X-Raid Replace Failed Disk and optimize performance

[Labdoc1]

Question: Considering the relatively new RAID configuration 'wizard' in FW 6.10.2, is there an option to optimize performance of my system which currently uses X-RAID with 6 x 4TB disks?

Background: Running X-RAID with 6 x 4TB 5900 rpm drives. One has failed and I will replace this.The volume is only 40% full. Firmware is latest 6.10.2.  Although the Readynas Pro Pioneer is old, I have upgraded the cpu and obviously the firmware. 

Obviously, a replacement is the easiest solution - swap out the old and insert a new disk. However, I am interested in whether better performance is available if I rebuild the array from backup.

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@Labdoc1 wrote:

However, I am interested in whether better performance is available if I rebuild the array from backup.

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You could potentially look at SSD tiering (metadata-only or metadata+tiering).  That would require two slots for SSDs.

But if you have the slots, you don't need to start over - you can just switch to FlexRAID and add the tier.

Netgear has adjusted the on-disk structures (quite a while ago), so if your volume is very old, you might find you get better performance if you start fresh.

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@Labdoc1 wrote:

However, I am interested in whether better performance is available if I rebuild the array from backup.

---

You could potentially look at SSD tiering (metadata-only or metadata+tiering).  That would require two slots for SSDs.

But if you have the slots, you don't need to start over - you can just switch to FlexRAID and add the tier.

Netgear has adjusted the on-disk structures (quite a while ago), so if your volume is very old, you might find you get better performance if you start fresh.

[Sandshark]

Since the Pro Pioneer has only SATA2, I expect the gain from data tiering will be minimal.  The drive caddies also don't accept 2.5" drives natively, and there are only a few compatible adapters available.

[StephenB]

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@Sandshark wrote:

Since the Pro Pioneer has only SATA2, I expect the gain from data tiering will be minimal. 

Well, there is still 0 seek time, which will improve performance for some things (for instance data base access).

But I agree that mounting the SSDs is a problem.

[Labdoc1]

Thank you both for the pointers. I had forgotten the SATA 2 limitation. I will stick with status quo.