Next step in data storage

Hi all. I currently have a SFF pc (HP Optiplex-like but smaller) running Plex and some other software. Happy with my software setup for the time being.

However - I'm stuck with what to do next on the storage front. I have a 5TB external HDD that's plugged into the little PC and that's basically what I use for all of my storage. This isn't enough (running out of space) and also doesn't feel very versatile.

Where to from here? I don't know whether to go the RAID route and buy an enclosure that supports it, or just get a bunch of drives and chain them together. A Synology NAS seems way too expensive. What should I do?

4 points · 5 comments · view on lemmy.world

5 Comments

closure1170@beehaw.org · 3 pts · 3y

Could look into a home diy nas software like TrueNAS or proxmox

iempqob4@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3y (2 replies)

I'm in a similar boat, my Optiplex has a small m.2 expansion slot, I believe intended for a WiFi chip.

I nought a dual SATA card for it, just need to find a nice enclosure that will power 2 drives and provide a direct SATA connection to some 3.5" disks.

If anyone knows of some let me know!

mammut@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 3y (1 reply)
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iempqob4@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3y

Damn that's frustrating, thanks for the info. I guess I already expected this to be a poor solution. Perhaps slow performance, but I guess I never considered the option of data corruption as well.

I wonder if something like ZFS in a mirror could be used to mitigate the risk of something like this?

Malossi167@feddit.de · 2 pts · 3y (1 reply)

Just get an 18-22TB external drive. Cheap easy and can be reused once you outgrow it. Yes, a NAS is pretty cool but unless you need the uptime etc RAID can offer you are just better of getting a single, large drive.

Kwikxilver@beehaw.org · 1 pts · 3y

Thanks for responding, appreciate it. I don't really need a "NAS" so to speak because of my mini pc which stays on 24/7 - I just need a place to store stuff. I was thinking a RAID or similar hard drive enclosure might be best because I can find some cheap drives and shove them in. I never considered a single drive with a massive capacity.

Do you think something like this 18TB drive is a good shout? I'm not sure if it's shuck-able...

WD 18TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive - USB 3.0, Black https://amzn.eu/d/i7Xi05A