Hello I'm giving Unraid a try for the first time and have some basic questions.

I'm installing on a refurb HP mid tower with i5, 16GB, integrated graphics (runs Win 10 fine). It has a 512GB SSD, and 2xHDD slots for the starter array.

 

1) When I boot UnRaid with the GUI option, my attached screen is black with a blinking cursor top left. I tried DP and VGA connection without success. The web GUI works fine however, so I'm OK - just wondered if it's meant to be web only. (non-GUI boot provides the expected on-screen CLI)
2) I'm booted off a USB stick. I assume this is only for testing and when running for real I will load the OS onto my system drive (SSD), but can find no mention of how to do so.

3) I read that an SSD should not be part of the array. Since the UnRaid OS requirements are small, how is this capacity best utilized?
4) Is it best for the array drives to be the same capacity? How would a 2TB and a 4TB work?

 

Thanks!

You may have to boot Legacy (non-UEFI) to get GUI to work on your hardware. Or just run headless.

 

It always boots off the USB stick. The archives of the OS are unpacked fresh into RAM at boot, and it runs completely in RAM. Think of it as firmware.

 

The SSD would be used as cache and as fast storage for dockers/VMs for performance and so array disks can spin down since these files are always open.

 

You can use different sized disks in the array, but no data disk can be larger than any parity disk.

 

 

Thanks for the reply.

1) My goal is to run headless anyway, so that's fine. I was concerned that it might be a sign I'd done something wrong, but all looks good through the web GUI. I may test legacy boot later if I have time.

2) Does that mean that, for long term use, I should get a really high quality stick. (The one I'm using now was a free gift at a trade show!) I assume config changes, user info, etc are written to the stick, so it has to be reliable?

3) I see. So containers and VMs would see the array as one device and the SSD as another? Would I need to create partitions on the SSD for cache and app use? Does it need to be formatted a specific way? Are there any docs or vids available explaining how to do this?

4) Thanks. I found an explanation of the way parity is used in Unraid and I think I understand it now.

1 hour ago, malebron said:

2) Does that mean that, for long term use, I should get a really high quality stick. (The one I'm using now was a free gift at a trade show!) I assume config changes, user info, etc are written to the stick, so it has to be reliable?

Yes. You should note that problems have been reported lately of Sandisk drives :

 

Ideally, find a USB2 flashdrive that tends to produce less heat and are generally more reliable. Also boot from an USB2 port.

Some people prefer small form factor drives to limit risk of damage, other think they do not dissipate heat well enough. Finally there is the option of a USB port within the case.

Lots of different preferences, I'll let you chose.  

 

2 hours ago, malebron said:

I see. So containers and VMs would see the array as one device and the SSD as another?

No, a single device with shared directories. Each top level directory can be managed as being Only on Cache, Not on cache or to use cache temporarly (for transfers) etc.

There are tool tips on the UI to help with the choice. Ask if you are unsure, the wording can be confusing.

 

2 hours ago, malebron said:

Would I need to create partitions on the SSD for cache and app use?

No, Unraid will format the devices.

 

2 hours ago, malebron said:

Are there any docs or vids available explaining how to do this?

There is the manual : https://wiki.unraid.net/index.php/Official_Documentation

But I would advise you to check Space Invader One great youtube channel. The basic videos in particular.

Thanks! Those Space Invader One videos are definitely the way to go. I think the answers to all my questions are there!