Mini PC Home Automation Server
Preconfigured Mini PC — Ubuntu Minimal + VirtualBox + Home Assistant VM + Pi-hole. Network-ready, optimised, plug in and go; custom configuration available on request.
Questions? info@calibrate.nz — Christchurch NZ
Click image to enlarge
Problem
The annoying problem
Building a reliable home automation server from scratch means sourcing hardware, installing an OS, configuring virtualisation, getting Home Assistant and Pi-hole running, and tuning networking — hours of research and debugging before it is stable and network-ready. Most homeowners want local control and network-wide ad blocking without the build work. This solution ships preconfigured — standard optimisation applied, network-ready — so you plug it into your network and go. And if you want it tailored, custom configuration is available on request.
Solution
Mini PC Home Automation Server
Preconfigured Mini PC — Ubuntu Minimal + VirtualBox + Home Assistant VM + Pi-hole. Network-ready, optimised, plug in and go; custom configuration available on request.
Shelly is the platform — this hub solution is the product.
Outcome — Benefits
What changes in your home. Customer language, not spec sheet.
- Skip the build — no sourcing, installing, or debugging the stack
- Plug in and go — network-ready, boots straight to Home Assistant + Pi-hole
- Local control — automations stay on your network; Pi-hole blocks at DNS
- Flexible — standard optimised build now, custom configuration available
Spec — Features
How it works under the hood.
- Ubuntu Minimal host, standard optimisation (updates, autostart — spec TBC)
- VirtualBox with Home Assistant VM — local automation & dashboards
- Pi-hole VM — network-wide ad blocking & DNS filtering
- Network-ready — plug into new network, discover Shellys locally
- Bench-tested; custom configuration available — flexible, not fixed
Pricing
Price & buying
Built to order: $600–$1000 ex GST
Final spec and price confirmed at enquiry. Custom configuration available.
- 6-month warranty
- Returns accepted if it isn't compatible with your existing install
- Prices are ex GST. Shipping is added separately.
How it works
How it works — stepped
Host runs Ubuntu Minimal — lean, optimised for 24/7 operation. VirtualBox hosts two VMs: Home Assistant for local automations, Shelly discovery and dashboards, and Pi-hole for network-wide DNS filtering. Network-ready by design — plug into your router via Ethernet, both VMs autostart on boot, discover Shelly devices on the same LAN, and Pi-hole is ready to be set as DNS if you choose. Standard optimisation covers updates, autostart and resource allocation (spec TBC); custom configuration available — tell us what you want and we tune before shipping.
Technology: local Shelly script — standalone; Home Assistant / Hub optional
- 1
Step 1
Mini PC host — Ubuntu Minimal, optimised for 24/7 uptime, autostart on power
- 2
Step 2
VirtualBox boots Home Assistant VM + Pi-hole VM automatically on start
- 3
Step 3
Plug into network via Ethernet — immediate Shelly discovery, Pi-hole ready to set as DNS
- 4
Step 4
Custom configuration available — share requirements, we tune before shipping
Hardware
Hardware included
Everything that ships in the system — no hunting for parts.
-
×1
Mini PC (Mini PC — spec TBC)
Preconfigured host — Ubuntu Minimal + VirtualBox + Home Assistant VM + Pi-hole, network-ready (spec TBC at enquiry)
-
×1
Power supply
Matched PSU for Mini PC
Preconfigured
What's preconfigured
We do the boring config so you don't have to. You install. Test happens before shipping.
- ✓ Ubuntu Minimal installed & optimised on host (updates, autostart)
- ✓ VirtualBox + Home Assistant VM + Pi-hole VM configured and verified
- ✓ Network-ready — boots to VMs, ready to plug into new network via Ethernet
- ✓ Bench tested before shipping — custom configuration available on request
In the box
What's in the box
- Mini PC ×1 (preconfigured — Ubuntu Minimal + VirtualBox + Home Assistant VM + Pi-hole)
- Power supply ×1 (matched)
- Setup guide — network connection & Home Assistant / Pi-hole access
- Router DNS notes — how to set Pi-hole as DNS (optional)
- Test report — TBC (placeholder)
Installation
Installation
Clear separation: what you do vs what your electrician does.
You — DIY
Placement, Wi-Fi and app-free defaults.
