Minisforum MS-A2 NVMe namespaces U.2 Samsung PM9A3 Minisforum MS-A2 Series Part 9 Ultimate #homelab
In this episode of Hancock’s VMware Half Hour, we walk through configuring NVMe namespaces on a Samsung U.2 PMA9A3 enterprise SSD using the MINISFORUM MS-A2.
You’ll learn what U.2 NVMe SSDs are, their benefits in enterprise and homelab environments, and how to create, format, and attach namespaces for specific use cases like ESXi OS installs, NVMe memory tiering, and vSAN.
We also cover hands-on NVMe CLI commands in Ubuntu, capacity checks, alignment considerations, and how to avoid fake or counterfeit SSDs.
All the commands used in this video are here on GitHub
Minisforum MS-A2 Can it Play Doom The Dark Ages Minisforum MS-A2 Series Part 8 Ultimate #homelab
DOOM: The Dark Ages Demo on a Minisforum MS-A2 + RTX 3090 eGPU!? ?
You read that right — I’ve upgraded the tiny Minisforum MS-A2 with a serious punch: an OcuLink-connected eGPU dock and a NVIDIA RTX 3090. Now the question is… can it finally handle DOOM: The Dark Ages?
In this video, I run the DOOM: The Dark Ages demo on this mini PC beast-hybrid and test just how much performance you can squeeze out of a small form-factor PC when paired with high-end external graphics.
?? System Setup:
Minisforum MS-A2 (Ryzen AI Mini PC)
Minisforum eGPU Dock with OcuLink
NVIDIA RTX 3090 GPU
128GB RAM, NVMe SSD
Windows 11
? What You’ll See:
Full DOOM: The Dark Ages demo gameplay
Performance stats, FPS, temps
Commentary on eGPU setup, compatibility, and bottlenecks
Was it worth upgrading the MS-A2 with an RTX 3090?
? Have questions about the eGPU dock, OcuLink, or the MS-A2? Drop them in the comments!
? Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications if you love seeing small PCs pushed to the limit.
Purchase a #homelab here
Barebone Minisforum MS-A2 https://amzn.to/3GEoiOA
Crucial DDR5 RAM 96GB Kit (2x48GB) 5600MHz SODIMM https://amzn.to/3Uatfl4
Crucial DDR5 RAM 128GB Kit (2x64GB) 5600MHz SODIMM,https://amzn.to/3Uhef4U
Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink https://amzn.to/4ePjYsr
Crucial P310 NVMe 1TB 2230 M.2 SSD https://amzn.to/44x055Y
NFHK M.2(A+E Key) 2230MM to NVME M-Key Extension Card Adapter for Motherboard NVME SSD Hard Drive Port Extension 2230/2242/2260/2280MM https://amzn.to/3Ix7rxz
MINISFORUM DEG1 Docking Station, PCIe x16 (PCIe4.0x4), Force Power On, ATX/SFX Power https://amzn.to/41pIYAQ
Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Hancock’s VMware Half Hour
? Enjoying the content? Support me with an espresso coffee! ? Buy Me an Espresso Coffee! – https://buymeacoffee.com/einsteinagogo
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? Want to support British beekeeping? Get RAW PURE honey here! ?https://meltonbyhoney.com/ Sorry UK only, unless demand increases to international destinations!
In today’s video, I ask the age-old question: Can it run DOOM?
Spoiler: Classic DOOM (1993)? Oh yeah — it runs great. Smooth, fast, and just as demon-slaying as ever.
DOOM: The Dark Ages though? ? …Well, that’s a different story.
I test out the Minisforum MS-A2, a compact mini PC powered by AMD’s latest tech, to see how it handles both the original retro shooter and the upcoming next-gen entry in the DOOM franchise. From pixelated corridors to modern hellscapes, how far can this tiny system go?
Specs Overview:
CPU: AMD Ryzen™ 9 9955HX
GPU: AMD 610 Radeon Graphics 2GB
RAM/Storage: 128GB RAM/Samsung 990 PRO 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD
What You’ll See:
Running Classic DOOM
Attempting to tackle DOOM: The Dark Ages
Honest performance impressions
A few laughs along the way
Purchase a #homelab here
Barebone Minisforum MS-A2 https://amzn.to/3GEoiOA
Crucial DDR5 RAM 96GB Kit (2x48GB) 5600MHz SODIMM https://amzn.to/3Uatfl4
Crucial DDR5 RAM 128GB Kit (2x64GB) 5600MHz SODIMM,https://amzn.to/3Uhef4U
Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink https://amzn.to/4ePjYsr
Crucial P310 NVMe 1TB 2230 M.2 SSD https://amzn.to/44x055Y
NFHK M.2(A+E Key) 2230MM to NVME M-Key Extension Card Adapter for Motherboard NVME SSD Hard Drive Port Extension 2230/2242/2260/2280MM https://amzn.to/3Ix7rxz
Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Hancock’s VMware Half Hour
Enjoying the content? Support me with an espresso coffee! ? Buy Me an Espresso Coffee! – https://buymeacoffee.com/einsteinagogo
Donate – https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/AndrewHancock
Want to support British beekeeping? Get RAW PURE honey here! ?https://meltonbyhoney.com/ Sorry UK only, unless demand increases to international destinations!
