10 single NVMe’s into 1 NAS

Connection 10 M.2 NVMe 2230 – 350GB cards as NAS storage

 

Yes, you can use TrueNAS (or a similar NAS operating system) to create a large storage array out of multiple smaller NVMe drives. TrueNAS is a powerful and flexible solution that can aggregate multiple drives into a single, larger storage pool, offering features such as redundancy, performance optimization, and data protection. Here’s how you can set this up:

Steps to Create Large Storage with TrueNAS

1. Prepare Your Hardware

• NVMe M.2 Drives:

  • Ensure you have the 10 individual 250GB 2230 NVMe M.2 drives.

• NAS Hardware:

  • Use a system that supports multiple NVMe drives. This could be a custom-built NAS with a motherboard that has multiple M.2 slots or an expansion card that supports multiple NVMe drives.

2. Install TrueNAS

1. Download TrueNAS:

   • Go to the TrueNAS website and download the latest version of TrueNAS.

2. Create a Bootable USB Drive:

   • Use a tool like Rufus or Etcher to create a bootable USB drive with the TrueNAS installer.

3. Install TrueNAS:

   • Boot your NAS system from the USB drive and follow the installation instructions to install TrueNAS onto your system.

3. Set Up the Storage Pool

1. Access the TrueNAS Web Interface:

   • After installation, access the TrueNAS web interface by entering the IP address of your NAS in a web browser.

2. Create a Storage Pool:

   • Go to Storage > Pools > Add.
   • Select Create new pool.

3. Add NVMe Drives to the Pool:

   • Add your 10 NVMe drives to the new pool. You can configure them in different RAID levels depending on your needs:

     • RAID0 (Striping): Maximum capacity, no redundancy.
     • RAID1 (Mirroring): Redundancy, but only 50% of the total capacity.
     • RAIDZ1, RAIDZ2, RAIDZ3 (ZFS RAID): Offers a balance between redundancy and capacity. RAIDZ1 can tolerate one drive failure, RAIDZ2 two drive failures, and RAIDZ3 three drive failures.
     • Striped Mirrors: Combination of striping and mirroring for a balance of performance and redundancy.

4. Configure the Pool:

   • Name your pool and configure any additional settings (like compression or deduplication) as needed.

5. Confirm and Create:

   • Confirm the configuration and create the pool.

4. Set Up Shares and Services

1. Create Datasets:

   • Within your new pool, create datasets for organizing your data.

2. Set Up Sharing:

   • Configure file sharing services such as SMB (for Windows), NFS (for Unix/Linux), or AFP (for macOS).

3. Configure Access Control:

   • Set up user accounts and permissions to control access to your datasets.

Summary

By using TrueNAS, you can effectively combine your 10 individual 250GB NVMe M.2 drives into a single large storage pool. TrueNAS provides a robust and flexible solution for managing your storage, offering features like RAID configurations, data protection, and efficient storage management.

Additional Considerations

• Redundancy and Backup:

  • Decide on a RAID level that offers the balance of performance, capacity, and redundancy that you need.
  • Always have a backup strategy to protect against data loss.

• Performance:

  • NVMe drives offer high performance, but consider the limitations of your NAS hardware and network setup to avoid bottlenecks.

• Cooling and Power:

  • Ensure adequate cooling for your NVMe drives and sufficient power supply for your NAS system.

By following these steps, you can create a large, robust, and efficient storage solution using TrueNAS and your NVMe drives.

 

 

what hub or device would (inexpensively) allow me to plug in 10 2230 nmvres)

 

ChatGPT

Connecting multiple NVMe drives, especially 10 of them, requires specialized hardware. Here are some options you can consider:

Options for Connecting Multiple NVMe Drives

1. PCIe Expansion Cards

One of the most cost-effective solutions is to use PCIe expansion cards that support multiple NVMe drives. Here are some options:

1. PCIe to NVMe Adapters:

   • These adapters allow you to connect multiple NVMe drives to a single PCIe slot. Some cards support up to 4 NVMe drives each.
   • Example: ASUS Hyper M.2 x16 Card V2
   • Consider using multiple cards if your motherboard has enough PCIe slots.

2. NVMe U.2 Adapters:

   • Use U.2 adapters to connect NVMe drives via the U.2 interface, which can then be connected to a PCIe slot.
   • Example: Supermicro PCIe NVMe U.2 Adapter

2. NVMe Enclosures or Hubs

Enclosures or hubs specifically designed for NVMe drives can be used to house multiple drives and connect them to your system via USB or Thunderbolt.

1. Multi-NVMe Enclosures:

   • These enclosures support multiple NVMe drives and connect to your system via a single interface.
   • Example: Sabrent 4-Bay NVMe M.2 SSD Docking Station (DS-SC4B)

2. NVMe RAID Enclosures:

   • Some enclosures offer built-in RAID functionality for better performance and redundancy.
   • Example: TerraMaster D2-310 USB Type C External Hard Drive Enclosure RAID Storage

3. Motherboard with Multiple M.2 Slots

Some high-end motherboards come with multiple M.2 slots, allowing you to directly connect several NVMe drives.

1. High-End Motherboards:

   • Look for motherboards designed for high-performance or server use that offer multiple M.2 slots.
   • Example: ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha (E-ATX)

Combining Solutions

If you need to connect 10 NVMe drives and a single solution does not suffice, you can combine the solutions above. For example, use multiple PCIe expansion cards in a high-end motherboard.

Practical Setup Example

1. High-End Motherboard:

   • Choose a motherboard with at least 2-3 M.2 slots and multiple PCIe slots.
   • Example: ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha.

2. PCIe Expansion Cards:

   • Use two ASUS Hyper M.2 x16 Card V2 to connect 8 NVMe drives via PCIe.
   • Use the motherboard's built-in M.2 slots for the remaining drives.

3. NVMe Adapters:

   • If more slots are needed, consider using NVMe to U.2 adapters.

Summary

For connecting 10 NVMe drives, PCIe expansion cards combined with a high-end motherboard provide a cost-effective and scalable solution. Enclosures or hubs can also be used but may be more expensive. The combination of a high-end motherboard with multiple PCIe slots and expansion cards is likely the best approach for your needs.

Make sure to check compatibility and bandwidth requirements to ensure optimal performance and stability.