A bit of dilemma with my last SATA port

[testdasi]

So with Unraid 6.9.0 multi-pool functionality, I'm planning to create 2 SATA RAID pools, 1 with 3x SSD and 1 with 4x SSD.

These pools will form the core of my NAS storage needs (i.e. not using the array anymore).

 

That leaves a single free SATA port with a few potential candidates.

• A Bluray drive
• A 10TB HDD
• An old 128GB SSD

Moreover, Unraid requires at least 1 disk in the array (kinda archaic given 6.9.0 but that's a different story for a different time) so that sort of complicates things a little.

 

What do you think I should do?

1. Use the old 128GB SSD in disk 1 via the last SATA port. This means I would be optical-less and spinner-less. My main concern is that I would suddenly need to use the Bluray for some unknown future reasons (aka "don't know what you got till it's gone").
2. Use the 10TB HDD in disk 1 (which it is currently). This means no optical (so same DKWYGTIG concern) but not spinner-less. This is sort of a "if it aint broken, don't fix it" option but the least favourite in my mind as (a) I'm keen on going fully solid state and (b) I won't be using the array so the HDD is redundant.
3. Keep the optical drive on SATA + use a SATA-USB adapter for the old 128GB SSD. This seems to be the most flexible option but I have reservation over using USB in the array but then I won't even be using the array so maybe that's fine?
4. Keep the optical drive on SATA + use a spare USB stick as disk 1. Same reservation over using USB in the array.

 

 

[ChatNoir]

It really depend on whether or not you are using the optical drive right now.

If the answer is never ... why bother ?

The answer for my usecase would be :

- the 128GB on 8th port for occasional use 

- cheap usb drive in the array (if you never use it anyway ...)