I am new to HA (coming from Hubitat). I have an Intel NUC to run my HA system on. It has a 180G SSD.
My question is: Should I install a version of Linux so I can use it of other things? I have no current plans but since this is new I was thinking it might be useful. OR should I just install HAOS and be done with it.
If I do install Linux, I assume I would install HAOS in a container. If I do this will HAOS be “sandboxed” from the Linux system?
I’m not looking for a how to but a feeling for the higher level information.
Proxmox is the go-to these days. That said, you can install HAOS bare metal and run common software like for example Pihole through that. If you like to tinker, definitely have a look at Proxmox. Proxmox gives you all the virtualization benefits like snapshots, easy migration and is way more suitable if you plan on running other virtual machines or containers.
There is container install which HA is in a docker in another OS.
There is a VM install of HAOS which HAOS runs in a virtual machine in another OS.
There is HAOS install which takes over the machine.
I prefer the last one. It’s the easiest to setup and maintain. The others need more TLC.