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Nextcloud

Nextcloud is an open-source alternative to Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud. You can sync files, manage calendars and contacts, and much more - all on your own server.

Installation

Add the following template to your docker-compose.yml and then run ei23 dc.

Change Passwords!

Change all passwords (password_placeholder, password1_placeholder) before starting!

Network Required

Add the Nextcloud network to the docker-compose.yml.

Template

  nextcloud:
    image: nextcloud
    container_name: nextcloud
    ports:
      - "8080:80"
    volumes:
      - ./volumes/nextcloud/html:/var/www/html
    restart: unless-stopped
    depends_on: 
      - nextcloud_db
    links:
      - nextcloud_db
    networks:
      - default
      - nextcloud
    environment:
      - MYSQL_HOST=nextcloud_db
      - MYSQL_PASSWORD=password1_placeholder
      - MYSQL_DATABASE=nextcloud
      - MYSQL_USER=nextcloud
      - TRUSTED_PROXIES=172.18.0.0/16
      # - OVERWRITEPROTOCOL=https
      # - OVERWRITEHOST=example.com
    logging:
      options:
        max-size: "5m"
        max-file: "3"

  nextcloud_db:
    image: yobasystems/alpine-mariadb:10.4.17
    container_name: nextcloud_db
    volumes:
      - ./volumes/nextcloud/db:/var/lib/mysql
    environment:
      - MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=password_placeholder
      - MYSQL_DATABASE=nextcloud
      - MYSQL_USER=nextcloud
      - MYSQL_PASSWORD=password1_placeholder
    restart: unless-stopped
    networks:
      - nextcloud
    logging:
      options:
        max-size: "5m"
        max-file: "3"

Add Network

Add this network to your docker-compose.yml (e.g., under networks:):

  nextcloud:
    driver: bridge
    internal: true

First Start

  1. After startup, you can access Nextcloud at http://[IP]:8080
  2. Create an admin account
  3. Wait for the installation to complete

Use Reverse Proxy

For HTTPS, use Traefik or Nginx Proxy Manager.

With Traefik

Uncomment and adjust the labels in the template:

labels:
  - traefik.enable=true
  - traefik.http.routers.nextcloud.rule=Host(`nextcloud.yourdomain.com`)
  - traefik.http.routers.nextcloud.entrypoints=web-secured
  - traefik.http.routers.nextcloud.tls=true
  - traefik.http.routers.nextcloud.tls.certresolver=letsEncrypt
  - traefik.http.middlewares.nextcloud.headers.stsSeconds=15552000

Environment Variables for HTTPS

environment:
  - OVERWRITEPROTOCOL=https
  - OVERWRITEHOST=nextcloud.yourdomain.com

Clients

Desktop Sync (Windows/macOS/Linux)

  1. Install the Nextcloud Desktop Client
  2. Enter the server URL: http://[IP]:8080 or https://nextcloud.yourdomain.com
  3. Log in
  4. Select the folders to sync

Mobile App (Android/iOS)

  1. Install the Nextcloud app:
  2. Android
  3. iOS
  4. Enter the server URL
  5. Log in

Apps & Extensions

Nextcloud can be extended through apps:

App Description
Calendar Calendar with CalDAV sync
Contacts Contacts with CardDAV sync
Deck Project management (Kanban)
Notes Notes
Talk Video calls and chat
Files PDF Viewer PDF preview
Preview Generator Pre-generate thumbnails

Install Apps

  1. Click on your profile in the top right
  2. Go to Apps
  3. Search for and install the desired app

Sync Calendar & Contacts

Nextcloud offers CalDAV and CardDAV for synchronization:

Android (with DAVx⁵)

  1. Install DAVx⁵
  2. Add an account → Login with URL and username
  3. URL: http://[IP]:8080/remote.php/dav
  4. Sync calendars and contacts

iOS

  1. Go to Settings → Calendar → Accounts
  2. Other Account → CalDAV Account
  3. Server: [IP]:8080
  4. Enter your credentials

Backup & Restore

Backup

# Backup data
cd ~/ei23-docker/
docker compose exec -u www-data nextcloud php occ maintenance:mode --on
sudo tar -czf nextcloud_backup.tar.gz volumes/nextcloud/
docker compose exec -u www-data nextcloud php occ maintenance:mode --off

Restore

# Restore data
docker compose stop nextcloud
sudo rm -rf volumes/nextcloud/
sudo tar -xzf nextcloud_backup.tar.gz
docker compose start nextcloud

OCC Command Line

Nextcloud has a useful CLI tool:

# General
docker compose exec -u www-data nextcloud php occ [command]

# Example: Upgrade after update
docker compose exec -u www-data nextcloud php occ upgrade

# Example: Scan files
docker compose exec -u www-data nextcloud php occ files:scan --all

# Example: Maintenance mode
docker compose exec -u www-data nextcloud php occ maintenance:mode --on/off

Performance Tips

Enable Caching

Add to config.php (under volumes/nextcloud/html/config/):

'memcache.local' => '\OC\Memcache\APCu',
'memcache.distributed' => '\OC\Memcache\Redis',
'memcache.locking' => '\OC\Memcache\Redis',
'redis' => [
  'host' => 'redis',
  'port' => 6379,
],

Preview Generator

For faster thumbnails:

docker compose exec -u www-data nextcloud php occ preview:generate-all

Notes

  • Data is stored in ./volumes/nextcloud/
  • The MariaDB database runs as a separate container
  • Regular database backups are essential!
  • Nextcloud can consume a lot of RAM - at least 2GB recommended

Further Information