The original post: /r/datahoarder by /u/EnsilZah on 2025-03-24 14:46:59.
I built this NAS/server a bit over a decade ago and it has served (heh) me well.
I like the minimalist look of the Node 304 case, and while access to the HDD brackets is not great I didn't really need to screw around with them too much.
It currently houses a 240GB SSD for the OS (Windows Server), 3x WD RED 10TB, 1x Barracuda 8TB in a Storage Spaces pool.
Recently I started planning for a move to another country and I was trying to figure out the best way to take my data with me.
I thought I'd just remove the drives and build a new computer for them at the destination, I even ordered protective cases for them.
I've also been thinking time might be near where going all SSD might be viable for me.
I looked into second hand SATA SSDs but looks like very for are available right now.
I then came across some reviews of all-NVMe NAS devices, specifically the Terramaster F8 and Asustor Flashtor 12.
The Flashstor had the advantage of expendabilty, but I really hated gamer-wannabe look, and the hardware specs were weaker.
With the Terramaster F8 Plus, I liked the size and look (reminded me of my old WD My Book) and the specs.
So recently I bought the Terramaster and started populating it with NVMe drives (3x WD Blue 4TB, 3x WD Black 8TB).
I installed Windows Server on it rather than use the OS it comes with because I want to run a bunch of other software on it and I'm familiar with Windows and Storage Spaces (though I guess maybe running a VM might be another option).
A few snags I ran into were:
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I had to remove the internal OS USB drive for the Windows installer to prepare partitions correctly.
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I had to track down the network driver to bring it online.
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At first I didn't put the provided heatsinks on the NVMes because I figured network transfer speeds won't be high enough to heat them up significantly, but then I had a drive drop out of the pool due to overheating when I was doing some internal transfers.
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I haven't yet tracked down the issue that makes it lose connection to the network every few days, not sure if it's a hardware/driver issue, something in the OS, maybe my router.
But now that all my data is transferred I can shut down my old NAS, use it as backup and hopefully sell it to recoup some of the cost after zeroing the drives.