Preferred SSDs for ZFS SLOG\L2ARC

[mhammett]

I'm coming from a legacy Nexenta installation, where they had a list of supported SSDs for SLOG and L2ARC. I understand some differences between commercial software and open-source software.

I know that consumer SSDs aren't up to the task. Which types of SSDs are preferred for Proxmox ZFS installations? I've heard some good things about the Intel PCIe ones.

 

[sb-jw]

In principle, you can also consult the recommendations from Nexenta or VMware (vSAN) at any time. As a rule, Proxmox VE has no real difficulties with enterprise hardware and can therefore also be used 1:1.

Personally, I prefer the SSDs from Samsung such as the PM / SM 883, 983 or the NVMe variant.

Ultimately, it has nothing to do with open source or enterprise software.

 

[Dunuin]

Depends a bit on the use case.
For a SLOG you want a SSD with latency as low as possible and very high durability. But the SSDs doesn't have to be big. So an Enterprise SSD with SLC NAND like an Intel Optane would be the ideal choice.

If you don't plan to buy second-hand hardware these days getting some Enterprise NVMe SSDs over SATA/SAS would be a no brainer. So much faster and similar priced. The better models are U.2, U.3 or PCIe cards and not M.2. What SSD to choose highly depends on the DWPD your workload requires.

 

[mhammett]

In principle, you can also consult the recommendations from Nexenta or VMware (vSAN) at any time. As a rule, Proxmox VE has no real difficulties with enterprise hardware and can therefore also be used 1:1.

Personally, I prefer the SSDs from Samsung such as the PM / SM 883, 983 or the NVMe variant.

Ultimately, it has nothing to do with open source or enterprise software.

What I meant by enterprise vs. open-source was that enterprise support often has a limited HCL that they'll support. If it's not on that list, don't bother asking for help. Open-source is more, well, open.

 

[Dunuin]

PVE is using a Debian userspace with a modified Ubuntu kernel. So basically all hardware that is supported by Ubuntu (which is basically everything that isn't too exotic, new or old) should also work with PVE. So you for example could have a look at the Ubuntu hardware compatability lists.

 

[mhammett]

PVE is using a Debian userspace with a modified Ubuntu kernel. So basically all hardware that is supported by Ubuntu (which is basically everything that isn't too exotic, new or old) should also work with PVE. So you for example could have a look at the Ubuntu hardware compatability lists.

Right, but supported by the OS doesn't mean it is appropriate for use.

 

[LnxBil]

Right, but supported by the OS doesn't mean it is appropriate for use.

It's very simple: Proxmox VE has no hardware support at all. If you have a problem with the hardware, contact the vendor or buy other hardware. If you want "tested hardware for Proxmox VE", go to a vendor that supports exactly this, e.g. Thomas Krenn offers this.

The more exotic the hardware is - from a enterprise point of view - the lower the chance of it working. At least you have in 99% of all cases "it just works". Everything you that is x86-64 and has at least 1 GB of RAM is capable of running Proxmox VE. It will not be fast, but it'll work.

 

[mhammett]

It's very simple: Proxmox VE has no hardware support at all. If you have a problem with the hardware, contact the vendor or buy other hardware. If you want "tested hardware for Proxmox VE", go to a vendor that supports exactly this, e.g. Thomas Krenn offers this.

The more exotic the hardware is - from a enterprise point of view - the lower the chance of it working. At least you have in 99% of all cases "it just works". Everything you that is x86-64 and has at least 1 GB of RAM is capable of running Proxmox VE. It will not be fast, but it'll work.

That was less than helpful.

 

[Dunuin]

Unlike with consumer SSD where many/most of the SSDs are crap you can't do much wrong with any enterprise SSD.
Don't cheap out on storage and get the fastest + most durable + biggest SSD you can afford.

Any U.2/U.3 with 3+ DWPD and PLP should do a great job for most workloads.

 

[mhammett]

I do recall Intel 3600\3700 were recommended for different tasks (one SLOG, the other L2ARC), but it doesn't look like Intel maintained successors to them.

 

[Dunuin]

Those were using the good eMLC NAND no manufacturer is producing anymore for years. Only option these days is the worse TLC or even worser QLC NAND.