It takes care of the essentials, and in my experience handled Docker well–once I’d been shown how to custom-install apps, that is. The CasaOS Web interface (shown above), while not having a true window system (there are dialogs), nonetheless impressed me. (There’s a lot of configurations options–shown above) Even then, my success rate was hardly spectacular. It gets tricky.Ī Docker veteran will likely have fewer problems, but it took several emails and quite a bit of time on Icewhale’s Discord server and YouTube (look up DB TEch) for me to discover how to accomplish this task. Some apps fill in some of the settings, others don’t. Though this is a preinstalled app, the same dialog is used for installing apps from places such as. Alas, this is where the lack of documentation for CasaOS comes into play. If you don’t find what you want listed in the app store, you can perform a custom install of one of the more than 100,000 available Docker apps. Duplicati is also on hand for online and local backup, but it’s from the server to other destinations only you can’t grab files from a remote source to back them up to the ZimaBoard. There is the effective Syncthing, but that requires local clients. ![]() I wasn’t in love with the selection of backup programs, but I’m strange in wanting the server to do all the work. Exiting and reopening seemed to cure this. I also had some issues with newly installed docker modules (Jellyfin and Plex) taking me straight to logins on first run, when they should have taken me to first-time-setup pages. This is hardly a deal-breaking issue, but it is a sign of the version 0.3x status of CasaOS. The ZimaBoard had the Jellyfin media server already installed, but the “Install” option was still available in the store. One thing I noticed about the app store (and didn’t particularly like) is that it doesn’t track what you already have installed. If you’re exposing the ZimaBoard to the outside world (i.e., the internet), you should change the defaults as soon as possible, as they are well known. It won’t respond to the one you create at first run. ![]() Personally, rather than keep a list, I changed them all to match those I entered at first run whenever possible.īy the way, the terminal uses the base username and password: casaos/casaos. Also, most apps require their own user name and password. While it’s not quite as slick as the genuine child windows that QNAP and Synology NAS boxers offer, CasaOS is perfectly usable. Note that most apps will use the entire tab, or open a new one. Installing the OS and apps on the ZimaBoardĪs shipped, the CasaOS Web interface sports a file manager, media and photo servers, and file-sharing programs, but there’s a lot more stuff available in the app store. USB storage was recognized and available upon insertion. It’s probably a good idea to power down before inserting a PCIe module anyway, since you could damage the unit by crossing contacts. When I added drives, both NVMe and SATA units required me to power-cycle the ZimaBoard before they’d show up. The main browser page of CasaOS as it appears when you first power on the ZimaBoard. ![]() The extremely attractive, Docker-hosting, CasaOS web interface prompts you to create a user name and password, then you’re good to go. If you’re going for NAS-like use, open up your browser, find the ZimaBoard’s IP address (look in your router’s client table or use a probe utility) and log on. There’s no on/off switch the unit is on from the time it senses power. So yes, the ZimaBoard is also a tiny Linux PC. ![]() In this case, it’s more like using a standard Linux distribution and you have access to normal apps such as Firefox, Libre Office, and so on. You can of course also attach a display, keyboard, and mouse for console use. Physically setting up the ZimaBoard is a simple matter of choosing the appropriate prongs for your outlet type from the included international adapters for the 12-volt/3-amp wall wart, plugging said power supply into the wall and the ZimaBoard, and then running an ethernet cable from your switch/router to the ZimaBoard. Still not into it? Buy a traditional NAS box. If you’re not a fan of exposed technology, think of this peripheral madness as a miniature art installation that you don’t have to pay a museum entrance fee to enjoy. Icewhale also offers a Wi-Fi module for the PCIe port.
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