--- title: "Smart Home Hubs: Local, Private, Yours | Smart Home Networks & IoT" description: Local smart home hubs that run Home Assistant, ad-blocking, cameras and storage at home. Configured by us and ready to run, with no cloud or subscription. --- [Skip to content](https://homenetworks.com.au/smart-home-hubs#main-content) ![SMH&I](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20Transparency%20-01-300px.png?width=300&height=127&name=Logo%20Transparency%20-01-300px.png)Homepage - Home - Products & Solutions - Networking - [Aruba Instant On](https://homenetworks.com.au/network/hpe-aruba?hsLang=en-au) - [TP-Link Omada](https://homenetworks.com.au/network/tplink-omada?hsLang=en-au) - [HPE Juniper Networks](https://homenetworks.com.au/network/hpe-juniper?hsLang=en-au) - Smart Home Controllers - Home Assistant (HAOS) - openHAB - [NUC Build Configurator](https://homenetworks.com.au/smart-home-hubs) - Cameras & Security - IoT Devices - Guides - [What is a smart home](https://homenetworks.com.au/guides/what-is-a-smart-home?hsLang=en-au) - [The building blocks](https://homenetworks.com.au/guides/smart-home-building-blocks?hsLang=en-au) - [Connectivity](https://homenetworks.com.au/guides/smart-home-protocols?hsLang=en-au) - [Controllers](https://homenetworks.com.au/guides/smart-home-ecosystems?hsLang=en-au) - [Networks](https://homenetworks.com.au/guides/smart-home-network?hsLang=en-au) - [Blog](https://homenetworks.com.au/smart-home-networks-and-iot-blog?hsLang=en-au) - [Support](https://homenetworks.com.au/contact-us?hsLang=en-au) - About Us [Shop](https://shop.homenetworks.com.au) - Home - Products & Solutions - Networking - [Aruba Instant On](https://homenetworks.com.au/network/hpe-aruba?hsLang=en-au) - [TP-Link Omada](https://homenetworks.com.au/network/tplink-omada?hsLang=en-au) - [HPE Juniper Networks](https://homenetworks.com.au/network/hpe-juniper?hsLang=en-au) - Smart Home Controllers - Home Assistant (HAOS) - openHAB - [NUC Build Configurator](https://homenetworks.com.au/smart-home-hubs) - Cameras & Security - IoT Devices - Guides - [What is a smart home](https://homenetworks.com.au/guides/what-is-a-smart-home?hsLang=en-au) - [The building blocks](https://homenetworks.com.au/guides/smart-home-building-blocks?hsLang=en-au) - [Connectivity](https://homenetworks.com.au/guides/smart-home-protocols?hsLang=en-au) - [Controllers](https://homenetworks.com.au/guides/smart-home-ecosystems?hsLang=en-au) - [Networks](https://homenetworks.com.au/guides/smart-home-network?hsLang=en-au) - [Blog](https://homenetworks.com.au/smart-home-networks-and-iot-blog?hsLang=en-au) - [Support](https://homenetworks.com.au/contact-us?hsLang=en-au) - About Us [Shop](https://shop.homenetworks.com.au) # Your smart home, running on your own hardware A smart home hub is a small, quiet computer that lives next to your network and runs everything that makes a smart home work locally: Home Assistant or openHAB, a local DNS cache and ad-blocker, your Wi-Fi controller, camera recording and more. It's a **local smart home hub**, so nothing depends on someone else's cloud staying online, changing its pricing, or shutting down. And it's a **private smart home hub**, so your camera footage, routines and data stay inside your house. We offer four hubs. Most homes only ever need the first one. The others are for households that want serious local AI, a lot of cameras, or a proper home for their files. [Compare Hubs](https://homenetworks.com.au/smart-home-hubs?hsLang=en-au#compare) ![Smart\_Home\_Hub-Cabinet](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Smart_Home_Hub-Cabinet.png?width=600&height=450&name=Smart_Home_Hub-Cabinet.png "Smart_Home_Hub-Cabinet") ## Not sure? Start with the Home Hub ![MSI\_Ryzen\_FLD](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/msi/MSI_Ryzen_FLD.webp?width=1000&height=800&name=MSI_Ryzen_FLD.webp) ### Home Hub **Tier:** Hub **Hardware:**  MSI Cubi Z AI 8M, Ryzen 7, 8GB, 1TB  **Where it fits:** Most homes. Runs your smart home platform, ad-blocking, remote access and a handful of cameras. **From $1624.05 configured** (inc. GST) ![MS-S!\_Max\_F](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Minisforum/MS-S!_Max_F.webp?width=1800&height=1800&name=MS-S!