J’sais pas si vous avez vu, mais Google a sorti en beta, encore un truc qui va mettre les experts UX/UI au chomdu ! Son petit nom c’est Stitch (rien à voir avec Lilo) et vous pouvez le découvrir sur stitch.withgoogle.com . En gros, Stitch c’est une boîte à outils expérimentale qui utilise de l’IA pour transformer vos idées de site ou d’appli mobiles en interfaces utilisateur fonctionnelles en un rien de temps.

Le principe c’est comme d’hab, vous entrez une description en langage naturel du style “Vazy crée-moi une app mobile dark theme avec une navbar, une carte de profil et un bouton d’action flottant, wesh”, et hop ! Stitch vous sort de son chapeau l’interface complète avec le code HTML/CSS qui va bien. C’est annoncé officiellement depuis mai sur le blog Google Developers depuis Google I/O 2025. Oui, je sais, j’suis pas pressé. J’ai un métier moi (non).

Et si vous n’êtes pas inspiré, mais que vous trouver l’app ou le site d’un concurrent sexy, vous pouvez également uploader une capture écran de son interface ou d’un gribouillis de votre cru, ou même un wireframe fait à l’arrache. Et Stitch analysera l’image et vous crachera une version propre et fonctionnelle.

Gemini 2.5 est bien sûr le maître d’œuvre et Stitch vous propose deux modes : Gemini 2.5 Flash pour la rapidité (350 générations par mois), ou Gemini 2.5 Pro pour des résultats plus sophistiqués (50 générations par mois). Notez que le mode Pro est particulièrement bon quand vous travaillez avec des inputs visuels complexes.

L’intégration avec Figma est aussi un vrai plus. Vous pouvez donc exporter directement votre design dans Figma tout en préservant les calques et les composants ce qui est pratique pour les designers qui veulent peaufiner le résultat ou pour les équipes qui bossent déjà avec cet outil. Par contre, moi j’y ai pas accès, donc je pense qu’il faut un abonnement pro pour profiter de cette option.

Pour les développeurs, le code généré est également plutôt propre et bien structuré. Moi j’ai testé en demandant une interface pour une potentielle application Korben sur iOS / Android (j’suis pas sûr qu’il y ait un vrai besoin cela dit) et il m’a pondu un truc assez classique mais très propre, basé sur Tailwind CSS.

Et évidemment, chez Google, ils vous diront que l’objectif n’est pas de remplacer Figma ou Adobe XD, mais plutôt de faciliter la phase initiale de prototypage qui peut être fastidieuse. Mais bon, à terme, je pense que ce sera la fin pour ce genre d’outils sauf s’ils embrassent eux aussi, l’IA générative.

L’outil propose évidemment un chat interactif pour affiner le design, des sélecteurs de thèmes, et la possibilité de modifier le résultat en temps réel. Vous pouvez aussi jongler entre les versions web et mobile de votre interface en un clic. Pour l’instant, c’est gratuit mais avec des limitations mensuelles. Il vous faut un compte Google et c’est disponible dans 212 pays, uniquement en anglais.

C’est donc parfait pour les débutants avec des idées d’apps, les développeurs qui veulent prototyper rapidement, et les designers qui cherchent à explorer des variantes rapidement avec une bonne UX/UI faite dans les règles de l’art.

Mais attention quand même… Pour ma part, j’ai testé le bouton de téléchargement pour récupérer un design et ça n’a pas fonctionné… preuve que c’est vraiment encore en beta !

Voilà, donc si vous voulez tester, rendez-vous sur stitch.withgoogle.com . Ça peut vous faire gagner du temps sur les phases de brainstorming et de prototypage rapide.

Merci à Rpc2dot0 pour la découverte !

