Exclusively using the Starr apps and finally looking to switch to Unraid. Advice needed (Use-Case Described)

I'm currently looking for a better solution to run my 24/7 media server from (it's currently on Win11) I need a more reliable OS...and with my use case Unraid seems like a perfect fit. However...

I use the Starr apps exclusively and Plex. I have four 18tb HDDs on NTFS @ about 50% capacity each and external backup (which are all also unfortunately on NTFS partitions).

I keep hearing about "Unraid Shares" and I was wondering what I should do to setup Unraid just for myself with access to my core applications (The Starr apps and Plex) which I am currently using in Windows (but wish to use on Unraid) I have no real need for remote access.

My daily programs I rely on are:

Sonarr, Prowlarr, Recyclarr, SABnzbd, NordVPN, Qbitorrent and Plex Media Server is the entirety of the programs I use on a daily basis. And a web browser and email client and that's it. That's literally all I use on my PC. No games, etc.

I've been hesitant to take the plunge due to not knowing exactly how to setup my Unraid server so it's protected from the web and setting up (shares if necessary) correctly and using paths that make sense. I am especially concerned about having my server wide open to the internet.

I have no need (at this time) to access my server from outside my Local network (I am disabled and almost always home)

I do however have great interest in migrating to Unraid from Windows 11. I do have more 18tb hard drives to setup a single/dual parity @ 18tb in size and am very serious about doing the switch. I have a spare 1TB NVMe for cache. My PC tower can hold many HDDs as my storage needs grow. I just need a little help on initial steps on the Unraid side of things and learning things to avoid (beginner mistakes). 

I have a lot of somewhat outdated experience with PC hardware (retired PC tech) but little to no experience with Linux itself. Any help is appreciated. I'm looking forward to getting up and running. 

Not sure if my HW is fully compatible with Unraid:

MSI z790a Intel Motherboard

Intel i5 13500 CPU w/ onboard graphics

32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5/5600

1TB NVMe X 2

18tb Seagate Exos X 4

LSI 9207-8i HBA (IT Flashed)

P.S. Knowing how to setup Unraid with the four drives as data drives in Unraid and getting my data over to Unraid from NTFS disks is my main objective. I will start with one parity drive of equal size and one 1tb NVMe SSD for cache. Is this sufficient?

Must I always boot from USB thumb drive? Also, what filesystem is optimal for Unraid..Is it advisable to start out with ZFS or go another route for better support/compatibility?

Learning the proper way to setup the programs listed above (Starr apps) is my main use-case. I am very familiar with Sonarr, from Windows it's the shares and docker images that have me a bit confused. There are so many different videos and articles online that some have very conflicting opinions on proper setup.

Since I intend on using the Unraid Server to only use the Starr apps and as my Plex server for myself only on just my own home network will this make configuration a bit easier for a beginner like me? It all comes down to me being able to continue to run the Starr apps, it's literally all I do in my retirement. But hey, there are worse habits to have.

  My top goal is protecting my data and having a reliable 24/7 Unraid Server and getting away from Windows to do so.

The Unraid Server will be my daily driver as it's my only system besides my aging notebook. I built this system to eventually switch to Unraid I imagine things would be much easier if I would have started with Unraid. But here we are. Any other tips/info are greatly appreciated! Thanks for reading.

Edited July 27, 20232 yr by pcxdrone
title change, additional info