New RAID/ZFS Recommendation for best Performance [ RAID60|ZFS]

[Chris D.]

I would like to get some feedback on the best (both performance and redundancy) solution based on the following hardware.

Scenario: This NAS server will be serving two XenServers running Windows 2012 VMs using iSCSI.

NAS Server: AMD 8120, 8 core 3.1 Ghz CPU with 16 GB RAM, Adaptec 6805 RAID card attached to 8 - 2 TB ReadyNAS drives, GigaByte 970A-D3 MB attached to 2 - 4 TB drives and 1 - 120 GB SSD (for OS) and a QUAD port Intel GB NIC (using link aggregation for iSCSI).

My original plan was to use the Adaptec 6805 as RAID60 (so I could loose 2 drives and still get a performance boost of striping ie. 60)

I have began reading a lot about ZFS; not I am totally confused as to what is the best route to go with FreeNAS.

Do I use the Adaptec controller and setup RAID 60, then install FreeNAS and will it then see the RAID60 as one drive ???

or

Do I disable the RAID of the Adaptec card, then install FreeNAS and have it use them as ZFS?

Really could use some educated guidance.....

For completeness, the two XenServer servers are identical hardware: GigaByte 970A-D3 MB, AMD 8150 8 core 4.0 Ghz CPU with 32 GB 1600 DDR3, 1 - 240 GB SSD S3 for OS, Intel DUO GB NIC (for iSCSI), DVDRW.

 

[cyberjock]

Do I disable the RAID of the Adaptec card, then install FreeNAS and have it use them as ZFS?

Do this per the manual. HW RAID + ZFS = lost data

Search the forums too. You'll find that ZFS + iSCSI can be problematic for long term performance.