Larger teams create more reads, writes and audit history.
Growing organizations.Requisiti hardware di Passbolt: RAM, CPU, database e spazio di archiviazione
Pianifica l'hardware per Passbolt usando i requisiti ufficiali di base: 2 core, 2 GB di RAM e 20 GB, oltre alle indicazioni per database, SMTP, NTP e distribuzione su ZimaOS.
Passbolt requirements at a glance
Passbolt has a concrete upstream baseline and a small database-backed application footprint.
- CPU minimum
- Official recommendation: 2 CPU cores.
- RAM minimum
- Official recommendation: 2 GB RAM.
- Storage minimum
- Official recommendation: 20 GB.
- Network
- Official recommendation: 10 Mbps connectivity plus internet access.
- Database and services
- MariaDB is the default database; PostgreSQL is also supported for fresh installations. SMTP and working NTP are required for the Docker path.
- Best Zima starting point
- ZimaBoard 2 832 comfortably exceeds Passbolt's published CPU/RAM baseline and is the sensible starting point.
From official requirements to the right setup
Start with Passbolt's published VM baseline, then add durable database storage and mail/time services.
-
Official requirements
Reserve at least 2 CPU cores, 2 GB RAM, 20 GB storage and 10 Mbps network connectivity.
-
Confirm your needs
Choose the database. Docker ships with MariaDB by default; PostgreSQL is supported for fresh installations when configured explicitly.
-
Leave room to grow
Provide a working SMTP service for email notifications and reliable NTP, because clock drift can cause GPG authentication issues.
-
Run it on ZimaOS
On ZimaOS, use Install Custom App with Passbolt's official Docker Compose path, persist database and Passbolt data, and place the service behind HTTPS.
Check every playback client
- 2+ CPU cores
- 2 GB+ RAM
- 20 GB+ persistent storage
- MariaDB or PostgreSQL
- SMTP service
- NTP service
- HTTPS/domain
- Backup retention
Official minimum requirements
Passbolt publishes explicit minimum VM specifications.
The 2-core/2-GB/20-GB/10-Mbps values are the official baseline. Database, backups and other ZimaOS services still need additional headroom.
| Requirement | Official minimum | What this supports |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 2 cores | Official minimum VM recommendation. |
| RAM | 2 GB | Official minimum VM recommendation. |
| Storage | 20 GB | Official minimum VM recommendation. |
| Network | 10 Mbps | Official minimum VM recommendation. |
| Internet | Required | Current server requirement. |
| Docker prerequisites | Docker, SMTP and NTP | Current official Docker guidance. |
When to upgrade your hardware
Passbolt should scale when users, database history or co-hosted services outgrow the baseline.
More users and secrets increase database activity
Database and backups consume more storage
The host runs many other services
Persistent database data and retained backups can outgrow the 20 GB baseline.
Long-retention installations.Passbolt may remain light while the overall ZimaOS server consumes CPU and RAM.
All-in-one home or office servers.Plan hardware growth with confidence
Scale Passbolt around database durability and whole-host headroom.
Use SSD-backed database storage
Fast durable storage improves MariaDB/PostgreSQL responsiveness and backups.
Use SATA/NVMe with ZimaBoard 2.Keep normal deployments on ZimaBoard 2 832
8 GB RAM and four cores are comfortably above Passbolt's official baseline.
ZimaBoard 2 832.Use 16 GB for a broader security/productivity stack
Extra RAM benefits the database and other self-hosted apps.
ZimaBoard 2 1664.Use ZimaCube only when broader storage duties justify it
Passbolt itself does not need a six-bay NAS.
ZimaCube 2 Standard.Can it run on ZimaOS?
No public official ZimaOS one-click Passbolt App Store page was verified for this guide. Passbolt can be deployed through Install Custom App using its official Docker Compose files.
Custom install Passbolt in ZimaOS
Use Install Custom App with Passbolt's official Compose stack, persist application/database data, and configure SMTP, NTP and HTTPS.
