Separating the Home Lab from the NAS Boosts Backup Reliability

Introduction: The Rise of the Home Lab

For over a year now, I have combined my personal computer lab and my NAS into a single mini PC. This setup let me explore the basics of self‑hosting while reusing outdated hardware. I was satisfied with the performance, but simplicity always had its limits.

Why Separating the Hardware Is Essential

By consolidating Proxmox, TrueNAS and all my applications on one mini PC, every component became dependent on the same single point of failure. If the host server failed, access to the TrueNAS VM was lost, along with all embedded services.

Impact on Availability

Physical separation dramatically reduces the risk of total downtime. A hardware issue now affects only one subsystem, while the other remains operational.

Increased Reliability Through Dedicated Architecture

Moving to a dedicated NAS transformed my perception of reliability. The mini PC reserved for application servers keeps its resources for critical tasks, while the NAS handles storage and redundancy exclusively.

Proxmox isolated on Server 1
TrueNAS + applications on Server 2

Physical Redundancy

My old mini PC had only one HDD bay, meaning no RAID. With the new Synology enclosure that has four bays, I was able to configure a RAID‑5 to protect my critical data.

Redundant Storage: A Confidence Boost

The ability to add multiple drives not only allows easy expansion but also enables local backup strategies. Essential data is now protected even if one drive fails.

Hybrid Backup Strategies

By combining local RAID with cloud backups, I have an additional layer of security. The NAS manages automatic snapshots and syncs to a third‑party cloud service.

Configuring the Synology NAS: Key Steps

Installing a Synology was straightforward thanks to its intuitive interface. I set up RAID‑5, enabled DSM, then deployed TrueNAS as a VM via Proxmox on a separate server.

“Separating the hardware is the first step toward resilient infrastructure.”

Resource Management

With two distinct servers, I can allocate CPU and RAM resources optimally to each task without compromising overall performance.

Conclusion: Take Action Today

If you still have your home lab and NAS integrated into a single device, it’s time to consider separation. You’ll gain reliability, redundancy, and peace of mind.