[BobbyTables2]

A minimal Alpine Linux install is what — 10MB?

A minimal Debian/AlmaLinux install is closer to 1G.

What did we gain with 100X the space, larger attack surface, and configuration complexity?

Even hardware is this way…

Look at the weight and power requirements of a SFF PC.

Then look at a blade server… Still requires heavy steel case, heavier than SFF PC because it’s larger, only job is to fit into heavy steel enclosure. Enclosure requires beefy steel rack to handle weight.

Every layer makes logical sense but the end result does not!!

Older NAS servers held multiple 3.5” drives (heavy), requiring big power supply. Now a plastic clip holds NVMe drives onto a motherboard — no steel!