Marre de jongler entre votre terminal et 15 onglets pour gérer vos sessions Claude Code ? Et bien les amis, je suis tombé sur Opcode , et c’est un super outil pour créer des checkpoints dans vos conversations IA comme vous faites des branches Git, pouvoir revenir en arrière quand Claude part en vrille mais également avoir une vraie vue d’ensemble de tous vos projets et agents…

Développé par Asterisk , une startup passée par Y Combinator, Opcode c’est l’interface graphique qui manquait cruellement à Claude Code. Au lieu de vous battre avec la ligne de commande, vous avez maintenant une vraie application desktop, native, rapide, qui tourne sur macOS, Linux et Windows. Ce truc est construit avec Tauri 2 , donc on parle de performances natives avec une UI moderne en React.

Claude Code est un outil génial pour coder avec de l’IA, et j’en sais quelque chose parce que je l’utilise tous les jours. Mais l’interface CLI peut vite devenir limitante quand vous jonglez avec plusieurs projets. Opcode transforme donc cette expérience en quelque chose de plus visuel et intuitif. Vous naviguez dans vos projets stockés dans ~/.claude/projects/ avec une interface graphique, vous voyez l’historique de vos sessions, et surtout, vous pouvez créer des agents personnalisés avec leurs propres prompts système.

Le système de time-travel m’a particulièrement plu car il permet de créer des checkpoints pendant vos conversations avec Claude. Comme ça, si l’IA part dans une mauvaise direction, hop, vous revenez au checkpoint précédent. C’est comme Git mais pour vos interactions IA. Ça évite de tout recommencer quand Claude comprend de travers ce que vous voulez.

Côté sécurité, les mecs d’Asterisk ne rigolent pas. Opcode utilise du sandboxing au niveau OS (seccomp sur Linux, Seatbelt sur macOS) pour isoler complètement les processus. Chaque agent peut avoir des permissions granulaires et vous décidez exactement ce qu’il peut faire ou ne pas faire. Et le plus important : zéro télémétrie. Toutes vos données restent en local, pas de cloud, pas de tracking. Votre code reste donc votre code.

Pour les agents personnalisés, c’est vraiment bien pensé. Vous créez des agents spécialisés avec leurs propres instructions système. Un agent pour le debug, un autre pour la documentation, un pour les tests unitaires. Chaque agent garde son historique, ses préférences, ses permissions. Vous construisez progressivement votre bibliothèque d’agents spécialisés qui connaissent vos habitudes de travail.

L’interface de tracking des coûts API est super pratique aussi. Vous voyez en temps réel combien de tokens vous consommez, le coût associé, avec des graphiques détaillés. Fini les mauvaises surprises en fin de mois. Comme ça, vous savez exactement où part votre budget Claude.

Pour installer Opcode, vous pouvez télécharger les binaires pour macOS, Linux (Windows arrive bientôt…) directement sur le site d’opcode .

Le code est sur GitHub , propre et bien documenté si ça vous chauffe. Voilà, ça permet de garder toute la puissance de l’outil CLI Claude Code, mais avec une interface qui rend l’expérience bien plus agréable. Si vous êtes un vibe codeur qui passe ses journées avec Claude, vous allez gagner un temps fou.

J’ai déniché un truc sympa pour tous ceux qui passent leur vie dans Docker. Ça s’appelle DCV (Docker Container Viewer) et c’est développé par tokuhirom sur GitHub. En gros, imaginez que quelqu’un ait pris toutes les commandes Docker que vous tapez 50 fois par jour et les ait transformées en une interface accessible via le terminal super classe avec tous vos raccourcis Vim préférés.

Comme ça au lieu de vous taper docker ps, docker logs, docker exec et compagnie en boucle, vous avez tout sous les yeux dans une seule interface TUI (Terminal User Interface). Et le plus beau, c’est que c’est développé avec Bubble Tea , un framework Go qui cartonne pour faire des interfaces terminal qui déchirent (jetez y un oeil à l’occasion..).

Alors oui, je sais ce que vous allez me dire. Il existe déjà Lazydocker , Portainer et une chiée d’autres outils mais DCV a quelques atouts dans sa manche qui le rendent particulièrement intéressant.

