Upgrading TrueNAS: Easy Steps for Dual SSD Installation in RAID 1

Learn how to enhance your TrueNAS Scale server with a step-by-step guide on installing and configuring dual 500GB SSDs in RAID 1.

Upgrading TrueNAS: Easy Steps for Dual SSD Installation in RAID 1

Welcome to the first of three tutorials of my comprehensive guide on setting up a Nextcloud installation on TrueNAS Scale. In this initial segment, we start with the first steps of upgrading your TrueNAS server by installing dual 500GB SSDs (you can use any size you wish and any RAID configuration you prefer) configured in RAID 1. This upgrade ensures optimal performance and reliability for your Nextcloud environment. Following this, our second tutorial will guide you through the seamless process of setting up Nextcloud using TrueCharts, making the installation user-friendly and efficient. For those seeking advanced use cases, the final premium article will teach you the methods of securely accessing your Nextcloud server from the internet, ensuring your data's safety and accessibility from anywhere.

Please consider supporting my content by subscribing to me here, allowing me to provide easy to follow, step by step tutorials and information for beginners and students of Programming, Networking and IT.

1. Preparation

  • Tools Needed: Ensure you have a screwdriver and an anti-static wristband or some form of ESD protection for your computer components.
  • Backup Data: Always back up existing data on the server to avoid data loss. (If required)
  • Downtime Planning: Inform users about potential downtime during installation. (If Needed)

2. Installation of SSDs

  • Power Down Server: Safely shut down the server to avoid damage to the hardware or data loss. Via the TrueNAS Scale interface.
  • Open Server: Use the correct tools to open the case and any modules.
  • Install SSDs: Locate empty drive bays and securely install the SSDs, connecting them to the motherboard and power supply.
  • Close Server: Once the drives are securely installed, close the case.

3. Power On and Access TrueNAS Scale Interface

  • Power Up: Turn on the server and ensure it boots up correctly.
  • Access Web Interface: Access the TrueNAS Scale web interface from a network-connected computer.

4. Configure the Drives

  • Format Drives: Go to the Storage section, locate the new drives, and format them. This prepares the drives for use.
  • Create a Storage Pool: In the Storage section, create a new pool. Select the two new SSDs for this pool.

You need to select the available disks and click the arrow to move them to the panel containing the drives you wish to configure/pool.

5. Setting up RAID 1 (Mirror)

  • Select RAID 1: When creating the pool, choose the 'Mirror' option for RAID type.
  • RAID 1 Benefits: Provides data redundancy by mirroring data on both SSDs. If one drive fails, the other still contains all the data.
  • RAID 1 Disadvantages: Effective storage capacity is halved, as data is duplicated on both drives.

6. Apply and Test Configuration

  • Apply Settings: Confirm and apply your configuration.
  • Test Performance and Redundancy: Optionally, perform tests to ensure the array is functioning correctly. You could simulate a drive failure by temporarily disconnecting one SSD and verifying that the system continues to operate. You do not need to do this, but can be good practice to ensure RAID is setup correctly and the system recognises it as such.

Other Common RAID Formats and Their Uses

  1. RAID 0 (Striping)
    • Use: Increases performance by spreading data across multiple disks.
    • Benefits: Higher data throughput, full utilization of storage capacity.
    • Disadvantages: No redundancy; if one disk fails, all data in the array is lost.
  2. RAID 5 (Striping with Parity)
    • Use: Balances performance, storage efficiency, and data redundancy.
    • Benefits: Data and parity information are distributed across all drives. If a single drive fails, data can be reconstructed.
    • Disadvantages: Slightly reduced storage capacity due to parity, and rebuilding after a drive failure can be slow.
  3. RAID 6 (Striping with Double Parity)
    • Use: Similar to RAID 5 but with additional fault tolerance.
    • Benefits: Can withstand two simultaneous drive failures.
    • Disadvantages: Even more storage capacity is used for parity, and rebuild times are longer than RAID 5.
  4. RAID 10 (Combination of RAID 1 and RAID 0)
    • Use: Combines mirroring and striping for both redundancy and performance.
    • Benefits: High performance and data redundancy.
    • Disadvantages: Requires at least four disks and only 50% of total disk capacity is usable.

As i wrap up this first tutorial, i want to mention this is part of a series on Nextcloud. Through our next step: setting up Nextcloud using TrueCharts on your newly enhanced TrueNAS Scale server.

Your journey in creating a robust and efficient cloud environment doesn't end here. I and our community are here to support you through each tutorial in this series. For additional support, insights, and a community of like-minded enthusiasts, join me on Discord – accessible by becoming a member on our website. Your feedback and participation are invaluable in crafting these guides, and i look forward to helping you on this exciting technological quest.