Narrowing down my approach and looking for some additional guidance. Complete novice to home server operation. After discussion in another thread, I've decided to not go with Windows OS on the server and instead run a Linux based OS so some sort.
My hardware is a i5-9500 with 8gb or ram. In terms of storage I have a 256gb m2 NVME, 2x 10tb HDD and a 256g 2.5" SSD if it is useful in some way. This leaves me with 2 sata3 ports(1 if I use the 2.5" SSD) and 1 m2 slot available for further expansion of storage.
Initial intended uses are to run JellyFin media server, Home Assistant and an image management app for pics, all local.
I would like full redundancy via raid1, this is where I'm a bit uncertain on approach.
I assume I'll run the OS and any apps on the NVME, not the HDD. Since i have the additional NVME slot available is there benefit to adding a second NVME drive for cache or even a mirror of the OS and apps?
Should I be looking to manage my raid with an application of some sort or in the Debian OS itself?
If the raid is setup in Debian, how does that affect future expansion? Do i have to add pairs of drives or could I for example just add a 18tb random drive?
If for example a year from now I add 2 additional drives, at that time would there be a better solution than raid1?
Thanks for your time.