D’abord, contrairement à Portainer qui nécessite un serveur web et tout le tralala, DCV reste dans votre terminal. C’est léger, ça démarre instantanément, et ça fonctionne partout où vous avez SSH. Pas besoin d’ouvrir des ports ou de configurer quoi que ce soit de compliqué.

Par rapport à Lazydocker, DCV mise sur une interface encore plus minimaliste et des raccourcis clavier inspirés de Vim. Du coup, si vous êtes du genre à ne jamais toucher votre souris, vous allez kiffer. Le truc cool aussi, c’est qu’il gère nativement Docker-in-Docker, ce qui peut être super pratique pour certains workflows de CI/CD.

L’outil vous permet donc de visualiser :

• Tous vos containers Docker (standalone ou gérés par Compose)
• Les images Docker disponibles
• Les réseaux et volumes
• Les logs en temps réel avec streaming
• L’intérieur des containers (navigation dans les fichiers)

Mais là où ça devient vraiment intéressant, c’est que vous pouvez exécuter des commandes shell directement depuis l’interface. Plus besoin de copier l’ID du container pour faire un docker exec -it. Vous sélectionnez, vous appuyez sur une touche, et bam, vous êtes dans le container.

Pour l’installer, si vous êtes sur macOS ou Linux avec Homebrew :

brew tap tokuhirom/tap
brew install dcv

go install github.com/tokuhirom/dcv@latest

initial_view = "compose"

dcv -debug dcv.log

Si comme moi, vous jonglez avec une dizaine de serveurs SSH différents et que votre fichier ~/.ssh/config ressemble à un roman de Marcel Proust, je vous ai trouvé un petit outil bien sympa qui pourrait vous faciliter grandement la vie. Ça s’appelle SSH-List et c’est un gestionnaire de connexions SSH codé en Rust et équipé d’une jolie une interface TUI (Text User Interface) plutôt bien pensée.

Ce qui me plaît avec SSH-List, c’est sa philosophie minimaliste car contrairement à certains mastodontes comme Termius , Tabby ou SecureCRT qui essaient de tout faire, lui reste focus sur l’essentiel, à savoir gérer vos connexions SSH, point. Et pour beaucoup d’entre nous qui passons notre vie dans le terminal au détriment de notre famille, c’est exactement ce qu’il nous faut.

L’outil a été développé par Akinoiro et propose toutes les fonctionnalités de base dont vous avez besoin telles que ajouter, éditer, copier et trier vos connexions SSH. Vous pouvez même définir des options SSH personnalisées et exécuter des commandes directement sur vos hôtes distants. Et cerise sur le gâteau, il peut importer automatiquement vos hôtes existants depuis votre fichier ~/.ssh/config.

Pratique pour migrer en douceur.

Un point sécurité qui mérite d’être souligné c’est que SSH-List ne stocke aucun mot de passe. L’outil vous encourage même à utiliser des clés SSH pour l’authentification, ce qui est de toute façon la bonne pratique à adopter en 2025. Toute votre configuration est sauvegardée dans un simple fichier JSON ici ~/.ssh/ssh-list.json, donc vous gardez le contrôle total sur vos données.

Maintenant, pour l’installation, vous avez l’embarras du choix. Si vous êtes sur Arch Linux, un petit paru -S ssh-list via l’AUR et c’est réglé. Sur Ubuntu ou Linux Mint, il y a un PPA dédié :

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:akinoiro/ssh-list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ssh-list

Pour les puristes ou ceux sur d’autres distributions, vous pouvez l’installer via Cargo (le gestionnaire de paquets Rust) avec un simple cargo install ssh-list, ou compiler directement depuis les sources si vous êtes du genre à aimer avoir la main sur tout.

L’interface TUI est vraiment intuitive. Vous naviguez dans votre liste de connexions avec les flèches, vous appuyez sur Entrée pour vous connecter, et vous avez des raccourcis clavier pour toutes les actions courantes. C’est simple, efficace, et ça reste dans l’esprit terminal qu’on aime tant.

