Michael wrote:

On Friday 15 November 2024 05:53:53 GMT Dale wrote:

The thing about my data, it's mostly large video files.  If I were
storing documents or something, then SSD or something would be a good
option.  Plus, I mostly write once, then it either sits there a while or
gets read on occasion.

For a write once - read often use case, the SMR drives are a good solution.  
They were designed for this purpose.  Because of their shingled layers they 
provide higher storage density than comparable CMR drives.

True but I don't like when I'm told a write is done, it kinda isn't. I recall a while back I reorganized some stuff, mostly renamed directories but also moved some files. Some were Youtube videos. It took about 30 minutes to update the data on the SMR backup drive. The part I see anyway. It sat there for a hour at least doing that bumpy thing before it finally finished. I realize if I just turn the drive off, the data is still there. Still, I don't like it appearing to be done when it really is still working on it. Another thing, I may switch to RAID one of these days. If I do, that drive isn't a good option.

When I update my backups, I start the one I do with my NAS setup first. Then I start the home directory backup with the SMR drive. I then backup everything else I backup on other drives. I do that so that I can leave the SMR drive at least powered on while it does it's bumpy thing and I do other backups. Quite often, the SMR drive is the last one I put back in the safe. That bumpy thing can take quite a while at times.

This is the drive model I'm looking at. ST18000NM000J I don't think it has its own encryption or anything and is a drive that will work in my situation. I don't know what the last bits mean tho but saw somewhere that 000 means no encryption. Not sure on the J part on the end. I did find where I bought other sizes of drives with the same bit on the end. They seem to work fine, so far anyway. I order my drives from here:

https://serverpartdeals.com/

I've bought what falls into the used category and them have only a few power up hours on them. A lot of the time, it is less than 10 hours. I have seen 3 or 4 hours or less with SMART a few times.

Now to get my money saved up. Won't be long. Another $200 but lots of data.

Dale

:-) :-)