Double checking hardware for a Plex Server

Kourgath223

Cadet
Joined
Sep 6, 2022
Messages
2
So I am planning to build my first TrueNAS server in the next couple of months to replace my existing Plex server, which consists of having Plex running on my gaming PC and storing my files on a little WD NAS on my network. Because this is my first time doing this I want to make sure I won't run into any unexpected surprises, so I am posting here for any recommendations before I actually make any purchases.

I am planning to use server hardware because buying a server second hand off Ebay to handle the actual compute is cheaper then it would cost me to build a small rig to fill the same purpose and I would still have to buy a JBOD for the storage anyway in the latter case. Another reason I've been looking at server hardware is that it should make expanding my storage with additional drives easier compared to a traditional desktop setup, especially if I need to add a lot of drives at once.

I've been eyeing this listing, and some other similar ones, for a while now.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/154728911136
Now, from a quick look on the forums here it looks like the controller that listing says it comes with, will need to be replaced due to it being a Hardware RAID controller.

On that note I have seen this HBA:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/162834659601
recommended a few times here. But one thing I haven't been able to confirm is if it will be give me any issues with this drives I plan to use. My plan is to initially use 6 18TB drives in a RaidZ2 configuration. I haven't fully settled on the specific drives I will use but I've been especially looking at the Seagate Exos drives such as the following:
https://www.newegg.com/seagate-exos-x18-st18000nm000j-18tb/p/1B4-00VK-00616?Item=1B4-00VK-00616
 

poldi

Dabbler
Joined
Jun 7, 2019
Messages
42
I've been eyeing this listing, and some other similar ones, for a while now.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/154728911136
Now, from a quick look on the forums here it looks like the controller that listing says it comes with, will need to be replaced due to it being a Hardware RAID controller.
Yes indeed the AOC-SAS2LP-H8IR does not support IT mode natively apparently. I also did not find a report of someone haveing successfully cross flashed the LSI/Broadcom stock firmware on there either. So I am afraid that RAID controller is no good.
The Dell H310 you have there on eBay is a good replacement. You can get them flashed already from Art of Server. There are also many guides on how to cross flash yourself (e.g. here and here). I have done it twice, it makes for some nice evening project.
Another cheap alternative is the identical IBM M1015 which is also based on the LSI 2008 chip (link).
There are also more capable HBAs out there that support IT mode. However for the hardware you are getting the Dell/IBM should do just fine.
I don’t think the Seagate Exos drives will give you any issues. They are SATA 6G drives, they will just work on the HBA.
 

ChrisRJ

Wizard
Joined
Oct 23, 2020
Messages
1,904
The one thing to keep in mind with Exos drives (and presumably other data center drives) is that they have a very low (2 minutes?) timeout for parking the heads. That is not an issue in a data center where 2 minutes of inactivity are scarce. But for a home NAS these values should be changed.
 

Kourgath223

Cadet
Joined
Sep 6, 2022
Messages
2
The one thing to keep in mind with Exos drives (and presumably other data center drives) is that they have a very low (2 minutes?) timeout for parking the heads. That is not an issue in a data center where 2 minutes of inactivity are scarce. But for a home NAS these values should be changed.
Thank you for that information. The Exos are just one of the drives I was looking at, the other options I was considering were the WD Red Pro or the Seagate Ironwolf Pro. But from looking into this more I see some people reporting that the Ironwolf's have the same timeout setting, not sure if they were using the pros or not though. So I guess I'll just stick with WD.
 
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