Learn how to install Armbian 23 XFCE on the Orange Pi Zero 3 with this step-by-step guide. From downloading the image and flashing the microSD card to the initial boot and desktop configuration, this tutorial covers everything you need to get your lightweight Linux system up and running.
Starting with a forgotten laptop and a desire to keep learning Linux, this homelab journey spans five years of upgrades, unexpected failures, budget hardware, and self-hosted services that eventually became the foundation for my personal projects and websites.
Originally started as a learning project, NetElla HomeLab has evolved into a production environment hosting websites, cloud storage, monitoring, backup, and development services.
This tutorial covers how to install Armbian Bookworm (CLI) on the Orange Pi Zero 3, including image preparation, flashing, and basic system configuration. Ideal for users setting up a lightweight Armbian-based server.