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Just wanted to provide a quick update on this feature in particular. We are going to try to add this in for Q1 along with a few other big updates to be announced soon.

It is a must these days to have TailScale support, especially for secure remote access. It is far too easy to mess up a WireGaurd/OpenVPN Config, if the goal is security and simplicity, Tailscale VPN access should be a high priority.

Hello, not sure if it was requested already, but a curation for the "Actual Budget" app would be greatly appreciated. I found it by looking at the apps tab, and did some more research on it and i would love to switch to it instead of my current app of Quicken since I pay yearly to use it. I think it would help many nowadays due to inflation. Thanks!

This is a good background artikel. Thanks! It’s always good that you really understand the stuff you working with. In my opinion this is also the reason why TrueNas has a pretty steep learning curve. You have to understand the basics of ZFS and the authorization model, before you can configure the right options. To be honest, I am still not really comfortable in TrueNas. With a few guides from the internet I got my TrueNas setup up and running. But after that I change as less as possible 😀 This is exactly the reason I like the concept of HexOs. Rock solid TrueNas / ZFS in the background and easy config in the front end

The Lincstation N2 has 16GB LPDDR5 (Non-upgradeable), so 16GB it is. I already use CPU type host, and the i440fx is a click, click, next mistake, ha ha 🙂 . But for my test setup it's good enough and i didn't feel the need to change it, because it works. But I will use Q35 in my final setup. Truenas is also improving the VM engine and will become more and more a virtualisation platform. But for now the sweetspot of HexOs / Truenas is still good and reliable network storage. Proxmox gives me a lot of flexibility and is my virtualisation platform of choice. In the past I used ESXi, but since the Broadcom takeover I moved to Proxmox. vCenter was a nice tool and Proxmox is developing something like that: https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Proxmox_Datacenter_Manager_Roadmap Are you still using Proxmox? Or did you fully move to HexOs/Truenas? I am also curious about what you are using as server hardware.

If you can still afford to wipe your drives, you can setup RaidZ2 in Truenas.

only hexos gets installed to the boot drive. Apps get installed to a separate pool. I agree with @Sonic, the effort required to sell ddr3 is not worth the profit and Hexos loves ram. One thing to keep in mind is if you buy HDDs for a storage pool just make sure the are CMR drives and not SMR drives.

You never can have to much memory. If you have 64 gb in your machine, leave it like that. 😀. You also have buy new memory if you sell the 64GB. And that for a few $ or euro "profit"

I know exactly what you mean. The joy of discovery is immeasurable.

@DylanYou’d have to see it with a child’s eyes .There’s the joy of discovery in all this.

https://www.gingerling.co.uk/playing-with-hexos-part-1-losing-my-mind-and-my-pool/ Enjoy x

Laughs in Darkness.. All jokes aside Ill put it in to look at this issue.

I was reading THIS arsTECHNICA article on ZFS (as one usually does) and was so impressed that I started looking at other stuff the author has worked on. Turns out THIS guy created a ZFS snapshot application that looks really promising. I've not done anything other than look through the repo but I like what I see so far and wanted to share. Tagging @Sonic @Theo and @PsychoWards because of the thread comments in THIS post. While not totally on topic to that thread, it made me remember that I should share this content.

Look's nice, be curious to see what chipsets it comes with though + how it'll compare to the Ugreen DXP6800 or DXP8800.

So it took two weeks for what every reason. But i got such a great deal that I do not care 8 sticks of dual rank 16gb DDR4 ECC. I got it for 70 buck in the last 3 weeks there has been some good deals on eBay for both memory and used SAS drives. So happy!

Still no update at this time but an updated roadmap should be coming out soon

we have a virtual machine manager as part of our roadmap. No idea when we can expect it though.

