FileRun Hardware Requirements: RAM, CPU, Storage & PHP File Management
Plan FileRun hardware for PHP, MySQL/MariaDB, previews, full-text indexing, large files, storage, and practical ZimaOS deployment recommendations.
FileRun hardware requirements at a glance
Size FileRun from verified upstream requirements first, then add headroom for workload and persistent data.
- RAM
- No numerical whole-host RAM minimum published
- CPU
- No numerical official CPU minimum published
- Storage
- File library + DB + previews/thumbnails + search index + backups
- PHP
- PHP 8.3, 8.4, or 8.5 currently supported
- Database
- MySQL or MariaDB
- Best Zima starting point
- ZimaBoard 2 832 for a small library; ZimaCube for large storage
From official requirements to the right setup
Start with current upstream facts for FileRun, then size the real workload rather than copying generic container or app-store labels.
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Official requirements
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Confirm your needs
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Leave room to grow
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Run it on ZimaOS
Check every playback client
- File count/size
- Concurrent users
- PHP workers
- Thumbnail/preview generation
- FFmpeg use
- Full-text search
- MySQL size
- Backup retention
Official minimum requirements
FileRun publishes detailed PHP/database requirements but does not publish a numerical whole-host CPU or RAM minimum.
Do not infer host RAM from PHP configuration. Optional preview/indexing tools such as ImageMagick, FFmpeg, Tika, and Elasticsearch can materially change resource use.
| Requirement | Official minimum | What this supports |
|---|---|---|
| No numerical minimum published | Preview/index workloads determine CPU. | |
| No numerical whole-host minimum published | PHP workers/DB/search determine memory. | |
| PHP 8.3, 8.4, or 8.5 | 8.4/8.5 preferred. | |
| Required | Version depends on PHP branch. | |
| MySQL/MariaDB | PDO MySQL required. | |
| Needed for files larger than 4 GB | Applies to large-file handling. | |
| Not required | No GPU baseline. |
When to upgrade your hardware
Preview/indexing pressure
File-library growth
Search memory pressure
Plan hardware growth with confidence
SSD database/cache
Keep MySQL and active cache/previews on SSD.
SSD/NVMeMore RAM
Useful for more PHP workers and optional search.
ZimaBoard 2 1664Large file library
Use multi-bay storage for user files/backups.
ZimaCube 2 StandardStronger CPU
Useful for thumbnail/video/full-text processing.
ZimaCube 2 ProCan it run on ZimaOS?
Custom install FileRun in ZimaOS
No specific public ZimaOS FileRun per-app page was verified, so use Custom Install.
Custom install FileRun in the ZimaOS app โMeet current PHP/ionCube requirements
Use supported PHP 8.3โ8.5 and matching ionCube Loader.
Open FileRun PHP requirements โSize optional preview/search tools separately
FFmpeg, ImageMagick, Tika, and Elasticsearch add CPU/RAM/storage demand.
Open FileRun requirements โZima hardware for FileRun
FileRun itself can be modest; user-file capacity and optional preview/full-text processing are the primary scaling drivers.
Choose by workload
Use ZimaBoard 2 832 with files on SATA storage.
Storage capacity, CPU, and RAM become more important.
Zima sizing does not turn PHP runtime settings into whole-host minima.
| Zima hardware | Best for | Example workload | Core configuration | Recommended boundary | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZimaBoard 2 832 | Light self-hosted services and small databases | Single-app or small multi-app workloads |
|
8 GB RAM can limit larger CRM, mail, database, or platform stacks | Get Now |
| ZimaBoard 2 1664 | Memory-heavier self-hosted services | Moderate multi-container and database workloads |
|
CPU remains the 4-core N150, so heavy build/search/CRM workloads can still be CPU-limited | Get Now |
| ZimaCube 2 Standard | Storage-heavy file, mail, attachment, and archive workloads | Large persistent data sets |
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8 GB RAM is less suitable for memory-heavy multi-service stacks | Get Now |
| ZimaCube 2 Pro | CPU-heavier, database-heavy, and higher-concurrency services | Larger CRM/helpdesk/mail/platform workloads |
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16 GB RAM can still be low for large enterprise stacks | Get Now |
What the Press Says
Highlights from trusted reviewers worldwide.
โZimaCube 2: Not just another NAS, tested with 25TB storage, local AI agents, 4K transcoding, and real homelab workflows.โRead full review
โThe ZimaBoard 2 is a compact x86 server board that can be turned into a mini NAS, home server, media box, or self-hosting hub.โRead full review
โZimaCube 2: A modern, high-performance NAS with plenty of room to growโbuilt for users who want more than basic storage.โRead full review
โCoverage focused on ZimaCube 2's open hardware foundation, no monthly fee, and self-hosting flexibility.โRead full review
Loved by the Community
Stories and reviews from people who build with Zima every day.
Zima Blade Little yet Powerful
Maybe I am not digital natives but I live with PCs since 12 years old in 1984 when IBM PC clone come to my home. Many years have passed and many operating system I've tried. For me Zima blade and CasaOS was a quantum leap for home PC enthusiast and server lab machine to make me stay curious and relevant for this era.
Very good!!
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.
Great innovation for mini server!
It is very useful and makes a powerful mini server for many purposes, including university and college students in engineering and electronics. Thank you so much for making this server.
Avaliaรงรฃo ZimaBoard 2
Construรญ um servidor de uso pessoal. O desempenho estรก muito bom e funciona perfeitamente onde quer que eu esteja. A surpresa รฉ nรฃo dependermos de grandes estruturas para termos nosso prรณprio servidor de dados. Como iniciante, estou gostando bastante do ZimaOS, pois ele รฉ simples e eficiente.
Frequently asked questions
How much RAM does FileRun need?
FileRun does not publish a numerical whole-host RAM minimum.
Which PHP versions are currently supported?
PHP 8.3, 8.4, and 8.5.
Is ionCube required?
Yes.
Which database does FileRun use?
MySQL or MariaDB.
When is a 64-bit system required?
For handling files larger than 4 GB.
Can ZimaBoard 2 832 run FileRun?
Yes for a small deployment with file data on attached storage.
Does FileRun need a GPU?
No.
What makes FileRun heavier?
Large libraries, previews, video thumbnails, and optional full-text indexing.
