Cache Pool FileSystem

[Robot]

Hi all!
 

I have doubts with the filesystem for my pools. I'm going to have three pools, as follows:

- 1x NVME 4TB for data cache

- 1x NVME 1TB for Dockers and VMs

- 1x SSD 2TB for various stuff VM related

 

I created the pools and the system automatically gave them the btrfs filesystem. Afterwards though, I see you can change it to XFS.

 

I understand btrfs is the only option when RAID0/1, but what about one single drive caches?

+ I've read people recommending btrfs, because it needs no TRIM.

+ I've read others recommending XFS, since it's more robust apparently and you can TRIM with a plugin anyways.

 

Any thoughts?

Thank you!

[JorgeB]

For single device pools and If you don't care about the extra btrfs features, like snapshots or checksums, you should use xfs.

[Robot]

3 minutes ago, JorgeB said:

For single device pools and If you don't care about the extra btrfs features, like snapshots or checksums, you should use xfs.

 

I see. I'll have to dig into both those options do decide whether or not it's worth for me.

 

Now, in case I want to go XFS, what should I do? Stop array, go into the cache settings, and just set it to XFS? And then install the TRIM plugin, of course.

 

Thank you.

[JorgeB]

1 hour ago, Robot said:

and just set it to XFS?

Yes, then format after array start.

 

 

[ChatNoir]

1 hour ago, Robot said:

 

I see. I'll have to dig into both those options do decide whether or not it's worth for me.

 

Now, in case I want to go XFS, what should I do? Stop array, go into the cache settings, and just set it to XFS? And then install the TRIM plugin, of course.

 

Thank you.

Unless your drives are empty and/or you don't care about their content, you should move the data to the array before changing the File System and back to the pools once the format is finished.

[Robot]

6 minutes ago, JorgeB said:

Yes, then format after array start.

 

Nice, thanks!

 

5 minutes ago, ChatNoir said:

Unless your drives are empty and/or you don't care about their content, you should move the data to the array before changing the File System and back to the pools once the format is finished.

 

Nah it's OK, this server is new. I'm still using the old one since I need it 24/7 for work. Once everything is set up, I'll move data across.

 

Thank you both!

[trurl]

3 minutes ago, ChatNoir said:

you should move the data to the array before changing the File System and back to the pools once the format is finished.

You can get mover to do these moves for you similar to the way you would replace cache as in this FAQ: