Server NAS Setup and Configuration

Project Overview I am seeking an experienced Self-Hosted Infrastructure Engineer / Systems Architect to design, deploy, optimize, secure, automate, and fully document a complete quality home cloud environment centered around my UGREEN DXP4800 Pro NAS. I am looking for someone who can architect a complete, scalable, secure, self-hosted infrastructure that rhas commercial cloud services while remaining easy to manage, highly automated, well documented, and expandable for years to come. The finished system should function as my own private cloud, media server, backup server, document management system, photo management platform, and download automation server. I am looking for someone who thinks like a Systems Architect—not simply someone who installs applications. ⸻ Existing Hardware NAS * UGREEN DXP4800 Pro * Intel Core i3-1315U * 24 GB DDR5 RAM (8 GB OEM + 16 GB Upgrade) Storage * 1 × 10 TB WD Red Plus HDD * 1 × 12 TB WD Red Plus HDD * 2 × 2 TB Acer Predator GM7000 NVMe SSDs * Approximately 500 GB of one NVMe SSD is currently configured as SSD cache (this can be redesigned if a better storage architecture is recommended). Network * Verizon FiOS 2 Gbps Symmetrical Fiber * Remote access required * Multiple remote users expected Client Devices * 2019 MacBook Pro (Primary Workstation) * iPhones * Future Windows PCs * Future tablets * Multiple family/user accounts ⸻ Primary Objectives I want a turnkey solution that is: * Fast * Secure * Well documented * Highly automated * Easy to maintain * Expandable for future storage and users * Optimized for long-term reliability I am looking for someone who will not only install applications but also make recommendations, explain design decisions, and build a solution that follows industry best practices. ⸻ Storage Architecture Design the optimal storage layout including: * RAID recommendations * SSD cache vs. dedicated SSD storage optimization * Docker storage placement * Shared folders * User folders * Backup strategy * Future drive expansion planning * Disaster recovery planning Because my drives are different sizes (10 TB and 12 TB), I would like recommendations on whether to: * Keep the existing configuration * Replace one or both drives * Purchase matching drives * Delay upgrades until future expansion Please explain the pros and cons of each recommendation. ⸻ Docker Environment Install and configure Docker using industry best practices. Preferred management: * Portainer The Docker environment should include: * Persistent storage * Proper networking * Health monitoring * Restart policies * Backup strategy * Organized folder structure * Documentation * Easy future expansion ⸻ Media Server Install and configure: * Plex Requirements: * Hardware transcoding * Automatic library updates * Metadata optimization * Remote streaming * Performance optimization * Folder structure optimized for automation ⸻ Download Automation Deploy and configure: * qBittorrent and/or SABnzbd * Sonarr * Radarr * Prowlarr * Bazarr Configure: * Folder mappings * Automatic imports * Automatic renaming * Cleanup * Failed download handling * Quality profiles * Performance optimization ⸻ Document Management Install and configure: * Paperless-ngx Requirements: * OCR * Automatic document sorting * Scanner watch folders * Search optimization * Folder monitoring * Metadata extraction * Long-term document organization ⸻ Photo Management Install and configure: * Immich Requirements: * Automatic phone backup * Facial recognition * Smart search * Automatic albums * Shared family albums * Separate libraries for multiple users * Duplicate detection * Automatic organization ⸻ Personal Cloud Install and configure: * Nextcloud Requirements: * File synchronization * Mobile apps * User permissions * External access * Secure file sharing ⸻ Networking & Remote Access Configure secure remote access including: * WireGuard VPN * Nginx Proxy Manager * Reverse Proxy * SSL Certificates * Dynamic DNS (if required) * Secure external access * Security best practices ⸻ Security Configure and harden the environment including: * Firewall * Docker security * User permissions * HTTPS * Automatic updates where appropriate * Backup verification * Security recommendations ⸻ Monitoring & Management Install and configure: * Portainer * Homepage or Homarr dashboard * Storage monitoring * SMART drive monitoring * Email alerts * Performance monitoring * Health monitoring I would like a single dashboard where I can monitor and access all services. ⸻ Multi-User Support The environment should support multiple users with: * Private photo libraries * Private document libraries * Shared folders * User permissions * Secure remote access * Independent automatic phone backups ⸻ Backup Strategy Design a comprehensive backup solution including: * Mac backups * Windows backups (future) * Phone backups * NAS backups * Off-site backup recommendations * Recovery procedures * Backup verification ⸻ Documentation Provide complete documentation including: * Network diagram * Storage layout * Folder structure * Docker architecture * Backup strategy * Disaster recovery procedures * Update procedures * User management guide * Password and credential inventory * Instructions for adding future applications * Maintenance checklist ⸻ Deliverables By project completion I expect: * Fully configured NAS * Production-ready Docker environment * Secure remote access * Automated media management * Automated photo organization * Automated document organization * Automated backups * Health monitoring * Dashboard for all services * Complete documentation * Remote walkthrough * Recommendations for future improvements ⸻ Preferred Experience Please provide examples of projects involving: * UGREEN NAS * Synology * TrueNAS * Unraid * Docker * Linux * Plex * Paperless-ngx * Immich * Nextcloud * WireGuard * Nginx Proxy Manager * Reverse proxies * Home server infrastructure