Thank you for your feedback @PsychoWards and @Sonic. I saw your other post about running HexOS as Proxmox VM and specifically your comment about how much of the HW is under utilized. Since the larger device may only be for backups and perhaps one other use case, this presents opportunity. I'll keep the forum(s) updated as I get closed to actual deployment but this was a good first round of insight.

Pretty much exactly what @Sonic says. Hexos in a VM only makes sense if you want to run multiple OS on the same machine and if the VMs are the important part for you. If you primarily want a NAS and running other OS in a VM is not important and the built-in apps are enough for you, go bare metal there is no point in going down the VM part. If, however, VMs are important to you and Hexos is only a piece of your setup and not the most import part, proxmox or similar is the way to go.

It really depends on what you want to use your home server for. And of course, your personal preferences. In HexOS/TrueNAS, you can run VMs, but you could also choose a different virtualization platform. This is an interesting article to read: https://b3n.org/truenas-vs-proxmox/ I run HexOS as a Proxmox VM. My main considerations are: HexOS is still in Beta. Running it in a VM allows me to experiment easily, and if something goes wrong, I can restore a backup within minutes. TrueNAS and HexOS are my preferred storage platforms. However, for virtualization, I prefer using Proxmox. Especially in combination with Proxmox Backup Server, which makes for a rock-solid setup. Maximizing hardware usage. Most of the time, a (home) server sits idle. Running multiple services on the same hardware makes better use of resources. One thing to watch out for, especially with SSDs, is the file system you use. If you run ZFS on Proxmox and then again inside a TrueNAS VM, you generate a huge number of write operations, which wears out SSDs quickly. For a test setup, that’s not a big deal, but for long-term use, it’s something to keep in mind. I’ve set up SATA passthrough in Proxmox, so my HexOS VM can access the HDDs directly (as if HexOS were running on bare metal).

Video was great. In my town we have a store call Skycraft that sales stuff from all the Lockheed Martian and NASA, SpaceX just all kinds of stuff over the years I have gotten so much cool things from there. If I would have had that store back in the 70 and 80's I would have never had to go to Radio Shack. Just picked up a 4U computer case rack mount for 20 bucks going to rip everything out a turn it into a 36 bay JBOD for my r730xd. HexOS will rule them all HA!!!

Thank you so much @Tamaluko!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also was able to get my igpu (i5-13400) working in plex for transcoding after following your instructions. The only thing I didn't follow was the new user step, so thank you as well @Master-spud for reporting 568 still worked. Was really starting to feel like I was running in circles before I found this thread.

I would like to see first party support for placing any app behind some of the most popular VPNs (PIA, Nord, Express, Proton, Tailscale, etc), as well as custom VPNs (WireGuard, OpenVPN, etc). For example, you may install “The Lounge” IRC client and have all internet communication pass through a PIA VPN so that your home IP is not exposed while chatting. Traditional methods of doing this involve painful configuration of iptables or other firewall rules. I believe this is an area where HexOS could really simplify things: Install a VPN plugin, authenticate with it, and then simply assign an app to a VPN plugin via the app’s settings if desired. It would be fully accessible from the home network without going through the VPN, but all internet traffic would go through the VPN with a kill switch in case the VPN goes down. Thoughts?

Feature Suggestion: UPS Integration for Automatic Shutdown Enable Hexos to natively support UPS devices for automatic safe shutdown during power outages. • Benefits: Prevent data loss, monitor power status, and improve reliability. • Implementation: Integrate protocols like apcupsd or NUT for broad UPS compatibility and allow configurable shutdown actions. Would you like help submitting this suggestion? support UPS devices for automatic safe shutdown during power outages. • Benefits: Prevent data loss, monitor power status, and improve reliability. • Implementation: Integrate protocols like apcupsd or NUT for broad UPS compatibility and allow configurable shutdown actions. Would you like help submitting this suggestion?

