Storage Config Question

[DaviesJones 0]

I've posted this question everywhere and can't seem to get a single response or any information. I understand that Google exists, but I just prefer the knowledge of first hand experience rather than articles and Youtube videos using random hardware..

Current Config:
Dell Optiplex 3060 (i5-9500T) - Emby & .arr Host
QNAP TS-253A NAS - Media Storage via Mapped Network Drive

I'm in the market for a storage upgrade, and wanted to get an idea of what my best options are config-wise for this specific matter. My NAS is operating fine and is an efficient little system, but I am concerned about longevity and data stability considering it's age, so I would rather utilize it for less important files and whatnot.

*I do not have room for a big rack setup, or anything larger than a 2 - 4 bay enclosure.*
My setup exists in a small closet off the master bedroom, I have a 2.5 year old as well as my wife's cats, so I can't relocate the system or make it excessively large.
(A rack mount is definitely a future plan, but for now, I just need something compact and stable that can accommodate my ever expanding library)

Quick glances at Amazon have lead me to consider either this Mediasonic USB 3.2 4 Bay or this Yottamaster 4 Bay (maybe even this?), but I am curious if anybody here has experience with these devices, or if you would have a better suggestion. I plan on snagging three 8tb HDD's to put inside of it (alongside one that I already own).

My other struggle is with deciding how I want to configure the storage options of the drives themselves, as there are several avenues I could take for this. (RAID, Storage Pool, etc.)
So, in the DUMBEST way possible, can somebody break down the big distinctions between RAID, and utilizing the Storage Spaces tool in Windows to create a storage pool, and also decipher which option would be best for long term use and stability?

My preferences are few as far as the storage operation itself, and is pretty much:
- I want all of the drives to behave as one, and not have to navigate several drives to organize my files (movies, shows, etc.)
- In the event that one drive should fail, I would not lose all of my data.

Thanks!

[RanmaCanada 437]

The problem with usb housings like this is they drop out frequently. If you have the money, why not look at a jonsbro case and migrate everything to them?

https://www.amazon.com/N1-Mini-ITX-Chassis-Computer-Aluminum/dp/B09WZLHCZG/ 

https://www.amazon.com/N2-Aluminum-Support-Integrated-Removable/dp/B0BQJ6BCB7/

https://www.amazon.com/Mini-ITX-Chassis-Computer-Aluminum-Support/dp/B0CMVBMVHT/

I listed them in increasing sizes just to give you an idea.

I sadly can't answer your second question about dumbing things down though as I do not have the experience to do so as I've never used windows storage spaces. I would personally either go TrueNAS or UNRAID.  Though as you want to upgrade later, UNRAID would be the preferable option. And then it can get complicated quickly.

[DaviesJones 0]

On 6/22/2024 at 12:39 AM, RanmaCanada said:

The problem with usb housings like this is they drop out frequently. If you have the money, why not look at a jonsbro case and migrate everything to them?

https://www.amazon.com/N1-Mini-ITX-Chassis-Computer-Aluminum/dp/B09WZLHCZG/ 

https://www.amazon.com/N2-Aluminum-Support-Integrated-Removable/dp/B0BQJ6BCB7/

https://www.amazon.com/Mini-ITX-Chassis-Computer-Aluminum-Support/dp/B0CMVBMVHT/

I listed them in increasing sizes just to give you an idea.

I sadly can't answer your second question about dumbing things down though as I do not have the experience to do so as I've never used windows storage spaces. I would personally either go TrueNAS or UNRAID.  Though as you want to upgrade later, UNRAID would be the preferable option. And then it can get complicated quickly.

After some research, I've decided I'm going to pick up this Yottamaster off of eBay, as the price is excellent and everything I've seen aligns the device to the Terramaster and the Probox respectively.

I did look into constructing my own NAS and/or DAS device, but I generally just do not have a use for something like that currently.

What I think I'm going to do as far as storage config and backups is utilize storage spaces within Windows to allocate the drives in the enclosure and mount them as one pool to the system, then use two offsite Drives to backup the Optiplex and the data stored on the bay respectively (x1 1tb SSD for Optiplex, x1 10tb HDD for Media).
It'll be a bit more of a task that way, but I already run manual backups once a month anyway so it won't be much more of a headache. Offsite backups seem to be the most effective for data stability anyway, and I'd rather spend an hour once a month transferring data than 2 weeks redownloading an entire library lol. 

Edited June 24, 2024 by DaviesJones