I have my new Unraid server setup, and currently have ~104TB RaidZ2 pool that I will use for storage of my Plex Movies/Shows. I am moving the data from a Synology 8 bay with ~90TB that is full. Right now I have a cheapo USB Drive setup as single disk array, just so I can start everything. 

 

What I want to do:

1- Move everything off my Synology over to my ZFS RaidZ2 pool. Using ZFS for Bit Rot protection as this will be used as more for storage, and somtimes will watch movies off it. 

2- Take the 8 drives (14TB each) I have in my synology, once data is off, and put them in Unraid as the array, with 6 drives + 2 Parity. Probably just have file type auto (so XFS?).

3- This would replace my current cheapo USB drive I have in there now just to start array. 

4- With this new array, I would then move the Movies/TV Shows I and my family watch more frequently to Unraid array, this way when using them all disks don't need to spin up when family is using them. 

 

My question is after Step 1, for Step 2 & 3. Would I use the "New Config" with "Preserve current assignments" set to "Pool slots"? And then setup the new array?

Or would I stop the array with the USB device, expand the size, add the files and parity drives, let it do its thing start it up.. wait.... then stop the array and "Shrink" it by 1 device to remove the USB cheapo device?
 

There won't be any data on the array for Steps 2  & 3, but the ZFS pool will be full and don't want to loose any of that data. 

 

12 hours ago, Alderaan said:

My question is after Step 1, for Step 2 & 3. Would I use the "New Config" with "Preserve current assignments" set to "Pool slots"? And then setup the new array?

This.