_Max_F.webp) ### AI Hub **Tier:** Hub Pro **Hardware:**  Minisforum MS-S1 Max, 128GB / 2TB  **Where it fits:** Local AI and power users. Adds a private voice assistant, lots of AI cameras and room for a whole lab of services. **From $6147.90 configured** (inc. GST), or buy bare from Minisforum ![N5\_\_Air\_AI\_FLD](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Minisforum/N5__Air_AI_FLD.webp?width=1600&height=1600&name=N5__Air_AI_FLD.webp) ### Vault Hub **Tier:** Hub + Storage **Hardware:**  Minisforum N5 Pro, 16GB  **Where it fits:** Storage plus smart home. A five-bay vault for photos, backups and weeks of camera footage, with ECC memory. **From $2215.90 configured** (inc. GST), or buy bare from Minisforum ![N\_\_Max\_AI\_FO](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Minisforum/N__Max_AI_FO.webp?width=2048&height=2048&name=N__Max_AI_FO.webp) ### AI Vault **Tier:** Hub Pro + Storage **Hardware:**  Minisforum N5 Max AI NAS, 64GB **Where it fits:** Storage and local AI in one box. Five drive bays, many AI cameras and a private voice assistant. **From $4243.90 configured** (inc. GST), or buy bare from Minisforum ## What every hub runs Every hub can run the same core services. What changes between them is how many you can run at once, and how hard you can push them. Whatever you call it, a **home automation hub**, a mini PC or a home server, this is the job it does. ### Smart home platform Home Assistant OS or openHAB, the brain that ties your lights, locks, blinds, climate and energy gear together. ### Local DNS and ad-blocking Technitium, Pi-hole or AdGuard, so web pages resolve faster and ads and trackers are blocked for every device in the house. ### Wi-Fi controller The Omada Software Controller, if you have an Omada network and want your logs and settings on your own hardware. ### Zigbee, Z-Wave and Thread A USB coordinator plugged into the hub pairs your smart home devices directly, with no vendor bridge required. ### MQTT broker The messaging layer many smart home devices use to talk to each other. ### Frigate Local camera recording with AI object detection, so you get "person at the front door" alerts without a cloud subscription. ### Tailscale Secure remote access to your home from anywhere, without opening ports on your router. ### Uptime Kuma Keeps an eye on everything above and tells you when something stops. ### Local storage A network share for documents, photos and backups. ![HA-Tablet](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/HA-Tablet.png?width=500&height=375&name=HA-Tablet.png "HA-Tablet") ## Two ways to buy a Minisforum hub  The AI Hub, Vault Hub and AI Vault are built on Minisforum hardware, and you can buy them two ways.  ### Configured by us ### Installed and tested We buy the hardware, then install and test your platform, DNS and ad-blocking, remote access, monitoring and automatic configuration backups before it ships. ### Minisforum's price, no markup You pay Minisforum's price for the hardware. Our charge is a single, clearly listed setup fee for the configuration work. ### Ready to plug in It arrives already set up for its own VLAN in our standard network layout. ### Our checkout, our support Bought through our store, with our support if anything isn't right. ### Buy it bare, direct from Minisforum ### The same hardware No setup, bought straight from Minisforum's Australian store. ### Minisforum ships it Minisforum handles delivery, returns and warranty directly. ### For confident DIYers A good fit if you're comfortable installing Home Assistant, TrueNAS or Proxmox yourself. Each Minisforum product page on our store shows both: the configured hub to add to your cart, and a "Buy direct from Minisforum" link for the bare unit. *If you buy through our Minisforum links, we may earn a commission. It doesn't change the price you pay.* ![MSI\_Ryzen\_FLD](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/msi/MSI_Ryzen_FLD.webp?width=1000&height=800&name=MSI_Ryzen_FLD.webp) ## Home Hub (Hub): MSI Cubi Z **The right choice for most homes.** A compact AMD Ryzen mini PC, small enough to sit on a shelf next to your router and quiet enough that you will forget it is there. It runs every service on this page comfortably, including Frigate for a handful of cameras. **Best for:** families and prosumers who want a reliable local smart home hub, DNS, remote access and a modest file share. **Where it stops:** large camera counts with long recording history, local AI models, and bulk storage for media libraries. If any of those matter to you, look at the hubs below. **How to buy:** configured by us, through our checkout. Shop the Home Hub → ![MS-S!\_Max\_F](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Minisforum/MS-S!_Max_F.webp?width=1800&height=1800&name=MS-S!