PLEX Media Server - Will it run? Raid 6 with Adaptec RAID 81605Z on FreeNAS

[DiniMuetter]

Hello everyone.
I am completely new in to this stuff, so please be patience with me.
My goal is to have a powerfull Plex Media Server!
Some specs about the server:

• Maximum content resolution would be 1080p, there is no demand for higher (also not in the future)
• Maximum of 50 users would have acces to the server.
• Estimated maximum simultaneously streams ca. 15 users (ca. 5-10 of these would be transcoding)
• 1Gbit/s Up- & Download via Fiber Internet
• 2 HDD`s would be redudant.

I expect to run the following Aplications in Docker.

• Plex Media Server
• Sonarr
• Radarr
• OMBI
• Tautulli
• SABnzbd

These are my components:

• Case: Supermicro SuperChassis 747TG-R1400B-SQ
• Mainboard: ASRock Fatal1ty B450 Gaming K4
• CPU: AMD Ryzen™ 5 3600
• RAM: 64GB = 4* 16GB DDR4-2666 CL16 288-Pin DIMM (HX426C16FBK4/64)
• GPU: PNY Quadro P4000 (8GB, Professional)
• Cache: Samsung 970 EVO Plus (250GB, M.2 2280)
• Storage: 8* Seagate IronWolf 10TB, 3.5"
• Raid Controller: Adaptec RAID 81605Z

The hardware is already mounted in the case and ready to run. But I never used a RAID before and I am also completely new in to such kind of OS.
I am not planning to change anything on the hardeware for the next 4-5 years. It will take me a while to reach the storage capacity of 60-80TB.

Questions:

1. Am I able to run the raid controller under FreeNAS? Because I didn`t saw any support of the OS on the official homepage
2. Should I really use the Raid 6 option with the hardware raid controller?
   Because the Hardware Requirements in this forum are saying exactly the oposit:
   "Hardware RAID cards are not recommended because they prevent this direct access and reduce reliability."
   I heard from friends that having such a "powerfull" hardware Raid controller is much better than a software raid solution. So what is true?
3. Depending on the above answers: Which OS should I use for my purpose? FreeNAS, NASfree, UnRaid, Openmediavault? I am totally confused.

 

[danb35]

Am I able to run the raid controller under FreeNAS?

Able? Probably. But strongly discouraged.

Docker

If you plan to use Docker, you should plan to be running Linux. FreeNAS runs under FreeBSD, not Linux.

I heard from friends that having such a "powerfull" hardware Raid controller is much better than a software raid solution.

You have heard incorrectly.