Which would be better?
from Lumisal@lemmy.world to selfhosted@lemmy.world on 07 Oct 11:07
https://lemmy.world/post/37012473

I’m looking to set up a little home server for media, home assistant/matter support, and file storage/access.

I’m considering either:

GMKtec NucBox G9

Or

Zima Board 2 1664

I want something that’s easy to use. Zima seems ready to plug and go almost, which is the huge plus, but the huge down side for me is cost - not only does it cost more, but I’d have to pay an additional 25.5% VAT on top to ship to Finland.

The GMKtec comes with Ubuntu at least (I’ll be deleting Win11), but I don’t know how Linux support for it is outside of Ubuntu. I’d prefer something easier to run like CasaOS or Yunohost (not sure which is more beginner friendly). Also don’t know if those run Waydroid, since I’m pretty sure Ubuntu does (want to use S-tube on TV).

What do y’all recommend?

#selfhosted

threaded - newest

slazer2au@lemmy.world on 07 Oct 12:45 next collapse

Other Linux OS shouldn’t be an issue with the N150 chipset.

I would go with the GMK. More expandable.

tux0r@feddit.org on 07 Oct 12:51 collapse

Neither should most contemporary Unices.

Shimitar@downonthestreet.eu on 07 Oct 14:32 next collapse

The GMK seems more configurable and cheaper overall.

Beside this, there is no real difference as far as Linux support, I think.

Lumisal@lemmy.world on 07 Oct 18:33 next collapse

Thanks everyone! Seems like the consensus is the GMK. I’ll try CasaOS on it then. If anyone here has experience with it though, do I need an extra peripheral for ZigBee/Matter support, like this one?

B0rax@feddit.org on 08 Oct 08:17 collapse

Matter is not really big yet.

For zigbee adapters, take a look here: www.zigbee2mqtt.io/guide/adapters/

Lumisal@lemmy.world on 08 Oct 08:24 collapse

Is the Sky Connect I linked not good compared to those other ones? It supposedly connects with ZigBee, Matter, and Thread

zorflieg@lemmy.world on 08 Oct 11:10 collapse

Looks a little pricey but probably would work fine. I bought my first zstack based Texas for $25. Worked fine for a couple of years till I realized it had a limit on how many devices it could handle. so I upgraded it to the next model up for another $25. That’s when I found out if you change methods you have to re adopt everything. But if I kept it on the same method (zstack Texas zha) all I did was swap the dongle and everything kept rolling just with a higher limit of devices.

Lumisal@lemmy.world on 08 Oct 11:14 collapse

Yeah, I found a much cheaper alternative that ships from Europe for only 35€.

I’m getting conflicting information on Home Connect about the Sky Connect (now named some weird letter/number combo) that says it supports both matter/thread and ZigBee, but also actually it’s experimental so not really and it works for some but not others, but also support for matter/thread is coming in November…

Mostly I’m looking to make the server work with Ikea stuff plus a couple of lights/led strips that are sold locally that use Matter (Wiz lights I think?)

B0rax@feddit.org on 08 Oct 11:44 collapse

Matter itself is just the protocol, not the wireless standard. There are lots of matter over WiFi devices, for those you don’t need this additional adapter, as they will connect to your WiFi router.

Thread is a wireless standard which is almost like zigbee, that is why there are some adapters that support both.

But thread border routers are also a thing in lots of devices. For example if you have an Apple TV, this can be used as a gateway with home assistant without additional hardware.

HiTekRedNek@lemmy.world on 08 Oct 14:22 collapse

The Linux kernel isn’t really much different between any distribution of Linux.

If it works on one, it works on the rest, in like 99% of cases.

The only real exception to that is custom distributions built specifically for a particular device or subset of devices.

In other words, for embedded devices, like phones, routers, TVs and such.

And those aren’t going to be running Ubuntu.