dtrobson099
Cadet
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2012
- Messages
- 3
I've been Googling/searching/reading for two hours now, and it's probably because I'm not asking the right questions, but I can't grasp some of the nuances of FreeNAS vs. unRAID.
I've been using unRAID for a month or so now, and I had a drive failure... or SMART errors. I don't really understand that stuff - but rudimentary Googling on my situation convinced me to RMA the drive. That didn't really solve the problem and now I can't access my user shares. I read the unRAID forums and see that it's been a LONG time since they released an updated version (for paid software) and I really don't want to give an outfit like that any more money when I expand my array. Hence my curiosity in switching to FreeNAS.
The reason I was using unRAID was because I have a 10 drive tower and only 6 2TB drives ATM. I was planning on using ZFS, but the thought of trying to migrate a 10TB array makes me shudder. I'd love to use RAIDZ1 or RAIDZ2, but expandability is a problem. I realize much has been written on the subject, and I think I have a strategy based on this, but I want to be sure my theory is sound.
For the time being, I would like to fill my case with cheapo 20GB hard drives just to get the array up to 10 drives. Later, as 3TB drives and 4TB drives become available and the prices work their way down, I'd like to replace these drives to expand my array.
I want a "one-stop shop" for my files. I love the user shares experience with unRAID. Everything sits inside my NAT firewall at home, so I have zero need for additional security. I've been reading up on FreeNAS, but without actually messing around with it, it's hard to understand if they have a similar ability. Or, since it's RAID, is it just one big drive and I break it into folders? That's fine too.... actually I probably prefer that. I do apologize in advance for the stupid questions - it's just hard for me to visualize based on what I'm reading so far.
I've noticed that recommendations are to split the array when I've got 10 drives... I really would rather not...
Ultimate goal here is an array of 10 4TB drives with 2 drives assigned to parity, and maybe one assigned to caching if performance is that bad. At that point I would hope that I have enough, but I suppose if it wasn't I could always swap out 4TB drives for 6TB or 10TB drives that far into the future.
I've been using unRAID for a month or so now, and I had a drive failure... or SMART errors. I don't really understand that stuff - but rudimentary Googling on my situation convinced me to RMA the drive. That didn't really solve the problem and now I can't access my user shares. I read the unRAID forums and see that it's been a LONG time since they released an updated version (for paid software) and I really don't want to give an outfit like that any more money when I expand my array. Hence my curiosity in switching to FreeNAS.
The reason I was using unRAID was because I have a 10 drive tower and only 6 2TB drives ATM. I was planning on using ZFS, but the thought of trying to migrate a 10TB array makes me shudder. I'd love to use RAIDZ1 or RAIDZ2, but expandability is a problem. I realize much has been written on the subject, and I think I have a strategy based on this, but I want to be sure my theory is sound.
For the time being, I would like to fill my case with cheapo 20GB hard drives just to get the array up to 10 drives. Later, as 3TB drives and 4TB drives become available and the prices work their way down, I'd like to replace these drives to expand my array.
I want a "one-stop shop" for my files. I love the user shares experience with unRAID. Everything sits inside my NAT firewall at home, so I have zero need for additional security. I've been reading up on FreeNAS, but without actually messing around with it, it's hard to understand if they have a similar ability. Or, since it's RAID, is it just one big drive and I break it into folders? That's fine too.... actually I probably prefer that. I do apologize in advance for the stupid questions - it's just hard for me to visualize based on what I'm reading so far.
I've noticed that recommendations are to split the array when I've got 10 drives... I really would rather not...
Ultimate goal here is an array of 10 4TB drives with 2 drives assigned to parity, and maybe one assigned to caching if performance is that bad. At that point I would hope that I have enough, but I suppose if it wasn't I could always swap out 4TB drives for 6TB or 10TB drives that far into the future.