Ce qui différencie SSH-List des autres gestionnaires de connexions SSH disponibles, c’est justement cette approche sans chichi. Pas de fonctionnalités inutiles, pas d’interface graphique lourde, juste ce qu’il faut pour bosser efficacement. C’est un peu l’antithèse de solutions comme MobaXterm ou mRemoteNG qui essaient de gérer tous les protocoles possibles et imaginables.

Si vous cherchez une alternative légère à des outils comme sshs ou sgh (qui font à peu près la même chose mais avec des approches différentes), SSH-List mérite également le détour et le fait qu’il soit écrit en Rust garantit des performances au top et une utilisation mémoire minimale. Deux points non négligeables quand on passe sa journée avec 50 onglets de terminal ouverts.

Alors non, SSH-List ne va pas changer drastiquement votre façon de travailler, mais il va clairement la simplifier.

C’est par ici que ça se passe .

45Drives HL8 8-Bay MITX NAS Case Review

The 45Drives HL8 is an 8-bay desktop NAS chassis developed for users who want professional-grade storage hardware without committing to the rigid ecosystems of traditional NAS vendors. Designed and manufactured in North America, the HL8 is available in several configurations, with this review focusing specifically on the chassis, backplane, and power supply model. This version includes a precision-built steel enclosure, a direct-wired 8-bay SATA backplane, and a 500W 80 Plus Gold-rated Flex ATX power supply. It omits bundled motherboards, CPUs, and pre-installed operating systems, appealing to users who prefer to build or customize their NAS hardware environment while still benefiting from an integrated power and storage foundation. The HL8 aims to bridge the gap between low-cost DIY NAS enclosures, which often suffer from poor thermals and awkward layouts, and locked-down consumer appliances that limit software choices and upgrade potential. With a hinged open-frame design, support for full-height PCIe cards, and internal layout optimized for accessibility and cooling, the HL8 is positioned as a platform for long-term use and adaptability rather than a quick-start solution. While its price point is significantly higher than generic imported chassis, its construction and modular focus suggest it’s intended for serious users seeking more control, not simply more convenience.

Who Are 45Drives?

45Drives is a Canadian storage hardware manufacturer based in Nova Scotia, operating as a division of Protocase, a custom enclosure and prototyping company. The brand has built a reputation among system integrators, IT professionals, and homelab enthusiasts for delivering modular, open-platform storage solutions. Unlike many NAS vendors that focus on vertically integrated ecosystems, 45Drives offers systems built around industry-standard components, designed to be user-serviceable and adaptable. Their catalog includes high-density rackmount systems like the Storinator, hybrid flash-HDD systems such as the Stornado, and more recently, a range of compact desktop NAS chassis under the “HL” or HomeLab label. The HL8, HL4, and HL15 models are part of this effort to scale down enterprise-grade build quality into a form factor more appropriate for deskside or small office deployment.

A core part of 45Drives’ identity is its commitment to open-source principles, not just through hardware compatibility but also in software tooling and education. The company develops and maintains Cockpit-based management modules—such as their ZFS and Samba interfaces—for Linux distributions like Rocky Linux, which they often preinstall with their systems. These modules are freely available on GitHub, and the company encourages users to modify, self-host, or adapt them as needed. In addition to their software work, 45Drives actively engages with the community through regular YouTube content, documentation portals, and technical support that continues even when customers deviate from default hardware or software configurations. This combination of enterprise durability, user empowerment, and open development has earned 45Drives a dedicated following among those who want to retain full control over their infrastructure without sacrificing reliability or support.

