source media streamer designed mainly for managing and streaming audio files. 

2. Live TV DVR Solution

Using a NAS as a live TV DVR is efficient and convenient. One cool use for a NAS is configuring it with a TV tuner and DVR software. 

The tuner is the hardware that connects to your NAS, and it captures over-the-air broadcasts or cable channels. Once connected, the tuner works with DVR software installed on your NAS to record and save shows directly to the NAS storage.

This setup allows you to pause live TV, schedule recordings for future broadcasts, and manage your recordings. Plus, remember that your NAS storage is likely to be a lot larger than that of most set-top boxes.

Popular DVR Software Options

• Plex DVR: When combined with a compatible tuner, Plex allows you to watch, pause, and record live TV. 
• HDHomeRun DVR: A TV tuner that works with NAS devices to capture over-the-air or cable broadcasts. 
• Channels DVR: With automatic commercial skipping and the ability to watch live TV remotely, Channels DVR is a powerful and user-friendly choice. 

3. Host Virtual Machines

Hosting virtual machines (VMs) on a NAS allows you to run different systems in isolated environments. This is particularly useful for software testing, where you can create a safe space to run potentially risky applications without worrying about damaging your primary system.

For example, you can run several Linux distributions on your NAS, each VM operating independently. This is a great way to experience a new operating system, test software, run applications, and use the NAS as a sandbox environment.

I’ve used my NAS to run a lightweight Ubuntu deployment that allows me to test code quickly and conveniently. The command-line interface makes things lightweight and doesn’t consume much resource.

Virtualization Software to Try

• Virtualization Station: QNAP’s Virtualization Station comes with QNAP NAS devices. The web-based interface allows easy VM management from any device.
• Proxmox: One of the most popular enthusiast’s VM apps, Proxmox is perfect for tech-savvy users who want a free, highly customizable virtualization solution. 
• Docker: Containers in Docker are fast to deploy and easy on resources. You can quickly launch applications without needing a complete OS for each one.

Tip: Hosting VMs is one of the top cool uses for a NAS. You can do many things, and the sky is virtually the limit. Experiment and see for yourself!

4. Torrent Downloading

Using your NAS as a torrent downloading hub is one of the most practical and efficient ways to manage torrents without keeping your computer on 24/7. Just create a docker container to offer an isolated space for torrenting with the right torrent client.

On a side note, however, I avoid torrenting on my NAS since I prefer to avoid excessive wear and tear on the drives. Instead, I use a seedbox, and when the files are ready, I transfer them all to the NAS.

Remember that using a seedbox is more private and secure. It can torrent privately and securely, bypassing geo-blocks and avoiding ISP throttling. You can even set up a seedbox to stream media directly to your devices.

Recommended Torrent Clients for NAS

• Transmission: One of the most popular and lightweight torrent clients for NAS systems. It’s open-source, highly usable, and won’t hog system resources.
• qBittorrent: This program includes a built-in torrent search engine, advanced file and prioritization. qBittorrent is easy to use and effective. 
• Deluge: Powerful and feature-rich client that supports plugins. Deluge is excellent for users who want more control over their torrent downloads.

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5. Manage Passwords

You’d expect a password management service to be impregnable, but as we see from the case of the LastPass data breach, that isn’t always the case. Take things into your own hands by running a private password manager from your NAS!

Hosting this database on your NAS adds more privacy and security. Instead of trusting a third-party service to store and manage your passwords, you keep everything on your local network, accessible only by you and those you authorize.

In the past, I used LastPass, but that data breach incident and their poor handling of the matter led me to take things into my own hands with Bitwarden.

Apps to Run a Self-hosted Password Manager

• Bitwarden: One of the hottest open-source password managers around, Bitwarden offers end-to-end encryption. It also has mobile apps and browser extensions.
• KeePass: This open-source, fully offline solution offers AES-256 encryption for password storage and supports plugins for additional functionality.
• Passbolt: Designed for teams, Passbolt works perfectly for individuals as well. It allows for the secure storage and sharing of passwords.

6. Build a Smart Home Hub

From air conditioners and lights to security cameras and power plugs, many things today are connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) network. Using a NAS to control your smart home offers enhanced privacy, customization, and flexibility. 

I struggled with multiple smart home solutions for years before getting my NAS and dumping everything into one centralized solution. It helps with automated routines, device monitoring, and everything else. 

