The easiest approach is using CasaOS on top of Ubuntu Desktop.
CasaOS provides a beautiful, click-to-install dashboard (like an app store) that handles Docker for you behind the scenes. Using Ubuntu Desktop gives you a regular visual interface (GUI) so you do not have to rely entirely on text commands.
Phase 1: Install Ubuntu Desktop
1. Download the free Ubuntu Desktop LTS installer on a working computer.
2. Flash it onto an empty USB drive using a free tool like Rufus or BalenaEtcher.
3. Plug the USB into your Mini PC, boot from it, and follow the on-screen prompts to install Ubuntu. (Choose “Erase disk and install Ubuntu”).
Phase 2: Install CasaOS (The App Dashboard)
Once Ubuntu is running, open the Terminal application (press Ctrl + Alt + T) and run this single command to install your dashboard:
curl -fsSL https://casaos.io | sudo bash
When it finishes, the terminal will show you a local web address (e.g., http://192.168.1.50). Type that address into any web browser on your home network to open your new Mini PC dashboard.
Phase 3: Install Plex and Pi-hole
Inside the CasaOS browser interface, click on the App Store icon.
* To install Plex: Find Plex in the store, click Install, and wait 60 seconds. It will appear on your dashboard. Click it to open the Plex setup wizard.
* To install Pi-hole: Find Pi-hole in the store and click Install.
Critical Step for Pi-hole
Because Pi-hole acts as your network shield, it needs to block port 53 (the DNS port). Sometimes Ubuntu has a built-in service that steals this port. If Pi-hole fails to start or throw an error, open your Ubuntu Terminal one last time and paste these lines to free up the port:
sudo systemctl stop systemd-resolved
sudo systemctl disable systemd-resolved
Final Network Tweak
To make Pi-hole actually block ads on your devices, log into your home internet router’s settings. Change the DNS Server address to match the IP address of your Mini PC.
You can find your Mini PC’s IP address directly from the Mini PC itself, or by using another device on your network. [1, 2]
## Method 1: Directly on the Mini PC (Easiest)
Since you are using Ubuntu Desktop, you can find it visually or with a quick command.
Option A: Using the Visual Settings
1. Click the network icon (Wi-Fi or Wired) in the top-right corner of the screen.
2. Click Settings (or the gear icon next to your network name).
3. Look for IPv4 Address. It will look like 192.168.1.X or 10.0.0.X. [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
Option B: Using the Terminal
1. Open the Terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T).
2. Type ip a and press Enter.
3. Look for your main network adapter (usually starts with enp for ethernet or wlp for Wi-Fi). Your IP address will be the numbers right after the word inet. [8, 9, 10, 11]
——————————
## Method 2: From Your Phone or Main Computer
If your Mini PC is plugged into a TV across the room without a keyboard, you can find it using your current device.
Option A: Use a Mobile App (Fastest)
1. Download a free network scanning app like Fing (available for iOS and Android).
2. Connect your phone to your home Wi-Fi and tap Scan for devices.
3. Look through the list for “Ubuntu”, “Beelink”, “GMKTec”, or the brand of your mini PC to see its IP. [12, 13, 14, 15]
Option B: Look at Your Router Dashboard
1. Log into your home router’s admin page (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser).
2. Look for a section named Device List, DHCP Client List, or Connected Devices.
3. Locate your Mini PC in the list to find its assigned IP address. [16, 17, 18, 19]
——————————
⚠️ Crucial Step for Servers: Set a “Static IP” [20, 21]
By default, routers change your Mini PC’s IP address every few weeks. If the IP changes, your Plex and Pi-hole web dashboards will stop opening at the old address. [22]
To lock it in place, look inside your router’s settings for DHCP Reservation or Static IP Allocation. Find your Mini PC in that menu and click “Save” or “Reserve” so its IP address never changes again. [23, 24, 25]
[1] [https://nzlw.co.nz](https://nzlw.co.nz/tech-posts/pihole-and-a-cheap-mini-pc/)
[2] [https://www.youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHTi7mJlL7c)
[3] [https://nordvpn.com](https://nordvpn.com/blog/raspberry-pi-ip-address/)
[4] [https://support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/connect-to-a-wi-fi-network-in-windows-1f881677-b569-0cd5-010d-e3cd3579d263)
[5] [https://www.slashgear.com](https://www.slashgear.com/1726186/how-to-set-static-ip-address-raspberry-pi/)
[6] [https://opensource.com](https://opensource.com/article/18/5/how-find-ip-address-linux)
[7] [https://brainly.in](https://brainly.in/question/56817564)
[8] [https://www.ionos.co.uk](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/hosting/technical-matters/get-linux-ip-address/)
[9] [https://www.zdnet.com](https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/networking/how-to-find-your-ip-address-in-any-operating-system-and-why-youd-want-to/)
[10] [https://www.industrialshields.com](https://www.industrialshields.com/blog/arduino-industrial-1/how-to-change-the-ip-in-windows-and-linux-242)
[11] [https://www.itarian.com](https://www.itarian.com/blog/how-do-i-find-the-ip-of-my-computer/)
[12] [https://github.com](https://github.com/homebridge/homebridge-raspbian-image/wiki/How-To-Find-IP-Address)
[13] [https://superuser.com](https://superuser.com/questions/690374/cant-find-my-ip-address-for-my-network-attached-storage)
[14] [https://community.element14.com](https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/stem-academy/b/blog/posts/access-raspberry-pi-gui-and-command-line-from-your-windows-machine-using-ssh-and-vnc)
[15] [https://www.groovypost.com](https://www.groovypost.com/unplugged/find-ip-address-computers-desktop-home-network/)
[16] [https://h30434.www3.hp.com](https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printer-Wireless-Networking-Internet/IP-address/td-p/8984049)
[17] [https://blog.comodo.com](https://blog.comodo.com/pc-security/how-do-i-find-the-ip-of-my-computer/)
[18] [https://help.simplyprint.io](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/find-the-ip-of-your-raspberry-pi-t2318c/)
[19] [https://busys.ca](https://busys.ca/blog/how-to-find-printer-ip-address/)
[20] [https://community.appinventor.mit.edu](https://community.appinventor.mit.edu/t/scan-local-network-to-get-the-ip-address/11286)
[21] [https://us.informatiweb.net](https://us.informatiweb.net/tutorials/it/windows/set-a-static-lan-ip-address.html)
[22] [https://shivanshbakshi.dev](https://shivanshbakshi.dev/blog/home-server/pt-1-setting-up-the-network/)
[23] [https://www.netmaker.io](https://www.netmaker.io/resources/static-ip)
[24] [https://www.forward.com.au](https://www.forward.com.au/pfod/HomeAutomation/ConnectingIoT/index.html)
[25] [https://devconnected.com](https://devconnected.com/how-to-get-your-ip-address-on-linux/)