I know this is a request for a more 'One click' Hex TM integration, but incase people wanted to test this now, you can do this in Hex + TN today. (already had mine running a week without issue. TIME MACHINE INSTALL GUIDE Create a Folder & name it time machine (or a custom name) Set the Folder permissions (I left mine open, add user permissions here to restricted access) Navigate to the TrueNas UI (Server IP > Username: truenas_admin Pasword: server password from install) Navigate to the Shares tab, you should see your newly created share. Click on edit (pencil) On the Purpose drop down change to > Basic or multi user time machine. Press save/apply, and it'll prompt a restart of the SMB process. Go to your mac settings > general > Time machine. Click the + icon and locate your time machine share, then click setup disk. FYI if you aren't already connected to your Hex server, you'd need to do so now. Either search for the server in the network tab of finder OR connect to the server with finder > go > connect to server > SMB://[THE IP OF YOUR HEX SERVER] You can now choose to encrypt your backup with a password + if you choose, restrict the total disk usage the backup will have. You should now see your time machine backup setup. This will start automatically, but you can create a back up straight away if you choose. AUTO CONNECT SHARED DRIVE SETUP Now that could be it, but to ensure your Time machine backup will always occur, you need to ensure your Mac is always connected to your Hex server. to do this, we need to add the share to the login items Open Settings > general > Login items > click the + icon Locate your connected time machine share, then click open. You should now see the drive in the login items. That's it, you should be all setup and running.

Don't worry, I know this is like talking about the castle at the end of the journey before we even take our first step! I wanted to start this more as a discussion/casual poll of our most wanted apps, however, so that when it comes time to expanding, there's a list of ideas/feedback ready to go! I'll start - I really want Tailscale support, be it natively, or official-unnoficial testing of the FreeBSD compile (if HexOS is built on the FreeBSD CORE image and not on SCALE - but either way!) that works on OPNSense/pfSense, or even in collaboration with Tailscale themselves. I think FreeBSD really needs some love to bring it more seamlessly to FreeBSD platforms and this is a perfect place to start, and if it's SCALE based, then I guess just testing and validation to make that oh-so-ideal one-click app deployment seamless! Bonus entry; HomeAssistant support, but both ways. if HA can be set up ON HexOS, AWESOME! I think, though, that it would also kick butt if HA could connect to HexOS and get info from it; drive health, usage, CPU util/temp, stuff like that! Big thanks to the Hex team and really looking forward to using this system!

That would be a perfect hexos box

You cannot install Hexos on any Synology NAS, it's locked down and does not support installing 3th party OS, you can only use the Synology own DSM with it. You might find some guides, but it's pretty janky and really not worth the hassle, if you want to use Hexos you need to look for another device.

You might see limitations if you try to install apps. Synology has a mature operating system built in already so i would suggest trying it before you try hexos if you have a Synology nas Edit: Thanks @Sonic & @PsychoWards for clarifying that synology doesn't support other os installations

A last picture from today. This is how it looks inside under the layer I lifted out.

Just a point about dealing with electronic parts like this. I always hold them by the edges. Very often on videos you see the person putting fingers all over it. Before I start I try to get rid of static electricity, by putting my hands on a heating radiator. I’ve built five or six computers since 2008, and never had a problem with static charge buildup.

@PsychoWards, you are more then welcome to copy some parts of my setup! That's also how I started with my setup. Always learning a lot of other homelabbers. And still learning every day. Do you have specific part where you are interested in? We can eleborate on that. And yes, perhaps you are right. I should create my own topic 🙂

Etcher solved the issue. Source:

https://aoostar.com/blogs/news/the-aoostar-wtr-max11bay-is-about-to-meet-you-all This looks like it could be really fun. It's more than what I need but I bet this things sells really well. BTW - who uses SFP at home?

i would probably use the TN scale guide. you can connect to it with tailscale. im not to familiar with reverse proxies myself so maybe someone else can better inform you.

