TrueNAS Scale doesn't show up all disk in a USB enclosure with different SN

[Jobber]

Hi everyone, before I post this thread, I've searched the forum and Google. There are many similar problem like me except in my case, disks have different and correct SN.

Detail
0. I'm using a 5-disk USB enclosure with my mini pc(I want to build an ITX setup but it's too expensive and power-comsuming compare to an N305 mini pc with UHD770)
1. GUI is showing one of five disk only, and the SN doesn't belong to any drive
2. on shell,

Code:

lsblk

gives all disk and

Code:

smartctl

shows every disk has its own unique Serial Number.

All my search result tell me that it's the same SN that causing the issue, but in my case, it's not.
My guest is that TrueNAS is reading the enclosure's serial number rather than the disk's serial number. I know I can create the pool and import it using zpool command, but that will be the last choice since all other operation in GUI depends on SN(for example, replace a broken disk) and I have to do them in shell.

 

[sretalla]

It is not at all recommended to use such a USB enclosure and I can relate that from personal experience, it will not go well for you if you do it.

These may help to convince you, but I will be clear, Don't do it:

USB in general:

Why you should avoid USB attached drives for data pool disks

This subject has been coming up quite often since about 2022. Perhaps because of TrueNAS SCALE has brought forth some attention to TrueNAS in general and ZFS in specific. Please note that this is about USB attached storage for ZFS data pools. On occasion, people use USB drives, (flash...

www.truenas.com

Port Multipliers (which is what you're running in that enclosure):

Multiply your problems with SATA Port Multipliers and cheap SATA controllers

This resource was originally created by user: jgreco on the TrueNAS Community Forums Archive. Please DM this account or comment in this thread to claim it. In the last year or two, we’ve had a resurgence of users asking about SATA Port Multipliers and cheap SATA controllers. Please, do NOT use...

www.truenas.com

 

[Jobber]

It is not at all recommended to use such a USB enclosure and I can relate that from personal experience, it will not go well for you if you do it.

These may help to convince you, but I will be clear, Don't do it:

USB in general:

Why you should avoid USB attached drives for data pool disks

This subject has been coming up quite often since about 2022. Perhaps because of TrueNAS SCALE has brought forth some attention to TrueNAS in general and ZFS in specific. Please note that this is about USB attached storage for ZFS data pools. On occasion, people use USB drives, (flash...

www.truenas.com

Port Multipliers (which is what you're running in that enclosure):

Multiply your problems with SATA Port Multipliers and cheap SATA controllers

This resource was originally created by user: jgreco on the TrueNAS Community Forums Archive. Please DM this account or comment in this thread to claim it. In the last year or two, we’ve had a resurgence of users asking about SATA Port Multipliers and cheap SATA controllers. Please, do NOT use...

www.truenas.com

Thanks for the reply, and yes I know a extenal USB Enclosure is the worst way to setup a NAS. I've searched the forum and Google, only missing the disk recognize problem.

The reason I choose this kind of setup is:
1. I couldn't find a dual 2.5G ITX motherboard 12/13th. Because I need SR-IOV for vGPU, and my favorite chasis only support ITX and has only one half-height PCIE slot which I have to use for PCIE-SATA card. Other chasis may be good, but not from a big company, so its quality and robust and statbility and customer service is a big question mark.
2. My budget is tight, building an ITX setup will cost around $200 more. And I'm in China, that means nearly 1/5 of my monthly saved money(salary reduced by rent/food etc.)


But after digging this problem I found that there's no way to properly set this USB enclosure to work, so I've decided to refund/resell the part and go buy a ITX setup instead.

 

[sretalla]

But after digging this problem I found that there's no way to properly set this USB enclosure to work, so I've decided to refund/resell the part and go buy a ITX setup instead.

Other operating/filesystems (just not TrueNAS/ZFS) will work more successfully with USB enclosures... did you consider OpenMediaVault?

 

[Jobber]

Other operating/filesystems (just not TrueNAS/ZFS) will work more successfully with USB enclosures... did you consider OpenMediaVault?

I was using OMV for a long time and learned Portainer from it. But I think TrueNAS has a much larger community. And with commercial, Truenas will have a more active developing. So I choose TrueNAS finally. BTW, TrueNAS's UI is better lol