BUILD QUALITY - 10/10

NOISE - 8/10

COOLING - 8/10

PRICE - 6/10

VALUE - 8/10

8.0

PROS

1. Exceptional build quality using 2mm thick powder-coated steel
2. Unique hinged design allows full interior access without disassembly
3. Integrated 12Gb/s SATA/SAS-compatible hot-swap backplane
4. Designed for Mini-ITX motherboards with full PCIe x16 slot suppor0t
5. Tool-less and tray-less drive bays improve maintenance and upgrades
6. Outstanding documentation and support from 45Drives
7. Fully open-source-friendly chassis with non-proprietary layout

CONS

1. Significantly more expensive than typical DIY NAS cases
2. No native 2.5\" SSD bays included (requires 3D-printed or addon tray)
3. Only compatible with Flex ATX PSUs, limiting choice and increasing cost

45Drives HL8 8-Bay MITX NAS Review – External Design

The HL8’s exterior sets it apart from typical consumer NAS enclosures through its bold and unique industrial construction – practically enterprise grade, at a homelab and desktop level. Built from 16-gauge powder-coated steel, the chassis weighs approximately 22 lbs even before drives are installed, conveying a sense of structural rigidity that clearly aligns more with enterprise hardware than with mass-market desktop cases.

The finish is matte and durable, avoiding cheap plastics or decorative panels. Buyers can choose between metal and acrylic front plates, and several color options are available, offering some degree of personalization—something rarely seen at this tier. Branding is subtle, with the HL8 model designation etched into the top panel and a logo plate on the front face.

Unlike most enclosures that rely on removable panels or sliding trays, the HL8 features a hinged “clam shell” design. The entire upper shell lifts open via captive thumb screws, granting immediate access to internal components without needing to remove the drives or disconnect cabling.

This mechanism provides real-time visibility into the system’s interior during operation, making it easier to perform diagnostics, replace fans, or adjust cabling. It’s particularly helpful for users who regularly service or upgrade their systems, and it avoids many of the frustrations associated with cramped or tool-dependent access panels.

The front of the case houses eight hot-swap 3.5” bays in a vertical arrangement, accessible without tools and pre-wired via the internal backplane. These bays are trayless and rely on drive guides for alignment, secured by the structural frame rather than individual plastic sleds. This design allows for rapid drive installation and removal while minimizing potential points of mechanical failure. The front ventilation is cut directly into the steel fascia, and airflow is directed through the drive bays by internal Noctua fans located behind them. There are no visible indicators or LCD panels on the front panel—minimalism is favored over visual clutter.

Around the rear, the layout remains conventional but clean. The rear I/O cutout accommodates standard mini-ITX motherboard layouts, and the single expansion slot supports a full-height PCIe card up to 72mm in height. The integrated Flex ATX power supply sits beside the motherboard area with its own exhaust fan, and ample passive ventilation is provided via additional steel cutouts. While visually understated, the HL8’s outer design prioritizes durability, accessibility, and functional airflow—traits that reflect its enterprise lineage more than its homelab label might suggest.

45Drives HL8 8-Bay MITX NAS Review – Internal Case Design

Internally, the HL8 case is engineered for both accessibility and structured airflow, with a layout that avoids many of the compromises found in smaller or mass-produced enclosures. The most notable feature is its fully hinged body, which allows the entire top and side panel assembly to lift upward without removing the drives. This open-access approach separates the drive chamber from the motherboard compartment without creating restrictive airflow barriers. It’s a significant advantage for users who need to inspect, troubleshoot, or upgrade internal components, especially when working with larger cooling units or dense cable configurations.

The motherboard area is positioned on the right side of the chassis, aligned horizontally to the drive plane, which prevents any obstruction by drive trays or cabling. This layout supports standard mini-ITX boards and allows full visibility of memory slots, M.2 sockets, and power headers even with drives installed. The motherboard is flanked by routing space that supports organized cabling, including SATA or power leads. This spacing is particularly useful when working with non-modular PSUs or when routing SATA cables from alternative controllers or add-in cards. The case does not limit users to any specific board vendor or layout beyond the mini-ITX size constraint.

