TS-253D - To upgrade or to make the 253D more efficient?

[Bitrudeuk]

I'm currently running a TS-253D with 8GB RAM and two Seagate Ironwolf Pro 12TB HDD's. I only use the NAS for media storage and running my Plex media server, which it does admirably. I'm running out of space, so was considering getting a TR-002 or TR-004 to expand, rather than buy bigger drives (I like the price point of the 12TB drives), whilst possibly adding the ability to have two M2 SSD's, by getting one of the expansion cards? Is it better value to just buy a new 4 rack NAS, like the TS-462 and have the same set-up or to expand the current one as mentioned?

Reading around the forum, i'm not sure if adding the M2 drives would give me much added value with running the media server? Other than maybe moving the OS to one of them and using the other for caching, to speed up the NAS?

Everything is backed up on external HDD and I also have a TS-251+ mirroring everything at another property, providing further back-up options, so i'm happy to throw another couple of drives at expansion for the NAS without having to run a RAID setup.

I've read this thread which feels very similar to my thoughts and set up and guess the previous advice still stands?

Many thanks

B

[dolbyman]

Forget about cache..and forget about running SSDs in single mode. You said your NAS runs fine, so adding SSDs to 'speed something up' would be wasted money.
Also the OS is always on all internal drives.

For a Plex server and a large media libary, setting up everything from scratch to have the Plex metadata and databases on SSD storage, would be be benefitial. (Plex QPKG supports migration, so you could do without a complete start from scratch to have your system volume on SSD)

if 12TB drives and maximum space are your goal, a TR004 as additional volume would be better (6 drives in total) compared to a new 4 bay unit

[Bitrudeuk]

Thanks dolbyman, i'm assuming I could make do with just a 1TB SSD then, if just having metadata and databases on it? Or should I get a 2TB to futureproof it? Seems like I can house it on the basic QM2-2S-220A too and save a few pennies right? The SSD wouldn't need to be a Firecuda or the like either right, just a decent Crucial or Samsung one?

Thanks for the info about the OS, I thought you could run it off an SSD, so glad I asked!

If I can get decent value disks, I don't mind going bigger. 20TB's are about 400 pounds on Amazon at the moment, though I've just noticed CEX has a second hand 20TB for 200! So if I can get away with it, I may just get a couple of those and use a TR002, would save some space and keep the wife happy.

Though i'm assuming that if I could pick up a 4 bay drive, second hand for a decent price, that may also be worthwhile to have the ability to increase RAM to 16GB and have a slightly faster processor?

[dolbyman]

Again, never run single disks for something important, so use at least 2x SSD in RAID1.

Be careful with second hand low power Celeron devices, the CPU's had a fatal flaw
viewtopic.php?t=157459

[Bitrudeuk]

It will only ever have media on it and that as I say is backed up twice. I know it will take longer than in RAID1 to re-up everything, but at least it's backed up!

Thanks for the link, noted. So I may well need a new NAS myself at some point then anyway! The TS-462 is about 400 euros at the moment, so could be an option, compared to buying the 2 drive expansion and expansion card.... Food for thought. I guess in the meantime, just add the 2 drive expansion and when the time comes get a new 4 drive NAS that also works with the TR002.