In Part 17 of the Minisforum MS-A2 Ultimate #homelab Series, we put the Minisforum MS-A2 mini PC through its paces to see if it can handle Nutanix CE 2.1 (AHV).
This isn’t just a quick test — we go through the entire process of installing, configuring, and running Nutanix AHV on the MS-A2, step by step. If you’ve ever wondered whether a compact system can run enterprise-grade hyperconverged infrastructure, this video will show you how it’s done.
Here’s what you’ll learn and see in this deep dive:
Preparing the Installer: We boot the MS-A2, then use Rufus to create a USB ISO installer for Nutanix CE.
Kernel Panic Fix: Early in the boot we hit a kernel panic, but don’t worry — you’ll see how to fix it by disabling PSS support, and then boot Nutanix CE cleanly.
Installing Nutanix CE: Once the installer runs, we select hypervisor, CVM, and data devices, configure host and CVM IP addresses, set subnet/gateway, and accept the EULA.
First Boot & Cluster Setup: After rebooting, Nutanix AHV comes up. We SSH into the host and CVM, check VMs with virsh, and run the key cluster creation commands (full details on GitHub).
Cluster Status & Web Access: With the cluster online, we connect to Prism through the external IP, log in, change passwords, and link to the NEXT account.
Upgrades with LCM: Using Lifecycle Manager, we update the cluster to the latest AHV build, confirming the upgrade process works on the MS-A2.
Creating a VM: We upload ISOs (including Guest Tools), create a network subnet, and build our first VM on Nutanix AHV. You’ll see the MS-A2 handle a 4TB allocation (4096G) without issue.
Running Windows Server 2025: Finally, we boot a Windows Server 2025 ISO, walk through installation, and log in with our configured credentials — proving the MS-A2 can run Windows on top of Nutanix AHV.
By the end of this video, you’ll know exactly what to expect when running Nutanix CE 2.1 on the Minisforum MS-A2 — from install quirks and cluster setup to VM deployment.
Minisforum MS-A2 Can it Play XCP-ng 8.3 LTS Minisforum MS-A2 Series Part 16 Ultimate #homelab
In this episode of Hancock’s VMware Half Hour, we put the Minisforum MS-A2 through its paces to see if it can run XCP-ng 8.3 LTS – the long-term support release of the popular open-source virtualization platform.
From BIOS tweaks to kernel panic fixes, watch step-by-step as we:
Install XCP-ng 8.3 LTS on the MS-A2
Overcome BIOS issues like PSS and Global C-States causing kernel panics
Configure storage, networking, and system settings during installation
Update and patch XCP-ng with the latest kernel
Deploy Xen Orchestra (XOA) – the XCP-ng equivalent of VMware vCenter Server
Create and run a Windows Server 2025 VM to validate performance
If you’re building a #homelab or exploring alternatives to VMware, this guide will show you how the MS-A2 handles XCP-ng 8.3 LTS as a lightweight and affordable virtualization host.
Minisforum MS-A2 Can it Run ESXi 9.0.0? Minisforum MS-A2 Series Part 11 Ultimate #homelab
Can the Minisforum MS-A2 handle VMware’s latest ESXi 9.0.0?
In Part 11 of the Ultimate #homelab series, we put the MS-A2 to the test with the brand-new VMware vSphere Hypervisor ESXi 9.0. From BIOS boot to creating a demo virtual machine, you’ll see the entire installation process and whether this mini PC can run the latest VMware tech.
Can the powerful Minisforum MS-A2 run VMware vSphere 8.0?
In Part 10 of the Ultimate #homelab series, we put this compact beast to the test by installing VMware vSphere Hypervisor ESXi 8.0.3g and seeing how it performs. From BIOS setup to creating a demo virtual machine, this episode covers the full journey.
What’s Inside This Video:
Installing ESXi 8.0.3g on the Minisforum MS-A2
BIOS configuration & USB boot with Ventoy
Full ESXi setup walkthrough
Creating & running a test VM
Enabling NVMe Memory Tiering with NVMe namespaces
Checking performance and confirming a successful install
If you’ve been wondering whether the MS-A2 can handle serious VMware workloads in a home lab, this is the episode to watch!