Smart Home Automation Software to Try

• HomeAssistant: Supports many smart devices and can be integrated with different ecosystems, such as Zigbee, Z-Wave, and WiFi.
• OpenHAB: Known for its flexibility and broad integration capabilities, OpenHAB can also be customized using an extensive range of plugins. 
• Domoticz: A lightweight yet powerful system designed for low-resource devices. It’s perfect if you’re already running multiple processes on your NAS.

7. Website Hosting

Many owners are curious about hosting a website on their NAS. And yes, it can be an exciting and cost-effective way to run a website without relying on expensive third-party hosting providers. However, remember that there are many caveats to self-hosting a site on your NAS.

While robust for file storage, NAS devices are not designed for high-traffic websites. If your site experiences significant traffic, you may encounter performance issues. This is also partly due to the lower capacity of most home internet connections.

Still, running a website hosting platform on your NAS can be fun. It’s also a good learning experience to teach you how many web hosts operate.

Setting Up a NAS for Website Hosting

Most NAS systems have tools or apps that make setting up a web server straightforward. Here’s a broad overview of how the process works:

• Step 1: Install Web Server Software
• Step 2: Set Up a Database
• Step 3: Install PHP
• Step 4: Set Up a Content Management System
• Step 5: Configure Remote Access
• Step 6: Domain Name Setup

Note: Be cautious about doing this at home and pay attention to security. Replicating this aspect of third-party web hosts at home is challenging, and you need sufficient technical skills. 

8. Personal Email Server

Running a personal email server on your NAS is a powerful way to gain complete control over your email communications, enhance privacy, and eliminate reliance on third-party email services like Gmail or Yahoo. At the very least, you’ll know that only you can access your data.

Running an email server on your NAS allows you to use a custom domain name. You can set up as many custom email addresses as you like, which is ideal for both personal use and small businesses. Most email providers charge extra for this.

Setting Up a Personal Email Server

Running an email server involves several components, including software to handle mail transfer (sending and receiving emails), mail storage, and webmail access. Here’s a general idea of how the process will go:

• Step 1: Install Email Server Software
• Step 2: Configure DNS Settings for Your Domain
• Step 3: Set Up SSL/TLS Encryption
• Step 4: Configure Webmail Access

NAS Email Hosting Software

• Mail-in-a-Box: Open-source email server software package that automates many complex parts of setting up and maintaining an email server. 
• Mailcow: Built for personal and small business use, MailCow has a simple-to-use web interface for managing your server.
• iRedMail: iRedMail supports custom domains, web-based administration, and strong security practices like SSL/TLS encryption and spam filtering. 

9. Download Manager

Turning your NAS into a dedicated download manager can significantly streamline your download management and organization. Since NAS devices are typically always on, they’re perfect for handling long or large downloads.

Many download managers allow you to schedule downloads for off-peak hours. This prevents your downloads from slowing down your internet during the day when other people in your household might be streaming, gaming, or working.

You can set up your NAS download manager to automatically grab files from specific sources. For example, if you follow certain podcasts, video series, or software updates, you can use RSS feeds to download new content automatically.

Recommended Download Manager Tools

• Synology Download Station: Supports automatic downloading from RSS feeds and torrent downloads. It can also prioritize tasks.
• QNAP Download Station: Similar to Synology, QNAP’s Download Station is an easy-to-use app that supports multiple download protocols, including BitTorrent and HTTP. 
• JDownloader: A free, open-source download manager that is highly customizable. JDownloader is ideal for users who download a lot from file hosting services.
• PyLoad: An excellent choice that uses minimal system resources. PyLoad is known for its simplicity and support for captchas, multi-part downloads, and premium accounts. 

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10. Host a Minecraft Game Server

Did I hear someone say Minecraft? Yes, you can sometimes use your NAS as a game server (especially if you have a high-end, powerful model). There’s even a specific Docker container called MineOS that’s used to deploy a Minecraft server.

It doesn’t end at Minecraft, though. You can choose from several engine-specific game setups, such as with Source Engine, which allows titles like Half-life and Counter-Strike. OK, maybe those are stretching it a bit, but the process will be fun.

Steps to Host a Minecraft Server on Your NAS

• Step 1: Check System Requirements
• Step 2: Install Docker (If Necessary)
• Step 3: Download the Minecraft Server Docker Image
• Step 4: Configure the Docker Container
• Step 5: Set Up Minecraft Server Configuration
• Step 6: Enable Port Forwarding

11. Build a Personal eBook Library

Whether you have a collection of eBooks in formats like EPUB, PDF, or MOBI, a NAS provides a perfect platform to organize and manage them in one place, with the added benefit of easy sharing and remote access.

