I've been using FreeNAS/NAS4Free for about 5 years now. At the time I built the system, my storage needs were met and I did what I could with my budget. The system has never given me a problem, even with the consideration that it was a transformed desktop system that I converted.
I'm rebuilding from scratch per forum recommendations (server grade everything, ECC, etc), but am looking for some advice for my HDD setup.
I currently have 5 2 TB HGST deskstars in a Z1 config. I'll be moving to Z3. I initially planned on going with 4 TB drives, but that wastes the drives that I currently have. Now, I'm thinking of picking up 6 more 2TB drives and running 11 of them.
Here's my question: 4/5 of the drives I have now were bought at the same time 5 years ago. They've had no problems, but I know they would be more likely to fail at the same time. Is it recommended to keep those drives and add additional drives of the same size? I know that it's ideal to go with new drives from different vendors, but I'd like to have a use for the drives I've already got. Any tips are welcome, and my apologies for the long intro.
I'm rebuilding from scratch per forum recommendations (server grade everything, ECC, etc), but am looking for some advice for my HDD setup.
I currently have 5 2 TB HGST deskstars in a Z1 config. I'll be moving to Z3. I initially planned on going with 4 TB drives, but that wastes the drives that I currently have. Now, I'm thinking of picking up 6 more 2TB drives and running 11 of them.
Here's my question: 4/5 of the drives I have now were bought at the same time 5 years ago. They've had no problems, but I know they would be more likely to fail at the same time. Is it recommended to keep those drives and add additional drives of the same size? I know that it's ideal to go with new drives from different vendors, but I'd like to have a use for the drives I've already got. Any tips are welcome, and my apologies for the long intro.