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
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 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!
If you’ve followed Andysworld.org for any length of time, you’ll know I’m always on the lookout for compact, powerful systems that pack a serious punch — especially for virtualization, homelab testing, and edge computing. The Minisforum MS-A2 just landed on my desk, and I couldn’t wait to tear into it, max out the RAM, and see how this tiny monster performs.
Why the Minisforum MS-A2?
Minisforum has carved out a strong niche in the mini PC market, but the MS-A2 is something different. Designed around the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX (a 16-core, 32-thread beast), this unit is built for power users: developers, sysadmins, content creators, and homelab enthusiasts like myself.
The MS-A2 offers:
AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX (Zen 4, 5nm, 16C/32T)
Up to 128GB DDR5 SODIMM RAM
Quadruple PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 slots
Dual 2.5G Ethernet, Dual 10G SFP+
USB 4.0 / HDMI 2.1 / USB-C
Compact footprint with surprisingly good thermals
With specs like that, it’s an ideal candidate for running Proxmox, VMware ESXi, KVM, or even just as a hyper-efficient workstation.
The Unboxing Experience
Right out of the box, the MS-A2 gives off a premium vibe. The packaging is minimalist but well thought out. Inside you’ll find:
The MS-A2 unit itself (dense, solid, well-built)
120W or 180W power adapter (depending on config)
Mounting hardware
User manual and warranty information
Ports are plentiful and logically laid out. It even includes USB 4.0 and dual LAN ports — a must for virtualized networking setups in a homelab.
Installing 128GB DDR5 RAM
This is where things get exciting.
The MS-A2 officially supports up to 128GB of DDR5 SODIMM RAM (2x 64GB modules). While 64GB used to be the ceiling for mini PCs, the MS-A2 pushes those boundaries.
Here’s how I installed the RAM:
Power Down and Open the Chassis: Remove the bottom screws (Torx) and gently lift the cover. The internals are neatly laid out.
Locate the SODIMM Slots: There are two DDR5 SODIMM slots accessible without needing to remove any other components.
Install 2x 64GB DDR5 4800MHz Modules: I used Kingston DDR5 SODIMMs — click, click, done.
Reassemble and Boot: Replace the cover, screw it down, plug it in, and power on.
Check BIOS/UEFI: The system immediately recognised the full 128GB RAM without issue.
Initial Impressions & Performance Potential
I haven’t fully benchmarked it yet, but early signs are strong. This thing is built for virtualization and power-intensive workflows. With 128GB RAM, you could comfortably run:
Nested vSphere or ESXi environments
A full Proxmox VE cluster in one box
Multiple Linux and Windows VMs for testing
Container platforms like Docker, Podman, or Kubernetes
The dual 2.5G NICs are ideal for setting up a virtualized network or using VLANs for isolated testing.
Thermals remained under control during initial tests, thanks to the robust cooling design. The unit is quieter than expected even under moderate load.
Who Is the MS-A2 For?
If you’re:
A homelab enthusiast looking to consolidate noisy, aging servers
A virtualization geek building a portable test lab
A developer or DevOps engineer running VMs or containers
Or just someone wanting a high-end mini PC that doesn’t take up half a desk…
…the MS-A2 is absolutely worth your consideration.
What’s Next?
In the next blog post, I’ll benchmark this machine with:
Proxmox VE running multiple VMs
VMware ESXi 8.0 (yes, it installs!)
Synthetic CPU, disk, and memory benchmarks
Power draw and thermal tests
And maybe even try some GPU passthrough.
Final Thoughts
The Minisforum MS-A2 is a seriously impressive piece of kit. It proves that small doesn’t have to mean slow or limited. With 128GB DDR5 RAM, Ryzen 9 power, and robust I/O, it’s more than capable of replacing a rackmount server for many use cases — and it’ll fit in your backpack.
Stay tuned for more testing, benchmarks, and homelab setup tips.
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