Storage strategy for new NAS TS 873A

[CryptoWizard]

I want a 2nd opinion for an answer I got fr QNAP.

First....

I'm researching the requirements for my next qnap nas.
My intended use of the new qnap is partly Datastore/Archive, partly (vmware/vsphere) VM image storage.
So I assume I would have 2 data shares : "VM" & "Archive".

If I were intending to populate/install 6 of the 8 bays, would I install say 4x HDD & 2x sata SSD? I also intend installing M.2 caching.

For the "VM" share I would anticipate more hot data than the "Archive" share. For a simple setup, would both shares merely be installed/created in the same RAID & Storage group?

QNAP answer.....
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In your case you can install 2or 4 SSDin a RAID 1 or RAID5, build a storage pool 1 and only store the VMs, then use other 4x HDD to build a storage pool 2 for the Archive.

BTW, QTier & SSD Cache can not be used at the same time.
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So, is it more advisable to use 2x storage pools, 1 raid on ea storage pool, or 1x storage pool, 1x raid, 2x volume/share & implement QTier.
(I would implement ssd caching on a purely ssd VM volume).

If I separate the NAS into 2x storage pool / raids, I would need to use 1x pcie expansion slot to install m.2 cache....
QM2-2P-384A.

Does this module come default w heat sink & fan pictured?

Tnx for any additional input.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

1x pcie expansion slot to install m.2 cache....
QM2-2P-384A.

my experience with the qnap heatsink for these types of pcie addons by qnap.

the pcie addon may come with a clip on type heatsink which adds ample pressure contact for the ssd to the pcie addon heatsink (there is another type of heatsink that does not have any clip, is simply a black colored heatsink. you apply the provided sticky square like contact they provide you.

anyway if it's anything like the wifi 3 addon card by qnap (they all look more or less similar with some minor differences e.g. mine came with a wireless antenna), then ya the fan and the heatsinks will come with the addon card upon purchase. unless something changed that i was not aware of


youtube video on the pcie addon card you are looking at
https://youtu.be/xzk69ktQiPU?t=21

If I were intending to populate/install 6 of the 8 bays, would I install say 4x HDD & 2x sata SSD? I also intend installing M.2 caching.

only down side with that setup is the fact you are forced into using sata ssd. ssds these days get around the sata bottle neck using m.2 nvme, not to mention pricewise they are comparable to sata ssd for same capacity but minus the sata bottleneck. so whenever possible always use m.2 nvme unless forced to use the sata ssd. also you are looking 2 bays you could have used for 3.5'' hdds down the road.

like for example in my setup, i installed my ssds via m.2 nvme on the pcie addon card by qnap, so this reduced the need to use the big drive bays i would rather use for the hdds

no big deal if u have to need for those extra 2 bays, and is fine to do that setup you suggested.


so in your setup, 1st storage pool volume1 by the pair of SSD sata first. This can be used for QTS/QUTS Hero, qnap qpkg apps, vms.

then your 2nd storage pool volume 2 by the 4x hdds is where you can store your data like videos, images, documents, music etc......

note: when setting up your raid volumes, your choices are static, thick or thin
https://www.qnap.com/en/how-to/faq/arti ... ick-volume
https://www.qnap.com/en/how-to/faq/arti ... ick-volume

if you don't plan to use qnap features like snapshots then static might be an option.

i use thick. once you setup thick you have to remember to adjust the storage space allocation %, the default is 50% so if you are wondering why your storage space is low that's why. You can either change it up to max 100% immediately or gradually increase it over time.


2x ssd suggested raid1

4x hdd suggested raid5 / raidz1

then for your cache, you can use the pcie addon card to install more ssds and point the cache to that. If you plan on using read/write mode, it's HIGHLY recommended to use a UPS.

there are a few videos that explain the differences between qtier and ssd cache
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DIO3hzYwxg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm5CFqWqB4Y


personally i don't use either for my qnap in production


i also recommend you have a backup for your NAS. whether that be a usb drive (plugged to the qnap), or another nas, or cloud
https://www.reddit.com/r/qnap/comments/ ... _a_backup/

[CryptoWizard]

If I were intending to populate/install 6 of the 8 bays, would I install say 4x HDD & 2x sata SSD? I also intend installing M.2 caching.


only down side with that setup is the fact you are forced into using sata ssd. ssds these days get around the sata bottle neck using m.2 nvme, not to mention pricewise they are comparable to sata ssd for same capacity but minus the sata bottleneck. so whenever possible always use m.2 nvme unless forced to use the sata ssd. also you are looking 2 bays you could have used for 3.5'' hdds down the road.

like for example in my setup, i installed my ssds via m.2 nvme on the pcie addon card by qnap, so this reduced the need to use the big drive bays i would rather use for the hdds

QNAP pcie add ons are not hot swap.
Hot swap imo is critical for all raid elements.
Using Inc pcie for cache, not part of raid, seems more logical.

I assume the TS 873 I'm proposing does not support SSD nvme in the drive bays, only sata?
Are there any qnap models supporting drive bay nvme?
I'll look it up.... But good point re nvme vs sata speed consideration.