Thin and Thick Volumes

[steve102]

I am using my qnap TS-453D as a web server only. So to avoid complications with qnaps updates from interfering with my apache2, perl, and other complications through kind recommendations I have setup a VM with Ubuntu server 18.04.05.
Could someone share their opinion of which might be better Thin and Thick Volumes

[P3R]

Thick is easiest to understand for non-experts. You can convert back and forth between thick and thin should you change your mind later.

[steve102]

Thank you very much for that complete answer!

[steve102]

which allows for more disk space Thin or Thick Volumes

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

https://www.qnap.com/en/how-to/knowledg ... ick-volume


one reason for using thick over thin, is because of certain scenarios that occur when usin thin. you can use the forum search to find out what possible issues there are when using thin.

as for thick, it's easy to understand and use.

for example, when you create thick volume, by default it allocates 50% of the total usable space as usable. If you need more space, then you go to storage manager, and allocate more from 50% all the way up to 100%

By the way, if you plan to use snapshots, BEFORE you go to 100%, you should reserve bare minimum 5% for snapshots. You go to snapshot manager settings, and set the reserved space there first. Once done, THEN you can change the storage space allocation with whatever is left.

Some people suggested rather than going to 100% straight away, you just allocate more as required.

I usually allocate more and leave ample space in case i add more stuff.

One thing you can't do is unallocate. You'd have to scrap the raid and do it again from the beginning. I found out when i allocated 100% and realized i couldn't unallocate to make some space available for snapshots :/

[P3R]

https://www.qnap.com/en/how-to/knowledg ... ick-volume


if you want features like snapshots, then you have to use thick.

No, that's not correct. The link you have above tell you that thin volumes support snapshots as well.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

oic. well last time i was told the thick volume has all the features that was not possible with thin (or perhaps that was in reference to static volumes? in comparison). i'll go check it again then when i'm free.

[P3R]

which allows for more disk space Thin or Thick Volumes

I'm not aware of any difference. They will give you as much as much disk space as you allocate (thick) or as much as is needed at every given point (thin) up to the the limit of your physical disk(s).

[steve102]

can either method allow you to get locked out of your qnap do to lack of available disk space? Or is there a safety net somewhere if you do not monitor your nases.

[Mousetick]

which allows for more disk space Thin or Thick Volumes

Compared to Thick in terms of capacity, Thin allows for overprovisioning (max. capacity larger than actual storage capacity). For a single volume it doesn't make sense, but it can be useful with multiple volumes for some specific scenarios/needs. For example, say you have a storage pool of 1 TB capacity. You could create 2 Thin volumes (or more) of 1 TB max capacity each, which in total (2 TB or more) would exceed the 1 TB actual storage capacity. It's obviously not possible to store more than what the storage pool physically allows, but it's more flexible when dealing with multiple volumes.

If you don't know that you need such configuration, or why you would need it, then you most likely don't need it.

Don't worry too much and just go with what QNAP suggests as the default configuration (i.e. Thick if I'm remembering correctly). You'll be fine. If you only want 1 Volume, always choose Thick, which performs better than Thin.

[steve102]

in using thick i keep getting an 80% alarm. I have a single volume, 1 storage pool, 1 snapshot pool. I want to keep things simple. I have researched on how to increase my volume space but could not seem to get it right.

[P3R]

in using thick i keep getting an 80% alarm.

You have storage capacity alarms both on the storage pool and the volume. You have to figure which it is giving you the warning and adjust them both the way you want them.

[steve102]

I want to get back to keeping things simple. I have researched on how to increase my volume space but could not seem to get it right.
I am in Storage and Snapshots-> Storage. I have clicked everywhere and found nothing that refers to ho I can expand my storage allocation. Could some Please simply tell where it is?

[Mousetick]

I want to get back to keeping things simple.

Are you still in the process of setting this thing up or do you already have a lot of data and stuff running on it? In the former case, you could reinitialize the disks and forego a storage pool entirely: use a static volume instead. Simplest you'll ever get, and no more fiddling ever after.

I am in Storage and Snapshots-> Storage. I have clicked everywhere and found nothing that refers to ho I can expand my storage allocation. Could some Please simply tell where it is?

Would you please consider making the tiny effort of reading the documentation, or are you expecting someone to spoon feed it to you, on their free time?
Resizing a Thick or Thin Volume
Configuring a Volume Space Alert
Configuring a Storage Pool Space Alert

Don't hesitate to come back here if you have any more questions or something isn't clear.
Hope this helps.

[steve102]

Thanks Mousetick for all that info! I will digest and see how far I get. I have 1.72TB used / Available 4.58TB, Thick Volume, 1Vol., 1 pool. Been resetting up for a couple months. I did not know I could re-setup my Qnap. and forego a storage pool entirely. So I might by another Nas and try that. Qnap is nice but over the years has established to many bells and whistles and unneeded apps for my use as a simple web server. Would be nice to find a simple web server that was just a simple web server.