Using Intel Optane as both boot drive and ZIL/SLOG?

[victorhooi]

Hi,

I'm building a new FreeNAS machine around a SuperMicro A2SDi-8C+-HLN4F. I'm putting in 16GB of RAM (Kingston ValueRam DDR4 ECC) and 6 x WD 8TB drives (shucked from the BestBuy deals).

This motherboard has a M.2 slot, and AFAIK, most modern SuperMicros support booting from NVMe in UEFI mode.

My question is around the boot drive and using a normal USB flash drive, versus a M.2 SSD.

It seems like the Intel Optane NVMes in M.2 format are a good option - yes, they're small and expensive per GB, but I only need a small one to install FreeNAS:

So for example - 32GB is $60:

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Optane-Memory-Module-MEMPEK1W032GAXT/dp/B06XSXX3NS/

Or there's a 256GB version for $142:

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-600p-256GB-80mm-SSDPEKKW256G7X1/dp/B01K375Q6C/

So why is the Optane 32GB not an easy choice versus a USB flash drive? Are there any drawbacks?

And can I use the same drive for both my boot drive, and also as a SIL/ZLOG to increase performance?

Thanks,
Victor

 

[Ericloewe]

So why is the Optane 32GB not an easy choice versus a USB flash drive? Are there any drawbacks?

It's a bit more complicated than that.

The options are:

• USB flash drives - cheap, nasty, unreliable and sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
• SATA DOMs - very expensive, mixed quality, but they're cute and don't get in the way, and they need a SATA port
• SATA SSDs - reasonable cost, but you need to cram them somewhere and that SATA port can be a deal breaker
• M.2 SATA SSDs - Not supported by some motherboards, notably the X11SSH-F, more expensive than 2.5" SATA SSDs, but don't get in the way
• M.2 PCIe SSDs (including Optane) - Supported by the X11SSH-F, but very expensive

 

[Ericloewe]

Hit the post button accidentally... Anyway:

I'm building a new FreeNAS machine around a SuperMicro A2SDi-8C+-HLN4F

For your case, I'd look at a SATA M.2 device, if you can spare the SATA port (the M.2 socket is nearly guaranteed to be shared with a SATA port). If you can't, the next best option is an NVMe M.2 device.

 

[victorhooi]

Hi,

The Node 304 has only space for 6 drives - so I'm keen to use all of those for storage drives.

Hence why M.2 seemed like a good option.

In terms of M.2 SATA vs M.2 NVMe/PCIe - is the main issue extra cost of NVMe/PCIe?

Regards,
Victor

 

[Ericloewe]

The Node 304 has only space for 6 drives - so I'm keen to use all of those for storage drives.

You can just velcro an SSD pretty much anywhere in the chassis where it fits.

 

[Ericloewe]

In terms of M.2 SATA vs M.2 NVMe/PCIe - is the main issue extra cost of NVMe/PCIe?

You have up to 12 SATA ports. Sounds to me you can easily spare a SATA port for the M.2 slot. Or 6.

 

[Stux]

I think a 16 or 32GB Optane m2 makes a fine boot device in a Node 304 situation. It’s actually a relatively cheap option when it cones to an NVMe m2 boot device.

Would not recommend using the drive for boot and slog, although it is possible, it’s not supported.

The 600p is not Optane, it’s a particularly crappy TLC NAND SSD