On Tue, 29 Jun 2021 15:56:49 +0200, Frank Steinmetzger wrote:

> I reached 80 % usage (which is the recommended maximum for ZFS) and am
> now evaluating my options for the coming years.
> 1) Reduce use of space by re-encoding. My payload is mainly movies,
> among which are 3 TB of DVDs which can be shrunk by at least ⅔ by
> re-encoding. → this takes time and computing effort, but is a long-term
> goal anyway. 2) Replace all drives with bigger ones. There are three
> counter arguments:
>    • 1000 € for four 10 TB drives (the biggest size available w/o
> helium)
>    • they are only available with 7200 rpm (more power, noise and heat)
>    • I am left with four perfectly fine 6 TB drives
> 3) Go for 4+2 RaidZ2. This requires a bigger case (with new PSU due to
>    different form factor) and a SATA expansion card b/c the Mobo only
> has six connectors (I need at least one more for the system drive),
> costing 250 € plus drives.
> 4) Convert to RaidZ1. Gain space of one drive at the cost of
> resilience. I can live with the latter; the server only runs
> occasionally and not for very long at a time. *** This option brings me
> to my question above, because it is easy to achieve and costs no €€€.

5) (or 3a) Add an eSATA card and expand the RAID with external drives.
   That way you can stick with 6TB drives. 


-- 
Neil Bothwick

Bagpipe for free: Stuff cat under arm. Pull legs, chew tail.