If you install OMV on a large drive it takes over the entire drive for the OS. You can partition it afterwards (which is what I have done), but when it comes time for a major version upgrade or reinstall, its going to reclaim the entire drive so you need a solution in place for that.
I don't think the power situation particularly matters whether you use a server OS or desktop OS. Just boot it up as required, which is what I do with my OMV. I'd go the server OS over a desktop OS as thats its one job.
i think in your situation you need this, with the local drive solution as well. Not sure which one is the backup/failsafe - between them your data is safer and always at hand in the event of poor internet / power loss.
I'm with you - building the NAS box with OMV has made handling my data so much easier.
Gotta say, I'm surprised by how parity works on ZFS/RAID-5. This was an informative video. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I'm taking a look now. Sounds interesting!
So, after much thought (and money spent), I've decided to go with this:
The mini PC with 7.5 TB (0.5 TB for the OS; more on that below) will be the primary local storage. It can be carried in the checked luggage.
I have a Sandisk G-Drive 12 TB (spinning disk). It's small enough to carry with me if I move permanently.This would be the secondary backup, so the slow speed won't matter much.
I think between these two local backups, plus the myriad of Samsung T5 SSDs I have, I should be safe for now. I've figured out how to upload everything to Backblaze B2, which seems to be the most cost-effective, but I'm in a money-saving mode, so I'll probably avoid uploading for now. (But if I do, I've decided it'll go to B2.)
Now, I have yet to set up the Mini PC. I'm pondering the idea of getting a tiny USB 3.1 flash drive, installing the OS on it, and keeping it plugged in at all times. This would allow me to use all 8 TBs from two m.2 SSDs. Has anyone tried this? Any gotchas I should know about?
I know it'll be a bit slow, and I'm prepared to "sacrifice" a small partition for the OS if need be, but I'm wondering if booting the OS from an always-plugged-in USB drive is a terrible idea.
I have no personal experience of this, but I know that, with OMV at least, its a supported method.
I just did a quick search on Ubuntu server, the general feeling there is that running it from usb flash is not recommended at all. But, you could partition off a small bit of your SSD and use that. Long term reliability off a flash drive is my big concern.
Makes sense. I'm not too concerned with the OS, as I suspect it'll just be a barebone install just so I can access the files on the SSD. And I don't mind reinstalling it if need be. I'm just getting eye twitches thinking one of the drives is 4 TB (before actual usable) and the other will be less. :eye-twitching-emoji-here:
I'm going to give it a try on a flash drive. Am I right in assuming that even if the drive fails and OMV is corrupt, the files on the SSD will remain accessible after a fresh installation?
I've been watching OMV installation videos, and there's a step where you set up the files/disks. If OMV is corrupt and I need to do a fresh install, will I be able to connect/mount those existing disks without having to wipe the data?
This is all considering the OMV installation is on a USB drive.
I don't know the answer to that question. It might be worth asking on their forum?
EDIT: I did a little searching this morning. What I am seeing is that, yes you can do a fresh (re)install of the system and it will pick up your drives. For extra peace of mind, people suggest unplug the drives, reinstall the system, plug the drives in. They may need remounting in the GUI.
And I don't mind reinstalling it if need be. I'm just getting eye twitches thinking one of the drives is 4 TB (before actual usable) and the other will be less. :eye-twitching-emoji-here: