In the pursuit of efficient, compact, and low-power digital living solutions, a powerful single-board computer often unlocks limitless possibilities. Tomáš Burian, a tech enthusiast from the Czech Republic, built a 12-bay NAS using ZimaBoard 2, simultaneously implementing a TV server function, unleashing the all-around power of a small piece of hardware like a Swiss Army knife. Today, let's hear his building story and real-world experience.
Starting from Interest: Why Choose ZimaBoard 2?
Tomáš is a PLC/robotics programmer with a diverse technical background. He is passionate about IT, automation equipment construction, 3D printing, and other fields, and is also a seasoned player in smart home transformation—to "save time" and avoid repetitive work, he personally built an entire smart home automation system using Home Assistant. When choosing hardware, the ZimaBoard 2's design philosophy immediately resonated with him: "I've always wanted a device that combines the compact size of a Raspberry Pi with the performance of an Intel CPU, and the ZimaBoard 2's two SATA ports and a PCIe slot made my project selection incredibly simple."
Even more interestingly, the name ZimaBoard 2 has a clever twist—in Czech, "ZIMA" means "winter," and this cultural resonance further endeared Tomáš to the device. Ultimately, he purchased two ZimaBoard 2s: one to build a 12-bay NAS, and the other to function as a home TV server, maximizing the hardware's potential.
Hands-on Experience: 12-Bay NAS + TV Server - Effortless Setup
12-Bay NAS: A Stable and Efficient Storage Core
Tomáš chose the TrueNAS system for his NAS, a professional storage system renowned for its stability and scalability. Combined with the hardware performance of the ZimaBoard 2, it perfectly supports the large-capacity storage needs of 12 bays. For functional expansion, he also installed practical plugins such as Jellyfin (media server), qBitTorrent (download tool), Tailscale (remote access), and Nextcloud (private cloud synchronization), making this NAS not only a data storage center but also a core hub for home media sharing and remote work collaboration.
TV Server: A New Home Entertainment Experience
Another ZimaBoard 2 was transformed into a Proxmox virtualization platform, running a Windows 11 virtual machine. Paired with a DVB-T2 terrestrial television streaming device, it created a dedicated home TV server. It not only streams television programs in real time but also supports on-demand scheduled recording, allowing family members to catch up on missed content anytime.
Speaking of the setup process, Tomáš frankly stated, "It was 'completely unchallenging': 'All the setup was very simple, with absolutely no technical barriers.'" What surprised him even more was the device's low power consumption—even when the TV server was streaming network media (not in standby mode), the entire system with dual SSDs consumed only 8-10 watts, eliminating concerns about electricity bills even during long-term operation.
Ultimate Review: A Small Size, High Power – A "Hardware Swiss Army Knife"
"This device is amazing!" Tomáš praised lavishly when discussing his experience: "It has the compact size of a Raspberry Pi, yet it packs amazing performance. Its low power consumption and high versatility make it a true 'hardware Swiss Army knife.'" To date, both systems built with ZimaBoard 2 have been rock-solid, with no crashes whatsoever, truly achieving a worry-free experience of "no need to worry after deployment."
From a 12-bay NAS to a home TV server, the ZimaBoard 2, with its compact design, powerful expandability, and low power consumption, has become a powerful assistant for tech enthusiasts to realize their creative projects. It's not just a hardware product; it's a key to unlocking more possibilities in digital life. Whether it's the daily storage and entertainment needs of home users or the personalized project building of geek enthusiasts, the ZB2 can carry big dreams in a small package.
Item List:
- 1 x ZIMAboard 2 1664 (16GB RAM, 2 x 2.5Gbit LAN, N150 Intel CPU)
- 1 x PCIe SATA driver (PCIe 4.0, ASM1166 + JMB575)
- 1 x 300W PSU (U1A-C20300-D)
- 12 x 3.5" bay connectors from Aliexpress
- 2 x RJ45 cable extenders
- 1 x power connector for quick connect
- 4 x 14cm Noctua Fans (because reliability depends)
A Message for Future Users
If you're like me and want a device that's "effortless to tinker with, yet can handle everything"—whether it's setting up a home server, working on tech projects, or simply wanting to make digital life more convenient—the ZimaBoard 2 is for you. Absolutely worth buying. Its power exceeds expectations; a small size packs a powerful punch, and its low power consumption and stability are a boon for those who prefer a low-maintenance lifestyle.
More information:
https://www.reddit.com/r/minilab/comments/1q0zdk7/12_bay_nas_build_with_zima_2_board/
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