Can you mix HDD sizes in a Z1 array?

[skysurf76]

My Freenas box I built a couple years ago is on its last leg, and a 2tb USB drive just died in a three drive array. I'm in the process of backing up all the data, and I'm going to wipe the box and re-do everything with the newest version of Freenas. I went to buy a 2tb WD red drive and a 3tb cost the same as a 2tb so I was wondering if I could get the 3tb and mix it with the other 2tb's in a Z1 array. I'm just going to stick it in a USB 2.0 docking station.

Also, since I'm already posting, how is the newest version of Freenas as far as installation and configuration? When I did it a couple years ago it was a bit of a pain. I could only use drives from the same manufacturer in an array. Even if the size was the same I couldn't mix manufacturer's, it would just complain about size. Also Freenas couldn't even format the drives fresh out of the box. I had to hook them up to a windows machine and format them all first before Freenas would take them. Setting up a password protected CIFs share was a pain too. Has most of this been alleviated?

Thanks so much for your time.

 

[raidflex]

I would advise against using USB drives with Freenas. You also did not state how many hard drives you are planning on running and the specifications of your system, these are things we need to know to better help you. Mixing different size drives should work in the same RAIDZ. If you mix 2TB and 3TB drives in the same RAIDZ pool you will lose the extra 1TB of the 3TB drives.

As far as the setup, this can all be done through the Freenas GUI, Windows is not necessary.

 

[crumbz]

I went to buy a 2tb WD red drive and a 3tb cost the same as a 2tb so I was wondering if I could get the 3tb and mix it with the other 2tb's in a Z1 array.

You will be limited to the size of the smallest drive in the array. If you have 3 x 3TB and 1 x 2TB in a RAIDZ1 configuration, you will only be able to use 2TB of every drive. But if you later swap out the last 2TB with a 3TB drive, then you can grow the pool to make use of the extra space.

 

[skysurf76]

I honestly don't remember the system specs. I seem to recall it having 4gb memory and an AMD dual core processor. I think it was one of those ones that has the built in graphics chip. The USB array has actually worked very well over the years. Its not fast by any means but speed isn't a concern. Its fast enough to watch HD video from which is all I use it for really. Its just a media/file server.

Losing the extra tb of storage on the 3tb disc is fine. Like I said the 2tb right now at TigerDirect is the same price as the 3tb. I just wanted to make sure it was possible. The two remaining USB hdd's are super cheapo hitachi's of which I have sent back 3 over the years for replacements. Those things break if you fart near them. Thats why I wanted to go with the 3tb red. As the others drop I'll just add 3tb red's until the last one dies at which time I'll just make it a 6gb array.

 

[raidflex]

With a low powered system like that I would boost the memory to at least 8GB if you can, newer versions of Freenas are more resource hungry and so is ZFS. If you use only UFS you should be fine.

Just because USB has worked okay over the years for you does not mean its a reliable way to setup your storage with Freenas, again I would highly stress not using USB drives.

Personally if you are mixing and matching like you want to I think UNRAID would be a better option, it is built to function better with mixed drive sizes/brands.

 

[cyberjock]

Oh... this thread gives me a headache....

4GB of RAM = bad
USB drive = bad
non-ECC(betting money this is true) = bad
RAIDZ1 = bad

Anyone want to wager how long until skysurf76 loses his data?

 

[raidflex]

Oh... this thread gives me a headache....

4GB of RAM = bad
USB drive = bad
non-ECC(betting money this is true) = bad
RAIDZ1 = bad

Anyone want to wager how long until skysurf76 loses his data?

This is why with Freenas you shouldn't just use "any old hardware." You really need to ad-hear to the recommended hardware requirements or you are asking for issues.