I´m a new unRAID user and got the HP Microserver N36L as a startup machine. I´m now thinking on how to fill the HDD slots in the best way. FRom what I understand a cahche drive is to prefer?

 

I´m planning on using the server for Sickbeard, SABnzbd and Couchpotato besides the storage itself.

 

Will i gain anything on a cache drive and if so what would ypu recommend and what size?

 

/Niklas

For the cahce drive size I've gone with the same size as the parity. That way I have a spare if something fails.

 

Josh

For the cahce drive size I've gone with the same size as the parity. That way I have a spare if something fails.

 

Josh

 

Many of us agree on this one.

Hmm, I was planning on using a 2,5" SATA drive for the cache and using the 5 available 3,5" spaces for storage. Adding a 3,5" instead of a 2,5" might be doable but I´m not sure about heat issues then...

What 2.5" drive were you going to use for cache.

It's been my experience that only modern high density 2.5" drives reach a higher speed then the actual array itself.

 

Did you plan on using the cache drive for an apps drive also?

 

See this thread also.

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=18019.msg161886#msg161886

 

I was under the assumption that a cahche drive would help if I were to run Sickbeard and Couchpotato, but you tell me...

 

I didnt have a specific 2,5" drive in mind since I just got the machine and started to investigate how I would get the best storage and performance from it.

 

I do have a SSD in a XBMC/Openelec machine today that I might switch to a regular USB drive instead, that way I could use the SSD as cache

It's worth it if you are going to use it for an application drive as you mentioned.

 

I'm not sure I would put an SSD as the cache drive, but others do, so don't base your decision on mine.

 

I installed an SSD in my unRAID server for my local app drive, network /home directories and source repository.

This way they are instantly available without any form of spin up delay.

 

It's worth it if you are going to use it for an application drive as you mentioned.

 

I'm not sure I would put an SSD as the cache drive, but others do, so don't base your decision on mine.

 

 

If a SSD is written and re-written a lot, I think the SSD would wear out rather quick. For write once-read many use like installing apps/add-ons it will be fine.

Benchmarks in the industry say you can write 20GB a day to an 60GB SSD and it will last 5 years.

Using that as a benchmark, determine your usage of an SSD vs a magnetic drive.

 

I have a 60GB SSD I've had for about 2 years. I use it with a wndows xp and windows 7 system.

i use it pretty heavily.

It says 5300 hours of use. (7 months).

SSD life reports 73% life left. 2 years 4 months.