Optimizing PERC Storage Configuration for Proxmox on the R640

[thareaper]

Hello, I’m new to homelabs and recently received a Dell R640. After researching my options, I’ve decided to install Proxmox and begin building out my environment. I plan to run the server 24/7 and understand the power considerations. My initial project list includes: Home Assistant, AdGuard Home, Plex, Pi‑hole, NetBox, PBS, PVE, Radarr, Sonarr, Prowlarr, SABnzbd, qBittorrent, and a game server.

R640 Specifications:

• Intel Xeon Gold 6126 @ 2.60 GHz
• 192 GB RAM
• BOSS controller with 2 × 240 GB drives
• PERC controller with:
  • 2 × 800 GB SSDs
  • q4 × 2 TB HDDs
  • 2 × 1.2 TB HDDs

I also have a Raspberry Pi 4 running Ubuntu, connected to an enclosure with 10 × 10 TB HDDs, which I currently use as a NAS and for light scripting. I’m considering retiring the Pi and attaching the enclosure directly to the R640, but I may instead install TrueNAS on the Pi and keep it separate.

For the R640, my plan is to configure the BOSS drives in RAID 1 for Proxmox. I’m still evaluating how to best configure the remaining drives on the PERC controller for the workloads listed above. My initial thought was:

• RAID 6 for the 4 × 2 TB drives
• RAID 1 for the 800 GB SSDs
• RAID 1 for the 1.2 TB HDDs

Any recommendations or insights on optimal storage configuration for this setup would be greatly appreciated.

 

[santiagobiali]

I recommend against using Dell's hardware RAID for your homelab. Flash IT firmware in that PERC and use pass-through mode on the BOSS card.
Install Proxmox in ZFS mirror (raid1) on these 2x 240GB drives (don't use BOSS RAID).
ZFS mirror (RAID1) 2x 800GB
ZFS stripped mirror (RAID10) 4x 2TB
ZFS mirror (RAID1) 2x 1.2TB

What kind of RAID are you running on that external enclosure with 10x10TB HDDs? And what kind of external enclosure it is?
You may as well plug it into R640, it will perform way better for sure.

If the external enclosure is connected through an HBA, just create a TrueNAS VM in Proxmox and pass the whole HBA to the VM, this way TrueNAS will handle the disks.

 

[jdancer]

A better option is to avoid the PERC HBA-mode drama and get a Dell HBA330. It's a true IT-mode storage controller based on the LSI3008 chip. Real cheap to get.

Just make sure to remove any existing virtual disks prior to use and flash to latest firmware. No issues in production.