priority of speed vs iop when limted pcie lanes. also migrate server OS drives?

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1

ive got an i3 server, looking to add slog/cache/metadata vdevs as well as a storage pool for my photo thumbnails on immich. im limited by my consumer board. i have 2 gen2 3.2 usb, x1 3.0 pcie, x4 3.0 pcie, 3 3.2 gen1 usb - open on my server, 4 sata III. i also have my OS on a NVME

i have 2 vdevs - 6 wide - 12tb platters - z1. will be expanding to a 3rd vdev as space is running out

how hard is it to move truenas from NVME to USB? just ghost it? id use a 3.0 gen1 port. this would be to use a X4 nvme for cache. 1GB saberent rocket drive (have it in my desktop now) thoughts?

usb 3.2 gen2 for slog on nvme in mirror OR these two ports plus the x1 3.0 for a z1 or z2 with 3 drives?

sata ports for ssds with dram for my thumbnails.

give me your thoughts

2

I think just a 1:1 copy of the current installation will do. If you back up your config you can reinstall it from scratch and import said config.

Are you planning on using a USB stick or an SSD hooked through an adapter to install Truenas?

3

Are we talking about the OS or the pool?

you can replicate or import ZFS pools wherever you want.

OS just needs some 32GB SD Card or cheap SATA SSD and it’s fine. I run two OS via external USB SATA SSD. all fine.

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im thinking of just grabbing a nvme to usb 3.2 adapter and moving it over there as is. i was told on discord though that truenas hates usb and thus it probably wont work? idk, ill try it