In this episode of Hancock’s VMware Half Hour, we walk through creating an Offline Depot using a Python script to support VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0 deployments in air-gapped or isolated environments. We begin with a brief update on the VCF Installer, remove previously downloaded components, and disconnect our offline repository from a Synology NAS. Then we dive into the technical steps—running a Python script on Ubuntu using the http_server_auth.py script from GitHub, mounting an NFS export, verifying FQDN configuration, and checking access to the depot via a web browser. Finally, we show how to configure the VCF Installer to use this offline depot, perform downloads directly to the installer, and verify SSH shell activity to ensure everything is working correctly. This practical guide is ideal for anyone managing VCF in restricted environments or those who need a secure and reusable local depot setup.
HOW TO: Create an Offline Depot with a Synology NAS | VCF 9.0 Component Deployment Guide
In this video, we walk through the step-by-step process of creating an offline depot using a Synology NAS for VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0. Whether you’re dealing with limited internet access or building a secure deployment workflow, this guide will help you set up a fully functional offline repository that integrates seamlessly with the VCF installer.
As of July 30th, Broadcom has released updated VCF 9.0 metadata, and we’ll use that to demonstrate how to populate the repo.
What You’ll Learn:
How to install and configure the Web Station and Apache HTTP Server 2.4 on Synology
How to enable Basic Authentication required by VCF
Where to upload and extract the VCF 9.0 metadata bundle
How to verify access via browser and the VCF 9.0 installer
How to Install Windows Server 2025 on the Minisforum MS-A2
In this video, I walk you through the complete step-by-step process of installing Windows Server 2025 on the compact yet powerful MINISFORUM MS-A2 mini PC.
What You’ll Learn:
How to prepare your bootable USB with Windows Server 2025
BIOS/UEFI configuration on the MS-A2
Installing Windows Server 2025 from scratch
Initial setup and configuration
Performance and compatibility overview
Not sure Windows Server 2025 is designed to run on the MS-A2 because lack of drivers, still in discussions with Minisforum! Checkout the forced driver install!
Welcome back to Andysworld! — where homelab dreams come to life, one project at a time.
In Part 3 of our Minisforum MS-A2 Series, we’re diving into the ultimate upgrade combo: installing a high-speed NVMe SSD and setting up Windows 11 on this tiny powerhouse. If you’ve been following along, you already know we’ve upgraded the hardware and reconfigured the internals — now it’s time to breathe life into it.
Why the MS-A2 Deserves NVMe + Windows 11
The Minisforum MS-A2 continues to impress with its powerful Ryzen APU, dual-channel DDR5 support, and surprisingly modular design. But to unlock its true potential in a modern homelab, we need:
? Fast, reliable storage (via NVMe SSD) ? A clean, up-to-date OS install (Windows 11 Pro FTW) ? Flexibility for running VMs, containers, or lab workloads
Step 1: Installing the NVMe SSD
Whether you’re using the primary M.2 NVMe slot or (as we showed in Part 2) the secondary A+E Key slot, here’s how we did it:
Power off the device and remove the bottom panel.
Insert the Samsung NVMe SSD into the M.2 slot.
Secure it with the retaining screw.
(Optional) Add a heat sink or thermal pad if you’re planning to run it hard.
Reassemble and power up!
? Confirmed: BIOS detected the SSD on first boot — no drama.
Step 2: Installing Windows 11
Now that we’ve got our drive ready, let’s get Windows 11 installed:
Boot the MS-A2 and hit DEL or F7 to enter the BIOS/boot menu.
Select the USB installer and follow the prompts.
Choose custom install and select your NVMe SSD.
Complete the install and apply your license key or link your Microsoft account.
? Tip: Disable TPM and Secure Boot in the BIOS if you encounter issues — though the MS-A2 should support them natively.
First Boot – Lightning Fast!
Windows 11 boots in under 10 seconds thanks to the NVMe SSD. With DDR5 and Ryzen onboard, the desktop is snappy and responsive — ideal for:
Hyper-V, WSL2, or VMware Workstation
Remote Desktop Gateway
Lightweight game streaming or media server
Home automation or dev work
Final Thoughts: A Tiny Titan for the #homelab
The Minisforum MS-A2 is proving itself as a top-tier mini PC for lab use, and this Part 3 upgrade cements its place in Andysworld!’s go-to toolkit.
