Large storage NAS

[Enquiries]

LAN only NAS. Own ReadyNAS Business Pro RAID5, 6x2TB, (full) & Synology DS1019+ 5x10TB RAID6 (Full). Considering QNAP TS-1655 & QNAP TVS-h1688X. I looked @ DS-3622 but Synology wants branded HDs. Plan: Populating w EXOS 24TB, RAID6. Network is currently mostly 1Gb w some 2.5GB & WiFi 7. Like that 1688 is 10G out of box (longevity w/o cost of upgrading) & comes w 32GB ECC vs 8GB non ecc. Gen 4 M.2 vs Gen 3. Gen 2 usb 3.2 vs Gen 1 on 1655. 2030 availability of 1655. Unfamiliar w QNAP OS. As I understand it, QTS is the best option to suit 1 large storage pool where that storage is increased simply adding more 24GB drives?What does expanding look like w expansion units? Any way to have a second large Raid 6 storage pool (or expand the original) using the expansion units? Suggestions for 2xNVMe & 4x2.5 SATA SSD that do well in a NAS environment? Looking & units w high TBW/DWPD. So far looked @ Intel SSD DC P4511, Samsung PM893 & Intel D3-S4610. Suggestions for RAM for 128GB ECC?

[ed]

Thanks for your detailed message! It sounds like you have a solid setup with your existing ReadyNAS and Synology units, and you're exploring some great options for expansion.

Regarding your consideration of the QNAP TS-1655 and TVS-h1688X, both are excellent choices, but they cater to slightly different needs. The TVS-h1688X indeed offers a lot of longevity with its 10GbE out of the box and the 32GB ECC RAM, making it a more future-proof option compared to the TS-1655, especially if you're looking at expanding your storage with EXOS drives in RAID 6.

As for QTS, you're correct that it's a robust operating system that allows for the easy expansion of storage pools. When you add more drives, you can simply increase your current RAID configuration. With expansion units, you can indeed have multiple large RAID pools. However, it's essential to ensure that your expansion units are compatible and supported by your NAS model. If you're planning on expanding your storage, make sure to check QNAP's documentation on their expansion units, as they usually provide detailed guidance on setting up additional pools or expanding existing ones.

For your NVMe and SATA SSD choices, here are a few suggestions that perform well in NAS environments:

NVMe SSDs:
Samsung 970 Pro: Known for its durability and performance.
Western Digital Black SN850: Excellent speed and TBW ratings.
2.5" SATA SSDs:
Samsung 860 Pro: Great performance with high endurance.
Crucial MX500: Offers good performance and is cost-effective.
For your RAM needs, when aiming for 128GB ECC, you might consider brands like Crucial or Kingston that offer ECC RAM compatible with QNAP systems. Just ensure to check the QNAP compatibility list to avoid any issues.

Given your storage requirements of 230TB, I recommend carefully planning the RAID configuration and future expansions to maintain redundancy and speed. It's also wise to factor in potential future upgrades when selecting your drives and NAS unit.