The original post: /r/datahoarder by /u/TexAg713 on 2024-09-11 19:10:47.
Hi, I was pointed here from another subreddit. Currently in the market for a DAS and considering various options. But it's my first time doing this, so while there's been lots of reading the past couple weeks I still feel a bit overwhelmed with which path to take.
Some notes about my situation:
-I currently use an Apple M1 laptop with thunderbolt 4 usb-c ports. Likely upgrading to M4 when its announced later this year.
-Need roughly 100TB of local storage for "RAW" images (hundreds of thousands of 30-100 megabyte files).
-Considering RAID6 or equivalent (RAIDz2?) Not sure if ZFS is even compatible with Apple silicon or worth the hassle. One concern here is potential speed of rebuilds in case of failure.
-an IT friend recommended this enclosure, which can be upgraded with internal battery backup. not sure if dated design. It has hardwire Raid which he says is expensive but more reliable than software. I'm inclined to believe it but also seen lots of pushback to this online: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/1568434/areca_arc_8050t3u_8_8_bay_tower_tb3.html
-found these drives for sale, price seems good. 8x18TB in RAID6 should provide ~108TB of usable space? not overly worried about the recert aspect since all drives eventually go bad anyway. https://serverpartdeals.com/products/seagate-exos-x20-st18000nm003d-18tb-7-2k-rpm-sata-6gb-s-3-5-recertified-hard-drive
This is getting to be quite expensive but I have already accepted that before starting this process. My photo data is my life so I know this is something that needs to be done, and reliability / data safety is first priority, within reason. Please let me know if you have any helpful feedback, even if it's telling me I have no idea what I'm doing (I already know I don't). Cheers