Whether you’re deploying Windows, Linux, Proxmox, or VMware, getting fast local storage and a clean OS install is the foundation of a great setup — and this one ticks all the boxes.
? Coming in Part 4: Exploring Performance Benchmarks and Virtualization Capabilities.
? Be sure to watch the YouTube companion video for this build and subscribe for more homelab tips, bees (yes, bees ?), and tech wizardry.
Until next time — Stay fast, stay flexible, and keep building. — Andy @ Andysworld!
In Part 6 of the Minisforum MS-A2 Series, we show you how to migrate VMware ESXi Virtual Machines (VMs) to Microsoft Hyper-V on Windows Server 2025 — using the powerful and compact Minisforum MS-A2 as the ultimate homelab platform.
This video features Veeam Backup & Replication v12.3 to safely back up your ESXi VMs and restore them directly to Hyper-V. It’s a clean and efficient migration method for anyone exploring life after VMware.
Whether you’re planning a full platform switch or testing a hybrid setup, you’ll find practical, step-by-step guidance from backup to restore — with key gotchas and tips throughout.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Preparing VMware ESXi VMs for migration
Creating backups using Veeam v12.3
Restoring backups to Microsoft Hyper-V
Configuring networking, storage, and integration services
Post-migration testing and optimization
Real-world advice for homelabbers and IT professionals
Perfect for #homelab enthusiasts, sysadmins, and IT pros evaluating alternatives to VMware.
Got questions or want to share your experience? Drop a comment below!
Like this video if it helped you
Subscribe and hit the bell to follow the full MS-A2 homelab journey
In today’s hardware deep-dive, we’re making a bold swap inside the Minisforum MS-A2 mini workstation — removing the built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card and replacing it with an NVMe M.2 SSD using the A+E Key slot. Yes, that’s right: we’re trading wireless convenience for high-speed storage, and it’s a swap that may surprise you with how useful it can be.
Why Replace the Wi-Fi Card?
For most users, the built-in wireless is more than enough. But in a lab environment, edge deployment, or media server use case, you may not need Wi-Fi at all — especially if you’re running on wired Ethernet.
Instead, using that M.2 A+E Key slot to install an NVMe SSD can:
Expand fast local storage
Speed up data access for virtual machines or containers
Offer better thermal performance than using external drives
And that’s exactly what we did.
The Upgrade in Action
Check out the image above, where the former Wi-Fi card once sat — it’s now replaced with a slick Samsung NVMe drive, mounted directly into the A+E Key slot. The process was straightforward:
How We Did It:
Power off and open the MS-A2 case.
Carefully disconnect the Wi-Fi antenna leads and remove the wireless card secured by a single screw.
Insert your NVMe M.2 SSD (compatible with A+E Key) into the same slot.
Screw it down.
Boot into BIOS or OS to verify the drive is detected.
No adapters, no BIOS hacks — it just works!
What to Watch Out For
Compatibility: The A+E key slot must support PCIe lanes for NVMe. Some devices may restrict use to Wi-Fi cards only.
Boot Support: Not all systems support booting from drives in this slot, so we’re using it strictly for additional storage.
Thermals: NVMe drives can get warm. If you’re using it heavily, consider a heat spreader like we’ve installed.
Final Thoughts from Andysworld!
This swap is a brilliant use of underutilized hardware real estate. If you’ve hard-wired your Minisforum MS-A2 and don’t need the wireless module, this is a clever hack to expand your high-speed storage without touching your main NVMe slot.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve done a similar mod or if you want help checking whether your own mini-PC supports this trick.
Don’t forget to check out the YouTube video thumbnail we created to go with this upgrade and subscribe for more mini PC hacks, homelab tips, and tech adventures.
Until next time — keep tweaking, hacking, and learning.
Welcome back to another episode of Hancock’s VMware Half Hour! In this video, we take you step-by-step through updating the UEFI BIOS on the Minisforum MS-A2, upgrading from version 1.0.1 to 1.0.2 – all from a very hot #homelab (35°C!).
We walk through downloading the BIOS update, prepping the system (disabling Secure Boot), launching the UEFI shell, and flashing the firmware using EfiFlash.nsh. There’s even a little pop culture nod to Toto and The Wizard of Oz ??, plus a shout-out to VMware vExperts like Daniel Kreiger, William Lam, and Stephen Wagner!
Chapters Included:
Setting up the MS-A2 for flashing
Booting into the UEFI Shell
Running the flash process
Successfully installing BIOS 1.0.2
VMware vExpert tips and how to apply
Post-update validation
Whether you’re a fellow VMware homelabber or just updating your own MS-A2 device, this guide will walk you through it with humour, precision, and heat-induced delirium.
Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe and Share if this helped you out!
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