Realtime synchronization increases Node.js and database activity.
Busy collaborative workspaces.Wymagania sprzętowe Etherpad: pamięć RAM, procesor, pamięć masowa i wdrożenie
Zaplanuj sprzęt dla Etherpad pod kątem pamięci RAM, CPU, Node.js, bazy danych, użytkowników pracujących w czasie rzeczywistym i Dockera, wraz z bezpośrednimi wskazówkami dotyczącymi wdrożenia w sklepie z aplikacjami ZimaOS.
Etherpad requirements at a glance
Etherpad 3.1.0 is a realtime collaborative editor. Upstream publishes no numerical whole-host CPU/RAM minimum; the current ZimaOS package lists 256 MB minimum memory.
- Upstream RAM minimum
- No numerical whole-host RAM minimum published.
- ZimaOS package memory
- Current official ZimaOS listing: 256 MB minimum memory.
- Node.js
- Etherpad 3.x requires Node.js 24 or newer for non-container installs.
- Database
- DirtyDB is the default fallback, but the Docker configuration explicitly recommends choosing a real supported database instead.
- Port
- The official Docker image exposes Etherpad on port 9001.
- Best Zima starting point
- ZimaBoard 2 832 is ample for small and medium collaborative use; use a real SQL database for durable production data.
From official requirements to the right setup
Size Etherpad from the real workload and deployment topology rather than generic server assumptions.
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Official requirements
Install Etherpad directly from the official ZimaOS App Store.
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Confirm your needs
For production, choose a supported database instead of relying on the DirtyDB fallback.
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Leave room to grow
Estimate simultaneous editors, active pads and plugin count because realtime collaboration and plugins drive CPU/RAM beyond idle usage.
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Run it on ZimaOS
Persist database/application data and expose port 9001 behind HTTPS or a reverse proxy.
Check every playback client
- 256 MB package memory
- Node.js 24+
- Database backend
- Concurrent editors
- Active pads
- Plugin count
- Port 9001
- Backup retention
Official minimum requirements
Etherpad upstream documents Node.js, Docker and database configuration but no numerical host-hardware minimum; ZimaOS provides package-level minimum memory.
Use 256 MB only as current ZimaOS package metadata. Realtime concurrency, database choice and plugins determine actual production resource needs.
| Requirement | Official minimum | What this supports |
|---|---|---|
| Upstream host RAM minimum | No numerical minimum published | Depends on realtime users and plugins. |
| ZimaOS package minimum memory | 256 MB | Current public App Store metadata. |
| Node.js | 24+ | Etherpad 3.x non-container requirement. |
| Web port | 9001 | Current official Docker image. |
| Database fallback | DirtyDB | Official Docker config says to choose a real DB instead. |
| Official image | etherpad/etherpad | Published on Docker Hub and GHCR. |
When to upgrade your hardware
Scale Etherpad when these workload signals appear.
Many users edit the same pads
Plugins add server work
Pad history grows
Import/export, authentication and plugin ecosystems can raise memory and CPU needs.
Customized Etherpad deployments.Long-running collaboration increases database size and backup time.
Persistent team knowledge bases.Plan hardware growth with confidence
Scale Etherpad only where the workload justifies additional resources.
Use a real database for production
This matters more than adding raw compute to the default DirtyDB setup.
Use SSD-backed PostgreSQL/MySQL/SQLite as appropriate.Use ZimaBoard 2 832 for normal teams
8 GB is far above the current package memory value.
ZimaBoard 2 832.Use 16 GB for many plugins or co-hosted apps
Extra RAM helps the wider Node/database stack.
ZimaBoard 2 1664.Use stronger CPU only for large realtime workloads
High concurrent editing and plugin work can justify more CPU.
ZimaCube 2 Pro.Can it run on ZimaOS?
Etherpad deployment on ZimaOS should follow the verified route below.
Install Etherpad from the ZimaOS App Store
Install the current Etherpad package directly from ZimaOS; for production, replace the DirtyDB fallback with a supported database and persist it.
Install Etherpad from the ZimaOS App Store ↗Review Etherpad upstream deployment
Use upstream documentation to understand ports, persistence and feature-specific requirements.
Review Etherpad Docker docs ↗Keep persistent data outside disposable containers
Map configuration, database or uploaded-file paths to durable ZimaOS storage where the app uses persistent state.
Review ZimaOS download and app platform ↗Choose Zima hardware for Etherpad
Etherpad is lightweight at small scale, but realtime concurrency and database history determine growth.
Which Etherpad workload are you running?
Small/medium collaborative editing
Use ZimaBoard 2 832 with a real database.
- Best starting pointZimaBoard 2 832
Heavy realtime use / many plugins
Add RAM and CPU headroom.
- More memoryZimaBoard 2 1664
- Higher-processing headroomZimaCube 2 Pro
The ZimaOS 256 MB package value is not an upstream production sizing guarantee.
| Zima hardware | Best for | Example workload | Core configuration | Recommended boundary | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZimaBoard 2 832 | Small and medium Etherpad teams. | Etherpad, SQL database and normal collaborative editing. |
|
Use a durable database rather than default DirtyDB for production. | Get Now |
| ZimaBoard 2 1664 | Plugin-heavy or multi-app collaboration servers. | More database/cache and co-hosted services. |
|
N150 CPU can still limit very high realtime concurrency. | Get Now |
| ZimaCube 2 Pro | Larger realtime collaboration workloads. | More editors, plugins and broader service consolidation. |
|
Actual capacity depends on pad activity and plugin behavior. | 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
Loved by the Community
Stories and reviews from people who build with Zima every day.
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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 Etherpad RAM, CPU, storage and ZimaOS deployment.
How much RAM does Etherpad need?
Upstream does not publish a numerical whole-host minimum; the current ZimaOS package lists 256 MB minimum memory.
Which Node.js version does Etherpad 3.x require?
Current Etherpad 3.x requires Node.js 24 or newer for non-container installs.
Which port does Etherpad use?
Port 9001.
Which database should Etherpad use?
The Docker config falls back to DirtyDB if none is configured, but explicitly recommends choosing a supported database instead.
Does Etherpad need a GPU?
No.
Can ZimaBoard 2 run Etherpad?
Yes. The 8 GB model is ample for normal collaborative use.
What makes Etherpad need more hardware?
More simultaneous editors, active pads, plugins and database history.
Is Etherpad in the ZimaOS App Store?
Yes. A public official ZimaOS App Store page is available.
What sources informed this Etherpad hardware guide?
Current Etherpad ZimaOS listing, official Docker docs and release documentation plus Zima product pages.
