Install on mirrored USB flash drives

[Peter Blanchard]

My NAS build projects are going more slowly than I would like.

I've got several USB 2 headers to dual USB socket adapters. My thinking is that multiple mirrored flash drives for TrueNAS installation is better option than SATA DOMs given I'd prefer to use SATA-3 ports for reasonably quick MLC SSDs.

 

[mrpasc]

Should work as long as you make sure to move the „system dataset“ to your ssd pool after you created it. And I’d avoid any swap partition on the usbs.
Make a backup of your configuration on a regular basis, even if the usbs all die grab some new, install base system, import your config, import your pools and call it a day.

 

[MrGuvernment]

No. Using USB drives as your boot drive for TrueNAS is no longer recommended or suggested. Sure you could do it as mrpasc noted but add in lots of backups and ways to be ready for when it fails...

Why not just use your SATA ports, use a single SSD as your boot drive and if you need more port, go buy an HBA card?

 

[Peter Blanchard]

I know that USB drives has been deprecated for boot drive for a while but that wasn't always the case. What changed?

My thinking is that boot drives don't need to be fast. USB 2 speeds are good enough. Four way mirror is easily doable.

Also thinking new old USB drives that are MLC - SLC ones have become very expensive.

On reflection, I've various matched enterprise HDDs I could use for mirrored OS drive but they are 3.5" but they would use physical space that could be used for storage density with sufficient cooling.

I've several HBAs and a SAS expander. The SAS expander has external ports. Near-line storage can live in a free 10 x 3.5" PC case.

Certified SATA DOMS are very expensive for hobbyists.

 

[SnJ9MX]

if you really want to go the USB route, get 2x USB->SATA converters for like $10 each, and some old enterprise SSDs off ebay, like the intel s3500 240gb for $13 each - SSDSC2BB240G4 Intel S3500 Series 240GB 6Gb/s SATA 2.5" SSD | eBay.

all in for $50-60 and as boot drives, they'll last forever

 

[Peter Blanchard]

Prices here in the UK are higher than the US. I've got four S3500 120GB drives. They cost me a bit more here than the price you mention but I think it's a good strategy to use SLC/MLC SSDs.

 

[MrGuvernment]

TrueNAS has lots going on with reads and writes these days, it is not about speed, but usage, it can kill USB sticks quickly.

FreeNas boot device on USB

Hello, Previously i have used FreeNas Boot device as USB. Recently i read USB to use to install but use SSD to install as boot device. Can i still use USB as boot device where FreeNas OS will reside.? I bought good 32GB USB drive to use as Boot device. Just want to make sure. Thanks,

www.truenas.com

 

[T_Minus]

Another vote for USB to SATA adapter to run real drives.

 

[Peter Blanchard]

Yeah, I think USB to SATA adapters are the way to go for me for boot drive. I have one somewhere. They are pretty cheap so buying another isn't a massive cost issue.

Can imagine a scenario with tiny hub plugged into Supermicro X10SLH-LN6TF onboard USB 3 port and mirrored SATA boot drives attached to it. It's not as if I don't have plenty of redundant SATA HDDs and SSDs doing nothing useful.