Sorry guys. Just seeing this. Im so glad it worked for you @skywalker-2 I was literally in the same boat as you, I wasted hours trying to get Plex HW transcoding to work. I dont know what would you suggest @Dylan? Maybe make an Edit saying that others have reported the fix working without adding user 569? I have yet to try my fix without user 569 but I only have one Hex OS licence and man I sure would hate to re-re-restart my Plex server hahaha.

If you have an use case for additional VMs just go for it. However be aware that you have an additional layer which needs to be properly setup and configured and that some things might not be as straightforward as with a bare metal installation. 🙂

Nice looking device....just hella expensive.

So I decided to throw together a quick video for thoes that are questioning hardware when it comes to building their HexOs build. This is something i put together in a short time with my 20+ years in the used parts game. Feel free to give me pointers or opinions on things i may have missed and if there is a need ill create a part 2 with used enterprise gear..

There should not be a time limit for activating a license. Many of us here have bought a first or second license intending to activate it a lot later (myself included) Activating a license is pretty easy, once you install HexOS and turn on your machine, on a different device (on the same network) you go to Deck.Hexos.com and you can claim your server which will automatically activate it. Yes you can play with HexOS in a vm and there are a few users that run a HexOS vm in proxmox. You can always remove your Hexos license from your vm and move it to a different machine if you desire. If you have anymore questions don't hesitate to reach out.

Great question! Because I have limited needs, just a storage device with basic streaming capabilities, I use HexOS on the daily - mainly Plex. However, this is just part of my larger effort to build out a home solution that will eventually replace paid-for services that have increasingly risen is price and are more inclusive of advertisements (I LOATH ads with a perfect hatred). I am attempting to time my efforts with HexOS maturation. Which is to say as HexOS gains in features, I look to increase my DIY replacement of paid-for services. I know not everyone has the same timeline, level of effort, risk tolerance etc.. as I do, but that's why I jumped in early. I keep backups, try to contribute to this community and help where I can to see where this is going.

Thanks, now I feel confident to setup Z2 in TrueNas without breaking anything in HexOS.

Maybe others will chime in but IMO i wouldn't run my router inside a VM, inside my NAS... I can just see too many things to go wrong, and too many issues getting everything set up! If anything as a VM inside Proxmox Installed on the bare metal, then Hex in a separate container at minimum. As for routers in general, if space is an issue, have you looked into Ubiquiti? i've got the Unifi UCG-Ultra which is tiny but powerful, and will hardly take up any space, then you can choose where to put an AP. As for the NAS, if space is the biggest concern, then really a SFF M.2 pre built nas would probably be the go too? Perhaps something like this from UGreen or Asustor. But then i hope you have budget for the SSD's. Also if space is an issue, again a small Prebuilt 2 Bay Nas could work, or if you want large capacity, perhaps look into / think about placing it elsewhere and running ethernet (if you don't have runs already?)

Hold on , got to have my school girl that just won some KPOP tickets moment. Thanks @jonp for taking the dive and for everyone else that is making this a awesome community. I am along for the ride to see where HexOS take us during the road to Alpha.

Hey @Archion - Whatever makes the dream work!!! I dig it.

No, you cannot change from a RaidZ1 to a RaidZ2, this is defined once during the creation of the pool, but changing it requires to destroy and recreate the pool with RaidZ2, which will wipe all the data from the disks. If you want to have a RaidZ2 you either need to wait until Hexos supports it or create it manually in truenas and live with possible side effects in Hexos or ditch Hexos for the time being and switch to a truenas installation and migrate back to Hexos once pool migration because available some time after version 1.0.

I just installed and started setup. Same position. I have 5 drives and it's forcing Raid 5, which no option for manual configuration.

in the TrueNAS, you could juat import the existing pool, and your data still intach.. But as right now in beta, HexOS ignores all of existing pool and data and treat it as a new drives and wipes everything. Lets hope the developers acknowledge this and let us import the existing pool.

I need light mode, my eyes ache when doing dark mode Please fix