Monitor how much storage the Ubuntu server is utilizing.
Monitor how much storage the Ubuntu server is utilizing.
Hey, you have a solid setup with multiple drives. Two 120GB SSDs, two 1TB HDDs, three 3TB HDDs, and an OS on RAID 1. Your database is also on RAID 1 with two 1TB drives, while the website and apps go on RAID 5 with three 3TB drives. This configuration offers good redundancy and performance for your needs.
You're running a RAID setup with 16GB RAM (upgraded later), an E5-2630v4 processor, and no IOPS since you haven't started handling any traffic yet. Your database is currently under 5MB with only 13 users registered, and you expect minimal traffic as your website is still in development.
Use BTRFS for RAID 0/1/10 and MDZ/zFS for RAID 5/6. For the database, consider placing it on an SSD if it's compact. Later you can relocate it as needed.
I would consider using ZFS, though it could be a bit challenging to configure since it needs some command-line steps. MD is also an option but it's outdated, while ZFS offers superior data protection. You can assign the mount point on the SSD to /. With ZFS you can combine "RAID 1 (2 x 1TB HDD) RAID 5 (3 x 3TB HDD)" into a single storage pool, giving you around 7TB of usable space. Then you can set up datasets in ZFS for directories like /var and /var/www/html, which is typically where most website data resides. If needed, you can create separate datasets for /home and restrict its size. ZFS provides many useful features, and snapshots would be especially helpful. I strongly suggest researching ZFS further or watching YouTube tutorials.
Others have mentioned ZFS as a solid choice for reliable storage solutions. [Your RAM is ECC-capable? The typical guideline is 1GB of RAM per terabyte of raw storage.] Although ECC memory isn't mandatory, it's highly advised for optimal data protection. You can set up storage pools. Regarding your SSDs, avoid using your motherboard RAID setup. Instead, configure a mirrored drive arrangement for your root partition in the Ubuntu server installation settings.
I think it's not. ZFS works well without ECC memory, though ECC offers better performance but normal RAM will still function. (Avoid overclocking it.) The mirror option in the installer would be helpful. I favor ZFS over MD and ZFS together for simplicity. Another setup idea is to start with Ubuntu on one SSD, build a ZFS pool using all HDDs, and use the second SSD as a cache. This way, frequently accessed files stay on the SSD, boosting speed based on usage patterns. I own a 60GB boot SSD in my server. My ZFS pool consists of six 3TB WD Red drives split into RAID zones. One SSD serves as a cache for the second drive, storing commonly used files there. This arrangement can enhance performance depending on how the pool is utilized. I currently have a 250GB Samsung SSD for caching. When I install Linux ISO files, they load faster since they're kept in the cache instead of repeatedly accessing the HDD.
Your RAM is ECC, so you should place it on one disk, mirror it to the other, and configure ZFS for RAID 1 on the two 1TB disks (reserve them for databases when required). For your 3x3TB drive intended for programs, set up RAID 5.
It looks like you're checking in about starting something. Have you begun yet?