Cabling for the backplane is pre-installed in the PSU model, which simplifies setup considerably. The backplane itself is a direct-wired design supporting up to eight SATA drives without requiring SAS expander cards or proprietary interfaces. This approach ensures compatibility with a wide range of consumer and enterprise SATA drives and avoids the long-term risks of vendor-specific drive bay lock-ins. It also makes replacing or troubleshooting individual cables far easier than in systems using multipath or bundled connectors. Power and data connections are cleanly routed through the side of the case, keeping airflow clear and minimizing vibration interference.

The Flex ATX PSU sits at the rear left and is mounted horizontally, drawing air through its own intake and exhausting separately from the main airflow path. This compact configuration leaves the bulk of the case’s lower chamber available for future expansion or airflow tuning. Additional internal fan mounts and brackets are preinstalled, and 45Drives includes all necessary mounting screws and documentation—even down to port-specific manuals for the pre-installed PSU. The internal design of the HL8 shows clear thought toward ease of maintenance and modularity, reflecting an expectation that users will revisit and modify their system over time rather than treat it as a sealed appliance.

45Drives HL8 8-Bay MITX NAS Review – Noise and Cooling

The HL8’s cooling design reflects a balance between thermal efficiency and acoustic performance, especially in its PSU-included configuration. By default, this model ships with multiple Noctua fans—specifically, two NF-A12x15 fans for intake and one NF-A4x10 for exhaust—which are widely regarded for their low noise output and long-term reliability.

Combined with the direct airflow path created by the open drive cage layout, the HL8 maintains effective cooling of both hard drives and system components without requiring high-RPM, high-noise fan profiles. Even under load, thermal tests show the drive temperatures hovering around 50°C in a 20°C ambient environment—well within safe operating margins for mechanical disks.

In real-world usage, the system produces around 33–34 dBA at idle and 42 dBA under full fan load during tasks such as ZFS pool creation or sustained disk activity. These levels are consistent with what you would expect from a quiet desktop PC and are significantly lower than typical rackmount systems or budget enclosures using unbranded high-speed fans.

The use of steel panels throughout the chassis also contributes to noise dampening, reducing vibration resonance from spinning drives. Overall, the HL8’s thermal and acoustic profile is well-suited for deployment in office or home environments where audible noise is a concern, without sacrificing long-term cooling performance.

45Drives HL8 8-Bay Case vs the Jonsbo N3 Case

The 45Drives HL8 and the Jonsbo N3 both offer 8-bay NAS enclosures for mini-ITX builds, but they cater to very different tiers of the DIY NAS market. The HL8 is positioned as a premium, enterprise-grade enclosure built entirely from 16-gauge steel and manufactured in Canada. It includes a fully integrated backplane, Noctua fans, and a Flex ATX PSU—features aimed at maximizing serviceability, thermal control, and long-term reliability.

Priced at roughly $880 USD for the chassis, backplane, and PSU combo, it targets users who demand industrial standards in a desktop form factor. The Jonsbo N3, in contrast, is a Chinese-manufactured enclosure constructed from 2.0mm aluminium alloy with 1.0mm steel internals.

It focuses on maximizing functionality in a compact and aesthetically refined format, with average retail pricing ranging between $150–$170 USD, though occasional sales and unpredictable shipping costs on platforms like AliExpress can make pricing volatile.

In terms of hardware layout and user experience, the HL8 emphasizes modularity and ease of access. Its unique “flower-style” hinged chassis allows for complete servicing of drives, motherboard, cabling, and PSU without disassembly. The built-in backplane supports both SATA and SAS, reducing the need for messy cabling or additional HBA cards unless required for scale-out. Meanwhile, the Jonsbo N3 offers a two-chamber design separating drives and the motherboard/PSU area, supporting 8 hot-swap drives via an included SATA-only backplane. However, the power delivery system relies on two Molex and one SATA connector—an odd combination that may require more planning for power distribution. The N3 also employs a PSU passthrough cable from the back to a front-mounted internal SFX PSU, saving space but potentially restricting airflow and complicating installation. Unlike the HL8’s enterprise cable routing, the N3 requires tight cable management due to its smaller internal volume, and is more prone to cable congestion near the motherboard tray.

