All-SSD setup - How? (TRIM, Reliability, SSD lifespan...)

[edwardhawitt]

Hello,

 

I recently started to "learn" and use unRAID (my use case is a very little fanless PC, used with 2 SSDs (quiet setup) to stream some contents on the local network, adguard home DNS, store some files/backup and so). And I love it, it's a lot more easy and quickly than managing an Ubuntu Server setup from scratch (docker, containers...) for example. Just install unRAID and done, start installing "Apps".

 

My problem is with the SSDs, I've learnt recently that unRAID doesn't recommend using SSDs on arrays because on arrays TRIM is disabled (and can’t be enabled) - that means the SSD TRIM command will never run, so speeds will go down on the future and probably garbage collection and NAND wear leveling made by the SSDs controller will start to move around current data + deleted non-TRIMed data, virtually like having the SSD full all times, decreasing heavily both SSDs lifespans (write amplification?)

 

I wouldn’t like that - SSDs that could last 8 years (for example) dying in 1-2 years because using a “bad setup”

 

So, what can I do? Any tips? I have seen someone recommending using both SSDs on a “pool” (what’s the difference/implications of using a pool instead of array? What the best format to use? Do TRIM enable itself on pools?) and a flash drive as array disk1 so UnRAID works and starts (doubt: but wouldn’t Docker container be running out of the flash drive?)

 

Doesn't the scheduler "TRIM" option then works on SSDs on array?

 

I’m a little bit lost, and accept all tips you have, better if I can improve without having to start from scratch (erasing everything)

 

I was tempted to have a parity disk, but currently I don't have it and wouldn't mind sacrificing it if it means SSDs can run well on the long term (TRIM?)

 

Thank you so much

[JorgeB]

Create a pool with them instead.

[Veah]

Something about using btrfs?  I know the mention here is as a pool, but would it not also work as array?

Just brainstorming options.

 

[JorgeB]

You can use btrfs or zfs, for 2 devices, and assuming you want redundancy, I would recommend a zfs mirror.

[edwardhawitt]

2 hours ago, JorgeB said:

You can use btrfs or zfs, for 2 devices, and assuming you want redundancy, I would recommend a zfs mirror.

Great, thanks for the help. I just put the two 2TB SSDs in a Pool (2 slots, ZFS - mirror) - It also said "autotrim ON" - that's it? now trim is working? is there any way I can check it?

 

And now I suppose I have a "good" not compromised setup, yeah? Right now it's:

 

Device: 64GB Samsung Bar Flash Drive

 

Array: 1TB SSD with XFS (Docker containers basically - it's the internal SSD of the miniPC - I know it seems a bit of waste 1TB SSD for this, IDK)

 

Pool: 2x2TB SSD with ZFS mirror (files and data)

 

Thanks

[JorgeB]

1 hour ago, edwardhawitt said:

It also said "autotrim ON" - that's it? now trim is working?

Yes, but still recommend running the scheduled TRIM also, once a day, or once a week, depending on usage.

[edwardhawitt]

19 minutes ago, JorgeB said:

Yes, but still recommend running the scheduled TRIM also, once a day, or once a week, depending on usage.

Perfect! I have put a schedule for TRIM weekly, hope it works OK (there is any logs that says it's working?)

 

Anyway, thanks a lot for the info and help

[JorgeB]

9 hours ago, edwardhawitt said:

there is any logs that says it's working?

heck the syslog after that day, it will show the TRIM activity