Removable / portable zpool with multiple drives?

[ByteMan]

Are there feasible options for externally connecting a group of drives and running them as a pool, but removable for cold storage?

What I envision (without understanding if it is possible) is to have an external "box" of drives (configured as mirror or raidz1/2) that I would like to use as cold-storage and only connect to a TrueNAS Mini unit as needed. Are there different hardware interface options to consider for such a use case (for TrueNAS Mini or any other SMB hardware platforms)?

 

[ByteMan]

Are there options using an PCIe AOC to connect disks as described in my OP?

 

[Redcoat]

This from the Resources section may give you some ideas/answers: https://www.truenas.com/community/resources/how-to-backup-to-local-disks.26/

 

[ByteMan]

This from the Resources section may give you some ideas/answers: https://www.truenas.com/community/resources/how-to-backup-to-local-disks.26/

Thank you, this has some useful information in it but I am still not sure what options there are for connecting 3-4 drives externally to a TrueNAS Mini.
Looking at the Supermicro A2SDi-H-TF (Mini X+ motherboard), would it be possible to use a SFF-8087 to SFF-8088 miniSAS PCI adapter to route 4 SAS channels to the outside of the case? If so, this should allow the connection of up to 4 drives located in an external case with a single cable, correct?

Also, will there always be the need to enter commands as shown on the 'How to Backup to local disks' resource article or is there any way to automate this after the drives are connected?
Lastly, after connecting and using a pool, what steps are necessary to allow secure removal (without shutting down the main system)?

 

[Arwen]

Yes, there are ways to automate the entire process. I never bothered because I ran backups once a month or so.

Whence you get the commands, make a resource and share with the rest of us.

Here is a SAS / SATA external desktop enclosure that supports up to 4 disks, using a 4 lane SAS type cable:
Cru Inc - RTX410-XJ
It's not cheap, and pretty heavy. However, the single disk version I have, seems like it might last 5 to 10 YEARS of use. Same company makes rack mount versions, 2, 4 or 8 disks.