Where the HL8 wins in build quality and professional usability, the N3 counters with surprising features at its price point. The N3 includes dual rear fans, 8 LED indicators for drive activity, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C front I/O, and support for large PCIe GPUs or network cards up to 250mm. However, it uses rubber grommet-mounted drive holders instead of trays—a cost-saving measure that may reduce vibration but introduces concerns about long-term durability and ease of drive removal. It also lacks tool-less panels for the main lid, requiring an Allen key for access, which, while flush and neat, isn’t practical for regular service. By comparison, the HL8 is fully toolless throughout. Ultimately, the HL8 is ideal for users who prioritize low-maintenance reliability and modular enterprise design in a desktop form, while the N3 offers excellent value for cost-conscious DIY builders willing to trade some serviceability and airflow flexibility for size, aesthetics, and affordability.

45Drives HL8 8-Bay MITX NAS Review – The Pre-Built AMD Model

In addition to offering the HL8 as a chassis with backplane and power supply, 45Drives also sells a fully assembled, tested, and burn-in validated configuration for users who prefer a turnkey deployment. The current prebuilt model typically includes a Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro AX mini-ITX motherboard, paired with either an AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT (6-core, 12-thread) or Ryzen 7 5700G (8-core, 16-thread) processor. These CPUs offer solid single- and multi-threaded performance, integrated graphics for transcoding or light GUI workloads, and efficient power profiles.

The build also comes with up to 64GB of DDR4 UDIMM memory, a 1TB NVMe SSD (typically Gen 4), Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 low-profile CPU cooler, and factory-installed Noctua case fans. All internal wiring is professionally routed, and the system arrives with Rocky Linux and the Houston UI preinstalled for immediate setup.

At the time of writing, the total cost of the prebuilt HL8 with the Ryzen 5700G configuration is $1,538 USD. In contrast, a self-built system using comparable off-the-shelf components can be assembled for approximately $875–$900. A rough cost breakdown would be: Ryzen 7 5700G and B550I motherboard combo ($260), 64GB DDR4 UDIMM ($103), 1TB NVMe SSD ($60), 500W Flex ATX Gold PSU ($90), Noctua CPU and case fans ($75), plus an equivalent MITX 8-bay chassis with SATA backplane ($159–$180). While this approach offers clear cost savings, it comes with multiple delivery sources, fragmented warranties, and no factory testing—factors that may be important to users prioritizing reliability and vendor accountability over price.

The prebuilt model is best suited to users who want predictable performance, reduced setup time, and consolidated post-sale support. It removes the need for component sourcing, physical assembly, and initial troubleshooting. However, it also imposes some limitations, such as the use of a single 2.5GbE network port and lack of configuration flexibility. Users requiring more advanced networking or GPU options will need to expand via the PCIe slot manually. Overall, the prebuilt HL8 fills a niche for those who want an enterprise-adjacent storage server without the learning curve or integration work required by a ground-up build, but it may be over-specified or overpriced for more self-sufficient users.

The 45Drives Houseton UI Software – Any Good?

The Houston UI platform from 45Drives is built on top of the open-source Cockpit Project, designed to offer users a web-based server management interface with a lightweight footprint.

Its browser-based GUI makes it accessible from any device on the network, and it supports multiple Linux distributions, including Rocky Linux, which is often used as the default OS with Houston UI.

One of the primary strengths of Houston UI is its ZFS management interface. Users can easily create, modify, and monitor ZFS storage pools without needing to interact directly with the command line.

The system allows for selection of RAID types (RAIDZ1, Z2, etc.), VDEV expansion, record size configuration, deduplication, encryption, and adjustable compression — all accessible within a guided, GUI-based setup.