_Max_F.webp) ## AI Hub (Hub Pro): Minisforum MS-S1 Max **For local AI and power users.** The MS-S1 Max is a workstation-class mini PC built around AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ 395, with 128GB of memory shared between the processor and a powerful integrated graphics engine, and a 2TB SSD. In smart home terms, that means it can run things the Home Hub simply can't. **Best for:** households that want a fully local voice assistant, many cameras with AI detection, or one box that runs a whole lab of services. **Where it stops:** bulk storage. It has fast internal SSD space, but no drive bays. Pair it with a Vault Hub, or choose the AI Vault. **How to buy:** configured by us, or bare direct from Minisforum. Shop the AI Hub → ![N5\_\_Air\_AI\_FLD](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Minisforum/N5__Air_AI_FLD.webp?width=1600&height=1600&name=N5__Air_AI_FLD.webp) ## Vault Hub (Hub + Storage): Minisforum N5 Pro **Storage and smart home in one box, without the top-tier price.** The N5 Pro is a five-bay network storage unit with a 12-core AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 inside. It stores your files and camera recordings and runs your smart home services, and it supports ECC memory, the same error-correcting memory used in business servers, so the data you care about is protected right down to the RAM. **Best for:** homes that want a proper vault for photos, backups and camera footage, with plenty of headroom for smart home services, but don't need large local AI models. **Where it stops:** local AI. It can run a basic local voice assistant, but larger language models and very high camera counts are where the AI Vault earns its place. Like any NAS, it belongs on a cupboard or study shelf, and drives are not included. **How to buy:** configured by us with 16GB or 96GB ECC, or bare direct from Minisforum, including a barebone version if you want to add your own memory. Shop the Vault Hub → ![N\_\_Max\_AI\_FC](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Minisforum/N__Max_AI_FC.webp?width=1800&height=1800&name=N__Max_AI_FC.webp) ## AI Vault (Hub Pro + Storage): Minisforum N5 Max **For storage first, with serious compute to spare.** The N5 Max takes the same five-bay design as the Vault Hub and puts the AI Hub's Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor inside. It's a vault and a high-end smart home hub in one box, so your camera recordings, family photos, backups and a local AI assistant all live on the same machine that runs your home. **Best for:** homes with many cameras and long recording history, large photo or media libraries, and a local voice assistant, all in a single box. **Where it stops:** it's larger than the Home Hub and AI Hub, and needs a cupboard or study shelf rather than a spot behind the TV. Drives are not included, and we size them to what you plan to store. **How to buy:** configured by us, or bare direct from Minisforum. Shop the AI Vault → | | Home Hub | AI Hub | Vault Hub | AI Vault | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Tier | Hub | Hub Pro | Hub + Storage | Hub Pro + Storage | | Hardware | MSI Cubi Z AI 8M | Minisforum MS-S1 Max | Minisforum N5 Pro | Minisforum N5 Max | | Best for | Most homes | Local AI and power users | Storage plus smart home | Storage plus local AI | | Smart home platform, DNS, controller | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Cameras with AI detection | A few | Many | Several, with long history | Many, with long history | | Local voice assistant (LLM) | Basic, small models | Yes | Basic, small models | Yes | | Memory | 16GB DDR5 | 128GB | 16GB or 96GB ECC | 64GB | | Bulk storage | Internal SSD only | 2TB SSD, no drive bays | 5 drive bays plus M.2 slots | 5 drive bays plus 5 M.2 slots | | Networking | Dual 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 6E | Dual 10GbE, Wi-Fi 7 | 10GbE plus 5GbE | Dual 10GbE | | Size | Palm-sized | Small desktop | Desktop NAS | Desktop NAS | | How to buy | Configured by us | Configured, or bare from Minisforum | Configured, or bare from Minisforum | Configured, or bare from Minisforum | **Our advice.