Proud new parent of a FREENAS-MINI-3.0-XL+ running FreeNAS-11.3-RELEASE and empty pools filled with questions

[KWProductions]

HI

like the title I'm a Proud new parent of a FREENAS-MINI-3.0-XL+ running FreeNAS-11.3-RELEASE and empty pools filled with questions and hoping to find the path traveled with those who are happy to start with basic windows shares and branch out for more as time allows.

 

[Kris Moore]

Congrats on your purchase! If you are 11.3, the path to basic Windows shares should be fairly straightforward.

1. Create Pool.
2. Create Dataset.
3. Create SMB share.
4. Profit!

Seriously though, if you run into issues or have questions, please feel free to ask and we'll be happy to help out.

 

[KWProductions]

Thank you.

Have done the following
1. Create Pool.
2. Create Dataset.
3. Create SMB share.
4. checked for update... (yeah I know,... why read a manual when there is a GUI that is so very nice to work with)
5. wiped everything.
6. upgraded to 11.3 Release
went back to really read the manual and the powerpoint from CyberJock and still bouncing around trying to find the steps needed to either add or not the L2ARC while creating a Pool

So the question is
1. do I allocate/provision the L2ARC while crating the pool as Cache?
2, does all of the 2012 info in CyberJocks PowerPoint still stand (Excellent deck by the way.)
3. Where would you point me to the future of adding plex and other awesome bits n bobs that will make for family harmony so I am not over provisioned in the L2ARC or just go buy another box for the fun stuff?

 

[Kris Moore]

Correct, you'd provision the L2ARC at pool creation time as a "cache" device.

Lots of the 2012 information is relevant, but the UI and product has evolved quite a bit since then, so when in doubt refer to handbook or ask.

Plugins can be added directly via the UI and lots of ways to make FreeNAS more family-fun. I'd not worry about it over-provisioned, unless you have a fairly demanding workload which requires keeping data in L2Arc at all times.

 

[KWProductions]

having a hard time figuing out or finding answer to the question

Can I use ix0 and 1x1 on different physicalLANs or do I have to upgrade to a switch that can handle VLANS and then how is that different?

When I provision both ports DHCP becomes enabled and then I cannot access SMB share so no profit

 

[Kris Moore]

having a hard time figuing out or finding answer to the question

Can I use ix0 and 1x1 on different physicalLANs or do I have to upgrade to a switch that can handle VLANS and then how is that different?

When I provision both ports DHCP becomes enabled and then I cannot access SMB share so no profit

Normally you'd just use a single interface for your connection, so ix0 for example, and you'd want to provision it with a static IP so your NAS isn't floating around with different addresses. If you wanted to do vlans later you can, but that is by no means required to use the product.