In the world of digital makers, limits are often not the end but the starting point of creativity. When NEJM began planning his home lab, he faced a classic engineering challenge: how to achieve maximum storage capacity within the smallest possible space?
As a healthcare professional by day and a hobbyist maker in his spare time, NEJM has almost no formal technical training. Yet, this never hindered his passion for โcontinuous learning.โ He closely followed content related to PCBs and servers, and when ZimaBoard 2 emerged during its crowdfunding campaign, an idea began to take shape: โWith a little research, I could create something interesting.โ
| โOnce the kickstarter was completed, I realised that I could do something interesting with a little research." |
A List of Requirements, a Precise Choice
- NEJM's build began with a clear set of requirements:
- Must accommodate 4โ6 hard drives
- Must fit within a 1U height, 10-inch depth (only 260mm) rack
- Computer and drives must power on/off synchronously
- x86 architecture
- No custom PCBs or soldering
Each requirement on this list is not isolated but rather forms an integrated application scenario. It was under such clear guidance that ZimaBoard 2 demonstrated its valueโprecisely meeting every item on the list.
| โI currently have 2x ZimaBoard 2โs, one in my custom NAS build and one waiting for another fun project where I need some capable compute. Setup and testing were painless, it was ready to go out of the box and handled being flashed to a new OS with no issues.โ |
Hardware Selection: Why ZimaBoard 2 1664?
Before starting the actual build, facing a clear list of requirements, choosing the right computing core was the first crucial step in determining the project's success. NEJM did not rush the decision. Instead, adhering to a maker's rigorous spirit, he conducted a detailed evaluation of compact platforms on the market that met the x86 architecture criteria.
He primarily considered three distinctive hardware solutions, each representing different design philosophies and trade-offs. The table below clearly presents the core comparisons and decision logic of this selection process.
This evaluation was not a simple screening of pros and cons but rather a precise alignment between project requirements and hardware characteristics. While ZimaBoard 2 did not score the highest in every category, all its strengths directly addressed the projectโs critical needsโstability, ease of expansion, and low power consumptionโwhile its only drawback (size) proved irrelevant within the given 260mm rack space. Thus, it naturally evolved from a โpossible optionโ to the โoptimal solution.โ
Yet the real challenge remained: how to maximize the utility of this device within such a constrained space?
Engineering Breakthrough: Three Ingenious Design Solutions
1. Elegant Storage Expansion Solution
Under the 260mm depth limitation, standard drive cages are often too long. NEJM ultimately chose an ICYDOCK 6-bay 2.5-inch drive cage with a depth of only 146mm and populated it entirely with SSDsโthis not only saved space but also significantly reduced power consumption and thermal demands.
Through a clever conversion chain:
- M.2 NVMe to PCIe x4 adapter
- PCIe flexible riser cable
- ASM1166-based 6-port SATA expansion card
He expanded the single M.2 interface of the ZimaBoard 2 into six full SATA ports, perfectly solving the storage connectivity challenge.
2. Innovation in Power Architecture
Space constraints ruled out the use of a standard ATX power supply. NEJM devised an innovative dual-rail synchronization solution:
- ZimaBoard 2 Power: Directly supplied via its 12V DC input
- Drive Cage Power: Supplied through a PicoPSU DC-ATX module
- Synchronization Mechanism: An ADD2PSU module, triggered by the ZimaBoardโs SATA power interface
| This keeps rails separate electrically but linked logically. |
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3. Precision Adaptation via 3D Printing
Using PETG material and a BambuLab A1 3D printer, NEJM produced a fully customized 1U enclosure. The use of heat-set inserts provided industrial-grade fastening strength, while the meticulously designed internal structure ensured maximum component density within the minimal space.
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Software & Performance: A Consistently Stable Experience
The system ultimately runs TrueNAS Scaleโan enterprise-grade storage operating system. NEJMโs configuration is straightforward:
- RAID-Z1 array for data redundancy
- Dual 2.5GbE network interfaces
- Complete monitoring and snapshot functionality
| When it came to bringing my idea to life, the ZB2 was by far the easiest part of the equation. Its included IO made it very easy to connect to other devices with no issues, it powered on and was ready to go immediately, and setup was painless. |
The performance metrics speak for themselves:
- Idle Temperature: Stable around 40ยฐC
- Idle Power Consumption: Only 15โ20W
- Full Load Power Consumption: No more than 55W
- Weeks of continuous operation without issues
Yet his final recommendation might best capture the value of ZimaBoard 2:
| If you want an SBC that has all the IO necessary to support you in an interestingproject, this is it |
Looking Ahead: The Future of ZimaBoard 2 in Professional Applications
This project reveals the unique positioning of ZimaBoard 2 in professional application scenariosโit is powerful enough to run enterprise-grade software, yet flexible enough to adapt to non-standard deployment environments. This balance is particularly crucial for scenarios requiring reliable storage deployment at the edge.
As NEJM plans to gradually upgrade the test 256GB SSDs to higher-capacity 4โ8TB models, the potential of this system will be further unlocked. Meanwhile, the other ZimaBoard 2, awaiting its next project, hints at even more innovative possibilities in the making.
For more detailed insights, visit: https://maraudersmag.com/nas-build/
Conclusion:Redefining the Possible
Building a 6-bay NAS within a 1U, 10-inch space once sounded like an impossible task. Yet, through precise component selection, ingenious engineering, and a clear understanding of the right tools, NEJM not only achieved this goal but did so with elegance and reliability.
ZimaBoard 2 played a pivotal role in this processโit was more than just a computing core; it served as a bridge connecting ideas to reality. Its value lies not only in what it is but in what it enables people to create.
Whatโs on your list of requirements? Itโs time to turn them into reality.
Explore more possibilities with ZimaBoard 2 and start your own precision build journey.