** Start with the Home Hub unless you already know you want local AI, a lot of cameras, or a home for your files. If storage is the reason, the Vault Hub suits most homes, and the AI Vault is for when you want local AI in the same box. ![IronWolf\_Pro\_32TB](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/IronWolf_Pro_32TB.png?width=640&height=640&name=IronWolf_Pro_32TB.png) ### Drives for the Vault Hub and AI Vault Neither Vault includes drives, so you can size the storage to what you plan to keep. We stock Seagate IronWolf drives built for 24x7 NAS use: IronWolf for most homes, and IronWolf Pro for larger arrays and longer warranty cover. Add them to a configured Vault and we fit them and set up RAID or ZFS before it ships. Shop NAS hard drives → ### How we set it up - We install and configure it before it arrives. Your platform, DNS, remote access and monitoring are set up and tested to suit the home. - It goes on its own VLAN. We write the firewall rules that let it reach your IoT and camera networks, and nothing more. - Storage is ready to use. On the Vault Hub and AI Vault, any drives you add are fitted and set up with RAID or ZFS and snapshots. - Backups are on from day one. Your configuration is backed up automatically, so a failed SSD is an inconvenience rather than a rebuild. - You own it. No subscription from us to keep it running. If you want ongoing support, we offer that separately. ![S1\_Max\_8-q82-w2560-h](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Minisforum/S1_Max_8-q82-w2560-h.webp?width=1000&height=667&name=S1_Max_8-q82-w2560-h.webp "S1_Max_8-q82-w2560-h") ### Add a hub to any network: A smart home hub works with every network we sell. Network and hub bundles are coming soon: a complete network plus a configured hub, set up together so it all works on day one. ![hpe-instant-on-logo-1](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Vendors/hpe-instant-on-logo-1.png?width=556&height=200&name=hpe-instant-on-logo-1.png) Our #1 pick for most homes. Your hub runs the smart home services alongside a network that's simple to live with. See Aruba Instant On → ![omada-logo](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Vendors/omada-logo.png?width=439&height=200&name=omada-logo.png) Your hub can also host the Omada Software Controller, keeping your Wi-Fi settings and logs on your own hardware. See TP-Link Omada → ![hpe-juniper-logo](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Vendors/hpe-juniper-logo.png?width=489&height=200&name=hpe-juniper-logo.png) For homes that have outgrown prosumer gear. Your hub runs locally alongside the Mist cloud-managed Wi-Fi. See Juniper Mist → What is a smart home hub? It's the always-on computer at the centre of your smart home. It runs the platform that controls your devices, plus services like ad-blocking and camera recording. You may also see it called a home automation hub, a mini PC, a home server or a NUC. It's the same job. Do I need a hub to have a smart home? No. Plenty of smart homes run on vendor apps and cloud services. A local hub is for people who want their home to keep working when the internet is down, keep their data at home, and avoid ongoing subscriptions. Who handles warranty? For a bare unit bought from Minisforum, Minisforum handles warranty and returns directly. For a configured hub bought from us, contact us first and we'll take it from there. Is the AI Hub overkill for Home Assistant? For Home Assistant alone, yes. You choose it for what runs alongside: a local voice assistant, a lot of cameras, or a lab of other services. If none of those appeal, the Home Hub is the better buy. Can a Vault replace my existing NAS? Yes. On a configured Vault we can migrate your files across, and it will run your smart home services on top. It also makes a good home for backups of every computer in the house. Are they noisy? The Home Hub and AI Hub are quiet enough for a living area under normal load. The Vault Hub and AI Vault have spinning hard drives and cooling fans, so we recommend a cupboard, study or garage shelf. What happens if it fails? Your network keeps working, because the hub is not part of it. Smart home automations pause until it is back. On a configured hub, configuration backups mean we can restore onto replacement hardware quickly. [![SMH&I](https://homenetworks.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20Transparency%20-01-300px.png?width=300&height=127&name=Logo%20Transparency%20-01-300px.png "SMH&I")](https://homenetworks.com.au/?hsLang=en-au) We build networks for Aussie homes who've outgrown their ISP router or basic mesh WiFi. From prosumer WiFi and smart home automation (HAOS, openHAB) to mini PC home servers, we design systems that just work.  Smart Home Networks and IoT Baulkham Hills, NSW, 2153 0417-427-106 sales@homenetworks.com.au --- Privacy Policy · Legal · © 2026. All rights reserved.