Configure and build a smarthome server

If configure a smarthome server which should run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the question often arises if it does not need a lot of power. My goal was therefore to build a server with a particularly low-power components. The current configuration needs about 25 watts and is therefore acceptable in my opinion for a ²⁴⁄₇ operation.

Hardware

It is running with a Quad Core Atom J5005 and 32GB DDR4-2400. As a harddrive there are one 256GB SSD and one 3TB raid 1. The server case itself features 4 HotPlug slots for easy changing harddisks. This setup will give me some flexibility for the future :-)

Operatingsystem

I use openSUSE as my operating system. The reason is my personal preference and habit. I use SuSE since version 4.3. I changed almost directly from my formerly used Amiga OS. :-)

Hardwaredetails

The hardware cost about 570 € and the parts list is as follows.

• ASRock J5005-ITX MB Intel Gemini Lake
  
• 2x 16GB DDR4 2400
  
• 2x 3000GB WD Red WD30EFRX 64MB 3.5” (8.9cm) SATA 6Gb/s
  
• Samsung 860 PRO 256 GB SATA 2,5”
  
• Bracket - mit 9-pol Sub D - Low Profile
  
• PicoPSU-90 12V DC-DC ATX mini-ITX 0-90W
  
• SALCAR (12V 8A 96W Powersupply
  
• Chenbro Mini-ITX Home Server SR30169
  
  

The following topics are discussed in more detail:

• IoT server installation and setup
• VPN Cloud Mesh
• openHAB as a central IoT control unit
• Nextcloud as a private cloud