Nextcloud is a file hosting service, many applications can be installed to offer it new features such as a calendar, a directory, notes and many others (you can find some applications in the[third-party applications] part (#AppsTiers) but there are many others depending on your needs).
## Discovering the Nextcloud environment <a name="EnvironmentNextcloud"></a>
Due to the creation of Nextcloud, a database with third-party applications to install, this chapter will only concern the nextcloud database without added applications. More information on applications in the dedicated section or in the nextcloud application catalogue: [apps.nextcloud.com](https://apps.nextcloud.com).
Nextcloud is before a cloud service (like Seafile and others), it allows synchronization and file sharing on the Internet and between several terminals (computers, smartphone) but also with several people.
## Mobile and computer client software <a name="ClientSoftware"></a>
There are client software for all platforms. You can find them on the official nextcloud website: https://nextcloud.com/install/#install-clients
**Note**: The following assumes that you have a hard disk mounted on `/media/storage`. Refer to[this article](/external_storage_en) to prepare your system.
**Note**: Replace `nextcloud` with the name of its instance, if you have several Nextcloud apps installed.
The `i` option allows you to ask yourself what to do if there is a file conflict, especially if you overwrite an old Owncloud or Nextcloud data folder.
If you use Cloudflare for your DNS, *which may be useful if you have a dynamic IP*, you will most likely have authentication problems with the Nextcloud application. On the Internet many people propose to create a rule that disables all options related to security and Cloudflare speed for the url pointing to your Nextcloud instance. Although it works, it is not the optimal solution. I propose, certainly to create a rule for the url pointing to your Nextcloud instance but to disable only 2 options. So here's how: