# Helios4

> Open-source 4-bay NAS server board by Kobol, powered by the Marvell Armada 388 SoC, 2GB DDR3, 4× SATA, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, and 12V DC — designed for self-hosted home and SMB network storage.

## Quick Facts

- **Brand:** Kobol
- **Board Type:** linux-sbc
- **Price:** ~$149
- **Product Readiness:** developer
- **CPU:** Dual-core Cortex-A9 @ 1.6GHz (Marvell Armada 388)
- **CPU Architecture:** ARM Cortex-A9
- **CPU Cores:** 2
- **RAM:** 2GB DDR3
- **Flash:** microSD only
- **USB:** USB 3.0 + USB 2.0
- **Power:** 12V DC
- **Operating Voltage:** 3.3V
- **SD Card:** microSD

## Connectivity

- **Ethernet:** Gigabit

## Open Source

- **Status:** fully-open
- **Firmware:** Yes
- **Schematics:** Yes
- **PCB Layout:** Yes

## Compatible Firmware

armbian

## Use Cases

- nas
- self-hosted-storage
- home-server
- backup-server

## Components

- **Marvell-Armada-388** (soc): Marvell Armada 388 (88F6828) dual-core Cortex-A9 @ 1.6GHz SoC with hardware crypto engine, optimized for networking and NAS. — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marvell.com%2Fproducts%2Finfrastructure-processors%2Fnetworking-and-gateway%2Farmada-38x.html&ref=openhardware.directory&product=helios4&source=md-export)

## Description

## Overview

The Helios4 is a fully open-source 4-bay NAS server board from Kobol Innovations, built around the Marvell Armada 388 dual-core Cortex-A9 SoC. Designed from the ground up for network-attached storage, it features four dedicated SATA 3.0 ports for connecting 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch hard drives or SSDs, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, and 2GB of DDR3 RAM — providing everything needed to build a capable self-hosted storage server.

The board's open-hardware design is one of its defining features: all schematics, PCB layout files, and mechanical drawings are published under open licenses on GitHub, making it one of the most transparent NAS platforms available. It runs Armbian with full community support, enabling users to deploy OpenMediaVault, Nextcloud, Samba, or custom storage stacks with mature, well-tested software stacks on reliable Armada 388 hardware known for its robust networking and storage subsystems.

Powered by a standard 12V DC supply and housed in a compact custom enclosure design published by Kobol, the Helios4 targets home users and small businesses who want full control over their data without relying on commercial NAS appliances. Its combination of fully open hardware, strong Armbian support, and the battle-tested Marvell networking stack make it an enduring platform for self-hosted private cloud storage.

## Where to Buy

- [Buy for $149](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fkobol.io%2Fhelios4%2F&ref=openhardware.directory&product=helios4&source=md-export)

## Resources

- [product](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fkobol.io%2Fhelios4%2F&ref=openhardware.directory&product=helios4&source=md-export)
- [github](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fkobol-io%2Fhelios4&ref=openhardware.directory&product=helios4&source=md-export)
- [wiki](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.armbian.com%2Fhelios4%2F&ref=openhardware.directory&product=helios4&source=md-export)

## Tags

`nas`, `self-hosted`, `storage`, `marvell`, `armada`, `sata`, `open-hardware`, `home-server`

## Images

![Helios4](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/helios4/36e1d526cbcd.png)

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