Custom install Passbolt in the ZimaOS app ↗Use Passbolt's official Docker deployment
Passbolt provides official CE and Pro Docker Compose files and recommends Docker Compose for the stack.
Review Passbolt Docker installation ↗Follow the official server baseline
Current requirements recommend 2 cores, 2 GB RAM, 20 GB storage and 10 Mbps connectivity.
Review Passbolt requirements ↗Choose Zima hardware for Passbolt
Passbolt fits comfortably on ZimaBoard 2; database reliability matters more than high-end compute.
Is Passbolt mostly standalone or part of a larger self-hosted stack?
Standalone or small team
Use ZimaBoard 2 832 with SSD-backed database storage.
- Best starting pointZimaBoard 2 832
Many additional services on the same host
Add RAM for the overall server stack.
- More host headroomZimaBoard 2 1664
- Broader storage platformZimaCube 2 Standard
These are practical recommendations, not official user-count guarantees.
| Zima hardware | Best for | Example workload | Core configuration | Recommended boundary | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZimaBoard 2 832 | Normal Passbolt deployments. | Passbolt, MariaDB/PostgreSQL, SMTP integration and backups. |
|
Add durable SSD-backed database storage. | Get Now |
| ZimaBoard 2 1664 | Passbolt on a busy multi-app server. | Larger database cache plus many co-hosted services. |
|
16 GB is whole-host headroom, not a Passbolt requirement. | Get Now |
| ZimaCube 2 Standard | Passbolt as one service on a broader NAS. | Passbolt plus unrelated backup/storage workloads. |
|
Choose it for broader storage duties, not Passbolt compute. | Get Now |
What the Press Says
Highlights from trusted reviewers worldwide.
“ZimaCube 2: Not just another NAS, tested with 25TB storage, local AI agents, 4K transcoding, and real homelab workflows.”Read full review
“The ZimaBoard 2 is a compact x86 server board that can be turned into a mini NAS, home server, media box, or self-hosting hub.”Read full review
“ZimaCube 2: A modern, high-performance NAS with plenty of room to grow—built for users who want more than basic storage.”Read full review
“Coverage focused on ZimaCube 2's open hardware foundation, no monthly fee, and self-hosting flexibility.”Read full review
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Stories and reviews from people who build with Zima every day.
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Zima Blade Little yet Powerful
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I use ZimaCube Pro as 5th Proxmox cluster node. It runs several VMs and containers, including a VM with GPU passthrough to run a self-hosted LLM. A specific LXC container runs a Samba server for NAS capabilities using four of six RAID 6 SATA HDDs with ZFS.
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Avaliação ZimaBoard 2
Construí um servidor de uso pessoal. O desempenho está muito bom e funciona perfeitamente onde quer que eu esteja. A surpresa é não dependermos de grandes estruturas para termos nosso próprio servidor de dados. Como iniciante, estou gostando bastante do ZimaOS, pois ele é simples e eficiente.
Frequently asked questions
These answers cover Passbolt RAM, CPU, storage, database, Docker and ZimaOS deployment.
How much RAM does Passbolt need?
Passbolt officially recommends at least 2 GB RAM for the server VM.
How many CPU cores does Passbolt need?
The official minimum VM recommendation is 2 CPU cores.
How much storage does Passbolt need?
The official baseline is 20 GB, with more space needed for database growth and backups.
Which database does Passbolt use?
MariaDB is the default database, and PostgreSQL is supported for fresh installations.
Does Passbolt Docker need SMTP and NTP?
Yes. SMTP is used for notifications and working NTP helps prevent GPG authentication problems caused by clock drift.
Does Passbolt need a GPU?
No dedicated GPU is required.
Can ZimaBoard 2 run Passbolt?
Yes. The 8 GB model comfortably exceeds Passbolt's official 2-core and 2-GB baseline.
When should I choose larger Zima hardware?
When other services, backups or database growth—not Passbolt alone—justify more RAM or storage.
What sources informed this Passbolt hardware guide?
Current Passbolt server, Docker and database documentation plus current Zima product pages.