System monitoring is a central feature of Houston UI, with a real-time dashboard showing CPU, memory, network throughput, and active services. It includes disk status indicators, smart monitoring tools, and hardware detail pages.

Some of which include visual layouts depending on motherboard detection. While the graphical presentation is basic compared to Synology DSM, it does provide sufficient system insight for regular administration.

Houston UI also includes a modular service control center, where administrators can enable or disable a wide range of server services such as Samba (SMB), NFS, SSH, and rsync.

Each module is toggleable, and users can configure individual services with editable configuration files directly from the browser. This brings flexibility, while still maintaining visual accessibility for basic tasks.

The task scheduler in Houston UI provides an easy way to set up automated jobs — including backups, updates, power cycling, and network interface toggling.

Unlike many systems that hide these functions under multiple wizards, Houston offers a unified “Tasks” area for managing all routine automations, including custom scripts and cron-based tasks.

A standout feature is the cloud synchronization and backup module, which offers connectivity to cloud platforms such as Amazon S3 and Backblaze B2, as well as support for local-to-remote rsync and FTP targets. It allows users to control bandwidth, frequency, and folder mappings from a single-pane interface — something that’s typically fragmented in competing platforms.

For users running virtual machines, Houston UI includes a KVM-based virtualization manager. This allows the creation and monitoring of guest VMs directly through the browser, including storage provisioning, image selection, CPU/memory configuration, and console access. While not as feature-rich as Proxmox, it’s suitable for lightweight VM workloads and container testing.

Finally, Houston supports module extensions, with 45Drives publishing their own file sharing and ZFS modules via GitHub. These can be installed on any compatible Linux system running Cockpit. This open approach allows users to build their own UI extensions or pull from the community, avoiding platform lock-in and enabling customization well beyond the factory defaults.

45Drives HL8 8-Bay MITX NAS Review – Verdict and Conclusion

The 45Drives HL8, when configured as a chassis with backplane and PSU, represents a refined and deliberate approach to small-form NAS deployment. Priced around $880 USD, this configuration sits well above entry-level alternatives, but the investment is clearly reflected in its enterprise-grade construction, serviceable layout, and attention to detail. With a robust 16-gauge steel chassis, direct-wired SATA backplane, and a high-efficiency 500W Flex ATX PSU pre-installed, it offers an ideal base for users who plan to build a serious and scalable NAS solution without locking themselves into restrictive ecosystems.

The hinged body design, tool-free drive access, and Noctua fan integration show a strong understanding of real-world usability, especially for those who perform ongoing maintenance, upgrades, or hardware experimentation. In that sense, it’s less a typical “consumer NAS case” and more a modular platform intended for long-term infrastructure use in homelab and small business environments.

That said, this is not a universal fit for all users. The HL8’s exclusive support for mini-ITX motherboards imposes limitations on connectivity and expansion, especially for those needing multiple PCIe lanes or additional SATA ports without relying on adapters. And while the internal layout is clearly optimized, buyers still need to be comfortable sourcing and configuring their own motherboard, CPU, memory, and storage—something that could be daunting for beginners or those seeking simplicity over flexibility. In markets where similar 8-bay enclosures from lesser-known brands can be found for half the price, the HL8’s value lies more in its physical build quality, localized production, and long-term viability rather than raw cost efficiency. Users comparing it to entry-tier rackmount gear or compact server cases will need to weigh whether the HL8’s refinement and modularity justify the premium.

Ultimately, the HL8 is a product with a clearly defined audience: self-hosters, IT professionals, and technical users who understand the value of vendor-agnostic hardware and want to retain full control over their system’s lifecycle. It offers a rare middle ground between low-cost DIY setups that require piecemeal integration and fully locked turnkey NAS systems from mainstream brands. For those who are willing to invest not only financially but also in the time and knowledge needed to assemble and manage their NAS environment, the HL8 stands out as one of the most thoughtfully engineered and supportable 8-bay NAS chassis currently on the market.

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