For example, I use my NAS to store and organize my entire collection of Battletech novels, Commando comics, and more. However, you must find the perfect eBook management system for your needs.

Some recommendations include:

• Calibre-Web: Widely regarded as one of the best. It acts as a front-end for Calibre, allowing you to access and manage your eBook library from any device.
• Readarr: This is not for building the library, but Readarr helps you automate eBook downloads and management. 
• Ubooquity: Supports multiple eBook formats, including CBR and CBZ for comic books. Ubooquity also features user authentication for improved security.
• Komga: Primarily designed for comic books but also supports eBook formats. It integrates well with Open Publication Distribution System (OPDS) readers.

12. Set Up DevOps Tools

By leveraging your NAS as a DevOps hub, you can host repositories, automate testing, deploy applications, and manage containers—perfect for developers, teams, and enthusiasts looking to maintain complete control over their environment.

This cool use of a NAS turns it into a cost-effective, always-on solution for running critical DevOps applications. After all, how else will you have a centralized development environment that allows easy infrastructure management and customization for free?

Essential DevOps Tools to Run on Your NAS

• GitLab: Open-source Git repository manager that provides powerful CI/CD capabilities, allowing teams to collaborate on code, manage repositories, and automate testing.
• Jenkins: Open-source automation server for building, testing, and deploying code. It integrates with many DevOps tools and services, making it versatile.
• Docker: As mentioned earlier above, Docker is built for containerization. It’s convenient for running lightweight microservices on your NAS. 
• Ansible: Tool used for IT automation, configuration management, and orchestration. It’s widely used to automate repetitive tasks like deploying applications and configuring servers.
• Portainer: Lightweight management UI for Docker and Kubernetes that simplifies container management. Works well for Docker environment management. 

13. Run a Network-Wide Ad-Blocker

I’m sure everyone has heard that Chrome is doing its best to kill ad blockers. Well, why not run your own if you have a NAS? Using your NAS to run a network-wide ad-blocker puts everything squarely under your control, and to heck with Google.

Running a network-wide ad blocker on your NAS means you won’t need individual ad-blocking software on each device. It will block ads on anything connected to your network, including smartphones, computers, tablets, and even smart TVs.

Some Ad-Blocking Software to explore includes:

• Pi-hole: Highly effective, DNS-based ad-blocker that filters out ads and trackers across your entire network. I use this and highly recommend it.
• AdGuard Home: An alternative to Pi-hole that focuses on ease of use, AdGuard Home also provides detailed insights into blocked ads and trackers.

Note: FYI, These solutions won’t help you block YouTube ads. 

14. Virtual Private Network Hosting

Another highly-anticipated feature on most NAS systems is the ability to run a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This allows you to run encrypted connections to any website or web service from your devices.

However, it’s essential to understand that doing so doesn’t provide you with the excellent location-based coverage that most 3rd-party VPNs offer. That means you may not be able to bypass regional content blocks. For that, consider a proxy server instead.

Setting Up a VPN on Your NAS

• Step 1: Choose Your VPN Protocol
• Step 2: Install the VPN Server
• Step 3: Configure VPN Settings
• Step 4: Set Up Port Forwarding
• Step 5: Install a VPN Client

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15. Podcast Hosting & Editing

Another of the cool uses for a NAS is as a podcast hosting platform is a smart way to take control of your content and reduce dependency on third-party services. Additionally, you can use your NAS to edit audio and publish episodes with the right software.

Your NAS will need podcast hosting software to distribute your episodes and generate an RSS feed that podcast platforms (like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts) can read. 

Here are some recommended tools for podcast hosting on a NAS:

• Podcast Generator: This app allows you to create and manage a podcast RSS feed directly from your NAS. Its simple interface enhances usability.
• Jellyfin: Yup, it’s my favorite again. Jellyfin also lets you stream and share podcast episodes directly from your NAS.
• WordPress: Adding the Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin lets you turn WordPress into a powerful podcast hosting platform. 

16. Final Thoughts

With these 15 cool uses for a NAS, you can unlock its full potential. I also hope the presented ideas will help break the stereotype that a NAS is only suitable for business use. It is multi-capable and ideal for tech enthusiasts, professionals, and families.

Investing time exploring these diverse applications will ensure you get the most out of your NAS, transforming it into a critical asset that enhances your digital lifestyle and workflow. 

Now, with more to do with your NAS, go forth and experiment.