- Power outlet near router/switch for Mini PC
- Ethernet port on router or switch (Wi-Fi TBC — Ethernet recommended)
- Router admin access if you want Pi-hole as network DNS (optional, notes provided)
- No electrician required — plug in, power on, connect to network
Why this solution
Why this solution vs buying devices
Same Shelly parts — but you skip the pairing, scripting and tuning.
| Feature | Buying devices | With this solution |
|---|---|---|
| OS & virtualisation | You source, install OS, tune VirtualBox | Ubuntu Minimal + VirtualBox installed & optimised |
| Home Assistant + Pi-hole | You install, configure VMs, debug networking | Both VMs preconfigured, network-ready, autostart |
| Network setup | You research DHCP/DNS, troubleshoot | Plug into network — ready to assign DNS for Pi-hole if wanted |
| Optimisation | You harden, set autostart, updates yourself | Standard optimisation applied; custom config available |
| Testing & support | Self-test, forum support | Bench-tested before shipping — info@calibrate.nz |
Technical
Technical details
- power
- Mains via supplied PSU — spec TBC
- connectivity
- Ethernet + Wi-Fi (TBC) — network-ready, VMs bridged
- compatibility
- Shelly devices on same LAN (Home Assistant discovery); any router for Pi-hole DNS. Compatibility confirmed case-by-case — send your model with your enquiry.
- dimensions
- Mini PC form factor — spec TBC
- warranty
- 6-month warranty
Journey
What happens when you buy
You enquire
Hit Enquire about a built-to-order mini PC — tell us your setup (fan model, opener, Wi-Fi). We confirm fit and price.
We build & test
We assemble, flash script, pair BLE, tune thresholds, bench-test on 192.168.1.x.
You install — we support
Sparky wires relay; you place sensor. Diagram + notes included. Support via info@calibrate.nz.
Trust
Built properly — no fabrication
Christchurch assembled
Built and bench-tested in Christchurch before shipping. Local support at info@calibrate.nz.
Bench tested
Verified on 192.168.1.x bench network — proven lineage from shower/scripts/shower-fan.js (2% / 90s / 15 min).
Electrician-friendly
Wiring diagram + install notes included. Shelly 1 Gen3 is 240V — electrician required for mains install. Sensor is DIY.
6-month warranty. Prices are ex GST; shipping is added separately. Returns accepted if it isn't compatible with your existing install.
Notes & lineage
Why this exists
Running Home Assistant and Pi-hole yourself is powerful — but building the box, installing the OS, configuring VirtualBox, and getting networking right takes a weekend you don’t have. This solution exists so you don’t have to build it: a bench-tested Mini PC that arrives preconfigured, boots to your VMs, and plugs straight into your network. Standard optimisation covers the essentials; customisation is available when you want more.
What’s in the box
- Mini PC, preconfigured (Ubuntu Minimal, VirtualBox, Home Assistant VM, Pi-hole VM — network-ready)
- Matched power supply
- Setup guide + router DNS notes for Pi-hole
- Test report (bench verification — TBC)
Setup
Plug the Mini PC into power and your router (Ethernet). Power it on — both VMs autostart. Home Assistant appears on your LAN for Shelly discovery and dashboards; Pi-hole is reachable on its LAN address — set it as DNS in your router if you want network-wide filtering. No apps to build, no OS to install. The hero photo lives at public/solutions/mini-pc-home-automation-server/hero.png.
Customisation
Standard build is optimised and ready to go, but every home is different. Custom configuration is available on request — tell us your network layout, VM sizing, integrations, or Pi-hole preferences and we’ll tune before shipping. Flexible, not a fixed menu — we configure what you actually need.
Positioning
Shelly is the platform — this Mini PC Home Automation Server is the product. You’re not just buying a Mini PC; you’re buying a preconfigured, bench-tested, network-ready server that reduces setup complexity to ‘plug it in’. It works standalone and expands with Home Assistant as you add Shelly solutions.
FAQ
Common questions
How much does the Mini PC Home Automation Server cost?
It's built to order, roughly $600–$1000 ex GST, plus shipping. The final spec and price are confirmed at enquiry.
What hardware spec do I get?
The exact Mini PC spec is confirmed at enquiry — tell us what you want to run and we'll match the hardware to it.
What comes preconfigured?
The host runs Ubuntu with VirtualBox, plus a Home Assistant VM and a Pi-hole VM. It's network-ready: plug in via Ethernet, and the VMs autostart on boot.
What warranty do I get?
Every Calibrate solution comes with a 6-month warranty.
What if it isn't compatible with my network?
If a solution isn't compatible with your existing install, you can return it. Tell us about your network at enquiry and we'll confirm the fit.
Do I need an electrician?
No. Plug it into power and Ethernet, and it boots to the VMs.
Can I get it customised?
Yes. Standard optimisation is included, and custom configuration is available on request before shipping.
Ready to order Mini PC Home Automation Server?
We build to order and test each system before shipping. Christchurch, NZ.
Works standalone • Expands to Home Assistant
Enquire about Mini PC Home Automation Server
Tell us what you've got and what you need. We'll confirm compatibility and a final price.
Send your enquiry below — we'll reply by email. Prefer your own email app? Email info@calibrate.nz directly instead.
Mini PC Home Automation Server
Preconfigured Mini PC — Ubuntu Minimal + VirtualBox + Home Assistant VM + Pi-hole. Network-ready, optimised, plug in and go; custom configuration available on request.