Hello, and thanks in advance for your help!
I would like to set up a FreeNAS server and do 2 things:
1) ESXi Datastore through iSCSI
2) General backup of files
Hardware:
3.0 ghz Intel Dual Core E8400
RAM: 8 gb ECC DDR2
Supermicro SAT2-MV8 (PCI-X HBA)
I know I'm right at the minimum RAM recommended for ZFS, but I don't see having more than 4-5 TB in storage. I'm hoping that since I'm not planning on having more than 4-5 TB of storage, performance will not be negatively impacted.
I set up FreeNAS in a VM (for testing purposes only!) so I'm somewhat familiar with how it works, but I would like advice on what is the best practice for what I want.
For the general backing up of files, the way I understand it is that I create a volume, and from there, I can optionally create datasets, and then just add shares to the volume/dataset through AFP/CIFS control panel. Nothing else needs to be done, and I can copy over my stuff.
For the iSCSI datastore, I create a device or file extent. It can be stored on the same volume as my general backup volume, correct?
I haven't decided whether to go with RAID 0 or RAIDZ, but my biggest question is do you guys think this set up will be able/fast enough to serve as ESXi datastore storage?
Thanks again for your help, and sorry for all my questions!
I would like to set up a FreeNAS server and do 2 things:
1) ESXi Datastore through iSCSI
2) General backup of files
Hardware:
3.0 ghz Intel Dual Core E8400
RAM: 8 gb ECC DDR2
Supermicro SAT2-MV8 (PCI-X HBA)
I know I'm right at the minimum RAM recommended for ZFS, but I don't see having more than 4-5 TB in storage. I'm hoping that since I'm not planning on having more than 4-5 TB of storage, performance will not be negatively impacted.
I set up FreeNAS in a VM (for testing purposes only!) so I'm somewhat familiar with how it works, but I would like advice on what is the best practice for what I want.
For the general backing up of files, the way I understand it is that I create a volume, and from there, I can optionally create datasets, and then just add shares to the volume/dataset through AFP/CIFS control panel. Nothing else needs to be done, and I can copy over my stuff.
For the iSCSI datastore, I create a device or file extent. It can be stored on the same volume as my general backup volume, correct?
I haven't decided whether to go with RAID 0 or RAIDZ, but my biggest question is do you guys think this set up will be able/fast enough to serve as ESXi datastore storage?
Thanks again for your help, and sorry for all my questions!