Questions about ZFS for a homeserver reddit / freebsd ---------------------------------------------------------------------- hilti2 · 2023-06-15 20:15 For the first time since 8.x I want to setup a new homeserver (the old one was setup back in the 8.x days and updated to every major version over the years). This time with ZFS even though the new machine has only a 120 GB SSD u/vermaden articles about ZFS Boot Environments. :-) I never used ZFS before and have no clue about it. Are there recommondations for a single disk setup? Dedicated datasets for /homr, /usr, /var and the other usual supects? And I Wonder about chapter "2.6.4. Guided Partitioning Using Root-on- ZFS" in the handbook. > Pool Type/Disks - Configure the Pool Type and the disk(s) that will constitute the pool. The automatic ZFS installer currently only supports the creation of a single top level vdev, except in stripe mode. To create more complex pools, use the instructions in Shell Mode Partitioning to create the pool. If I understand it correctly a single disk pool ist always a "stripe" and what bsdinstall is doing is the same as ``zpool create example /dev/da0``? Later in chapter "21.8. ZFS Features and Terminology" I found: > Caution > Using an entire disk as part of a bootable pool is strongly discouraged, as this may render the pool unbootable. Likewise, you should not use an entire disk as part of a mirror or RAID-Z vdev. Reliably determining the size of an unpartitioned disk at boot time is impossible and there’s no place to put in boot code. So bsdinstall uses an entire disk as part of a bootable pool and in the handbook is a warning to not do that? What did I miss? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Far_Asparagus1654 · 2023-06-15 21:28 I think the key thing here is "entire disk“ When you use the guided installer to create a 1 disk vdev, it will create several partitions on that disk. I'm walking the dogs at the moment so this is from memory but I think it's going to be more like ``create example /dev/da0p3`` I suspect, accepting the installer defaults, the first partition will be the EFI partition, the second 2G of swap, and the third your actual ZFS partition. So you aren't using an entire disk. I believe the second part of the guidance you have quoted is to avoid the situation where you use the entire disk in the zfs vdev. Then you wouldn't have a Bootable pool because the BIOS almost certainly can't read your ZFS partition. The other problem is if you attach another 120GB (in your case) disk to that vdev to create a mirror it would have to be *exactly* the same size, if it were a few sectors smaller you'd be out of luck. If you use a partition just shy of the full size of the disk you are almost certain to be able to create a partition of exactly the same size on a new 120 gigabyte disk. tl;dr: it's better to use partitions than whole disks because there no significant cost and 2 distinct benefits: bootability of pool and attachability of new device to vdev. For a single disk noob setup, just accept all the installer defaults. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quirky-Treacle-7788 · 2023-06-15 23:35 ZFS can be far more complex than what's written in the guide. You might want to check into ECC ram if you're looking to use it as well. Personally for a 120GB drive I would use UFS and call it good, but ZFS does have some advantages. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- blerzy82 · 2023-06-16 00:54 Do it! Worst case you learn some things and change your mind later. Adding a mirror should be on your short term to-do list though. Having different datasets with different properties is great, as is not needing to worry about partition sizes for different filesystems. And the list of uses for snapshots is as long as my arm. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Few_Equipment_7724 · 2023-06-16 15:04 Just install then explore it. You’ll love it for sure. Best for backup strategy, so easy. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- edthesmokebeard · 2023-06-16 16:41 >For a single disk noob setup, just accept all the installer defaults. This is the correct answer. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- hilti2 · 2023-06-17 08:24 > I suspect, accepting the installer defaults, the first partition will be the EFI partition, the second 2G of swap, and the third your actual ZFS partition. Complete forgot Boot and swap partitions. Thanks for that reminder. > For a single disk noob setup, just accept all the installer defaults. Will do that. Thanks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Maulz123 · 2023-07-24 18:11 I use xigmanas which is a free download, freebds home server package, forked from freenas original software when that was purchased and rewritten commercially. I believe That supports ZFS and a lot of other features you would want on a home server. I've been using it for a while now. https://xigmanas.com/xnaswp/