Hi everyone, I’m really excited to share my journey of upgrading my home server and integrating Home Assistant into the mix. I’ve been using OMV (Open MediaVault) for years now, and while it’s been reliable, I feel it’s time to move things forward. I’ve heard so much about OMV6 and the improvements it brings, but I also want to explore how I can better integrate Home Assistant into my setup.
Currently, my server is running OMV with VirtualBox for some VMs, but I’ve noticed some limitations, especially with resource allocation. I’ve tried running Home Assistant in a Docker container, but I’m hitting some walls with CPU and RAM usage, especially when I have multiple services like Frigate and ZoneMinder running. I’m considering whether to stick with Docker or switch to KVM for better performance and resource management.
I’ve also been thinking about moving some services to run directly on the host OS instead of within containers or VMs. For example, MariaDB could run natively, which might offer better performance and fewer restrictions. Plus, I’ve heard that running services on the host can simplify backups and reduce overhead.
One thing I’m a bit nervous about is the automation of KVM VMs after a reboot. I’ve read that they might not start automatically, which could be a problem for critical services like Home Assistant. I’d love to hear from others who’ve successfully integrated HA into their KVM setup—how do you ensure everything starts smoothly?
I’ve also been exploring the Docker ecosystem within OMV and how it can coexist with KVM. I’m curious if others have a hybrid setup where some services are in Docker and others are VMs. What’s the recommended approach for balancing resources and ensuring everything runs smoothly?
Another consideration is the future-proofing of my setup. I’ve got a decent amount of storage and a few spare drives, but I want to make sure that my upgrades now will support my needs for years to come. I’m also thinking about expanding my home automation with more sensors and devices, so having a robust server backbone is crucial.
I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences from the community. Whether it’s about Docker vs KVM, performance optimizations, or best practices for integrating Home Assistant, I’m all ears! Let’s make this upgrade a success story together. 