Disk format recommendations for Backup-Only Server?

[rmflint]

I am looking for recommendations on the which Raid level to use for a backup-only server to maximize disk space.

I am building two separate FreeNAS servers: one as a file server (mainly streaming media) and the other for backups only. My question pertains to the backup server. My main goal is to maximize available disk space and hopefully not loose the entire data set if a disk fails.

 

[cyberjock]

RAIDZ2. Don't do more than 10 disks per vdev though.

 

[Ericloewe]

I am looking for recommendations on the which Raid level to use for a backup-only server to maximize disk space.

I am building two separate FreeNAS servers: one as a file server (mainly streaming media) and the other for backups only. My question pertains to the backup server. My main goal is to maximize available disk space and hopefully not loose the entire data set if a disk fails.

RAIDZ2, or RAIDZ1 if you have plentiful backups and restoring from backup is not a problem.

 

[rmflint]

The RAID format in question is specifically for my backup server. I plan to setup my file server in RAIDZ2. I also realize that RAIDZ2 has much better redundancy than Z1. I plan to use the backup server to backup my main file server and a couple of other desktops.

Since this server WILL be used only for backups, is RAIDZ1 a safe enough option or is just too risky?

 

[marbus90]

With consumer-drives (like the WD Red) bigger than 1TB you should always use at least 2 drives per vdev for redundancy.

Only if you use the enterprise drives with a 1-per-10E15 chance of a read error I'd use z1 - and still be scared about the fact that another failure during rebuild will crash the whole pool.

 

[rmflint]

Thanks for the reality check. Since I will be using consumer grade drives, I'll go for RAIDZ2.